Purpose The present study aimed to assess the role of adipocytokines as predictive markers of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We undertook this study to explore the association of adiponectin, resistin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and insulin resistance in the development of GDM. Methods This longitudinal descriptive study was done in the Medical College Hospital, involving the departments of Biochemistry and Gynecology. The study subjects were pregnant women with normal body mass index. They were recruited at 12-14 weeks of gestation, The healthy pregnant women were selected and were followed at 24-28 weeks for screening of GDM. The participants were categorized as healthy and GDM based on oral glucose tolerance test results. Blood samples were collected on both the occasions at 12-14 weeks and 24-28 weeks. The serum samples were analyzed for levels of insulin, adiponectin, resistin, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated from serum insulin and plasma glucose values. ResultsThe levels of HOMA-IR, resistin, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly higher and level of adiponectin was significantly lower in GDM subjects in comparison to healthy pregnant women, when compared both at 12 weeks and 24 weeks. The levels of resistin, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly higher and level of adiponectin was lower at 24 weeks in comparison to 12 weeks, in the healthy pregnant women as well as those with GDM . Conclusions Significant difference in the levels of adipocytokines between the healthy and GDM pregnant women suggest potential clinical application of these molecules as biomarkers of GDM. The increase or decrease in the levels of adipocytokines during the course of pregnancy in GDM subjects suggests their role in GDM and potential use as predictive markers.

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Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and disability across the world. Dyslipidemia, and more specifically, elevated LDL-C has been historically attributed to be one of the key modifiable risk factors associated with atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine LDL-C and sdLDL-C, for establishment of their predictive value in the development of CVDs, in order for them to be used as clinical tools to guide the management of CVDs. Material and Methods: One hundred sixty-two (162) serum samples sent for the analysis of lipid profile parameters were studied, which were classified into tests and controls based on the values of calculated LDL-C obtained by Friedewald formula. These samples were then anonymized, and direct LDL-C was estimated using assay kits automatically. Then, sdLDL-C was calculated for all the samples using the arithmetic formula. After a period of six months, the samples were then deanonymized, and the various laboratory lipid profile parameters were correlated with the clinical outcomes in the form of cardiovascular events in the patients, to find out which parameter showed the best correlation.Results: It was observed from the present study that, neither calculated LDL-C (p=0.468) nor direct LDL-C (p=0.615) could be used singly as potential marker for the occurrence of a cardiovascular event in the immediate future. The calculated sdLDL-C also failed to demonstrate any such significance (0.642). Instead, the % sdLDL-C, both with respect to calculated and direct LDL-C, proved to be of higher predictive value. Conclusions:It can be concluded that LDL-C levels alone or the levels of its individual phenotypes cannot be singly used as surrogate markers suggestive of occurrence of any CVDs in the immediate future.