Maternal serum and fetal cord blood irisin levels in gestational diabetes mellitus

Aim

To investigate the relationship between maternal and cord blood irisin in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods

Twenty women with GDM and 20 pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies were recruited for this case–control study. Maternal serum irisin and cord blood irisin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit at the time of birth. The association of maternal serum and cord blood irisin levels with metabolic parameters was analyzed.

Results

Women with GDM had significantly lower mean serum irisin levels compared to control group (258.3 ± 127.9 vs. 393 ± 178.9 ng/ml, p < 0.05). Mean cord blood irisin levels for GDM and control groups were not significantly different (357.2 ± 248.0 vs. 333.2 ± 173.4 ng/ml, p > 0.05). No significant differences were found in terms of maternal age, gestational week at birth, BMI at birth, birth weight, neonatal height, systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the groups as well (p > 0.05). Serum irisin level was negatively correlated with BMI at birth and HOMA-IR (r = −0.401, p = 0.010; r = −0.395, p = 0.012, respectively). No correlations between irisin levels and others parameters were found in both groups.

Conclusions

Maternal serum irisin levels of patients with GDM are significantly lower compared with non-GDM controls. However, no significant difference was found between cord blood irisin levels of patients with GDM and healthy pregnant women.