Correlation of metabolic characteristics with maternal, fetal and placental asprosin in human pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: Asprosin is a recently discovered hormone associated with obesity and diabetes mellitus. Little is known about asprosin’s role during pregnancy, but a contribution of asprosin to pregnancy complications resulting from maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are conceivable. We assessed potential effects of obesity, GDM and other clinical parameters on maternal and fetal umbilical plasma asprosin concentrations and placental asprosin expression. Methods: We studied maternal and fetal umbilical plasma and placentas of pregnant women with an elective, primary section. Sandwich ELISA measurements of maternal and fetal umbilical plasma and immunohistochemical stainings of placental tissue were performed to determine asprosin levels. Also, the relation between asprosin levels and clinical blood parameters was studied. Results: There was a strong correlation between maternal and fetal plasma asprosin levels and both increased with GDM in normal-weight and obese women. In the correlation study, BMI and GDM were not but pre-pregnancy exercise and smoking were correlated with maternal and/or fetal asprosin levels. Asprosin immunoreactivity was measured in cultivated placental cells and placental tissue. Placental asprosin levels were associated with maternal but not with fetal plasma asprosin levels and with BMI but not with GDM. Placental asprosin was related to maternal insulin levels and increased upon insulin-treatment in GDM patients. Conclusions: Asprosin could potentially act as a biomarker and contribute to the clinical manifestation of pregnancy complications associated with maternal obesity.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Association of cord blood asprosin concentration with atherogenic lipid profile and anthropometric indices

“…A study by Hoffmann et al . 2022 on 247 umbilical plasma samples reported that there was no significant correlation between BW and BL with asprosin concentration [ 24 ].…”

Asprosin in health and disease, a new glucose sensor with central and peripheral metabolic effects

“…Notably, this study reported significant asprosin concentrations in maternal and fetus plasma in non-smoking obese and normal-weight mothers with GDM (22). Interestingly, there was a direct correlation between maternal plasma asprosin amount and the number of exercises per week during pregnancy (22). Asprosin levels were also found significantly higher in the umbilical cord blood of pregnant women with maternal obesity than in the normal weight control group with no difference in maternal asprosin concentrations (92).…”

“…Recent studies reported measurable amounts of asprosin in different body fluids such as saliva, breast milk, urine, serum, and plasma ( 18 – 20 ). Interestingly, asprosin was found to be expressed in the ovaries, placenta and human cartilage ( 19 , 21 , 22 ). A strong correlation was reported between serum asprosin levels and a specific marker for cartilage degradation termed cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in patients subjected to total hip replacement surgery ( 19 ).…”

“…In addition, maternal-related pathologies such as preeclampsia (PE) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are closely related to pre-gestational and gestational obesity ( 84 , 85 ). Few published studies have addressed the role of asprosin during pregnancy and other gynecologic disorders ( Table 5 ) ( 22 ). Asprosin concentration showed a possible impact on the incidence of diabetes developed during gestation.…”

“…found in a placenta cohort study on 247 pregnant females a strong correlation between different metabolic parameters (obesity and GDM) and asprosin plasma levels and distribution in placental cells and tissues ( 22 ). Notably, this study reported significant asprosin concentrations in maternal and fetus plasma in non-smoking obese and normal-weight mothers with GDM ( 22 ). Interestingly, there was a direct correlation between maternal plasma asprosin amount and the number of exercises per week during pregnancy ( 22 ).…”