Elevated levels of chemerin, leptin, and interleukin-18 in gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective: We aimed to assess the levels of adipokine and their relation to gestational diabetic related clinical phenotypes and fetal growth parameters.MATERIAL AND Methods: International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study criteria was used to classify gestational diabetic cases (n=208) and euglycemic controls (n=300). ELISA assays were performed for insulin, chemerin, leptin, and interleukin-18 (IL-18). Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square/Fisher exact test, multiple regression analyses, and ROC curves were applied with significant p values of \u3c0.05.Results: Levels of chemerin, IL-18, and leptin were seven-, four-, and five-folds higher in cases versus controls, respectively (p\u3c0.01). The adipokine showed strong positive correlation with fasting blood glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and fetal weight (p\u3c0.01). Odds of GDM association remained significant for chemerin (OR 1.522; 1.097-2.110) and leptin (OR 2.579; 1.503-4.425) while all associations were lost for IL-18 (p\u3e0.05) after multiple adjustments. Raised chemerin levels were identified in 96% cases (n=201) employing the proposed cut off value\u3e15.49ng/ml.CONCLUSION: High chemerin and leptin levels are seen in GDM which may be associated with subclinical inflammation suggesting a role in development of insulin resistance