Increased Plasma Levels of FABP4 and PTEN are Associated with More Severe Insulin Resistance in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and insulin resistance in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Material/Methods: Plasma FABP4 and PTEN were determined by ELISA in GDM patients (GDM group, n=30) and in euglycemic pregnant women (control group, n=30). The clinical features, body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model as-sessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and lipid profiles were compared between the 2 groups. The influ-ence of risk factors on insulin resistance, including BMI, lipid profiles, FABP4, and PTEN, were further investi-gated by multiple-factor stepwise regression analysis. Results: Higher levels of BMI, DBMI, triglyceride (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour plasma glucose (2hPG), fast-ing insulin, HOMA-IR, FABP4, PTEN, and lower level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were found in the GDM patients than in the controls (all P<0.005). The plasma FABP4 was 1.47±0.25 vs. 0.20±0.07 ng/ml in the GDM and control group, respectively (P<0.0001). Plasma PTEN was 6.46±1.57 vs. 4.72±0.82 ng/ml in the GDM and control group, respectively (P<0.0001). There was a positive relation between plasma FABP4 and PTEN when all blood samples, including GDM and control groups, were analyzed (P<0.05). The multiple-factor regression analysis revealed that plasma FABP4, TG, and PTEN were independent risk factors for increased in