Evaluation of the adipokine levels of pregnant women with preeclampsia

Abstract

Aim:The aim of this study was to compare maternal blood and umbilical-cord leptin, spexin and visfatin levels during delivery in severe preeclampsia (PE) with controls, and to evaluate whether any clinical or demographic variables had independent associations with them. Methods: This is a case-controlled observational study consisting of 45 pregnant women with severe PE and a control group consisting of gestational age-matched 45 healthy pregnant women. We examined the leptin, spexin, and visfatin levels in serum samples taken from maternal blood and umbilical cords during cesarean section in both groups. Leptin, spexin, and visfatin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The maternal leptin and visfatin levels were significantly higher and the maternal spexin levels were significantly lower in the PE group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Similar to the maternal adipokine levels, the umbilical-cord leptin and visfatin levels were significantly higher and the spexin levels were significantly lower in the PE group (p < 0.001). We found a significant positive correlation between maternal body mass index and maternal blood and umbilical-cord serum leptin and visfatin levels in both groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion:The leptin, spexin and visfatin levels were significantly altered in the nondiabetic preeclamptic women in our study. We believe that the main reason for these changes may be the hypoxic placenta to protect the fetus and maintain its nutrition.

The Mother–Child Dyad Adipokine Pattern: A Review of Current Knowledge

“…This review summarizes the findings of 47 studies concerning the adipokine levels in at least two different biological fluids of maternal–infant dyads and includes all possible different sets of biological fluids: maternal and cord plasma, neonate/infant plasma, milk, and placental tissues, for both physiological and disturbed pregnancy and lactation. The current state of knowledge clearly indicates the possible impact of the maternal hyperglycemic status [ 113 , 118 , 131 , 139 , 143 , 146 , 148 , 151 ], preeclampsia [ 77 , 123 , 124 , 134 , 152 ], preterm delivery [ 119 ], and fetal growth restrictions [ 115 , 122 ] on the quantitative profile of adipokines important for energy homeostasis, the regulations of metabolism, and fat tissue.…”

“…The knowledge concerning the leptin level in maternal–infant dyads, similar to adiponectin, is fragmentary. So far, only nine reports have presented data on the leptin levels for two different biological samples (maternal and cord plasma) [ 77 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 ], and two simultaneously characterize the leptin status in three different biological fluids: maternal plasma, cord plasma, and milk ( Table 3 ) [ 113 , 119 ].…”

“…However, the associations between the cord serum leptin level, placental weight, and anthropometric data such as newborns’ head circumference, length, and weight at birth were found [ 122 ]. The latest study by Gök’s group [ 123 ] showed that the maternal and cord leptin levels were significantly higher for pre-eclamptic mothers (21.7 ng/mL and 11.5 ng/mL, respectively) in comparison to the physiological pregnancy (4.4 ng/mL and 3.3 ng/mL, respectively), and additionally, a positive correlation between the maternal and cord serum leptin levels and maternal BMI for both cohorts was identified [ 123 ].…”

“…The literature concerning the visfatin level in maternal–infant dyads include five reports, which present the data for two different biological samples [ 122 , 123 , 129 , 144 , 145 ] and one for three different biological fluids, namely maternal serum, umbilical cord blood, and placental tissue [ 143 ] ( Table 3 ).…”

“…However, no associations between maternal and cord serum and the newborn’s anthropometric measurements such as birth weight ( Table 3 ) were detected [ 122 ]. The latest report by Gök and coworkers [ 123 ] noted that the maternal and cord visfatin levels were significantly higher for pre-eclamptic mothers (3.0 ng/mL and 3.6 ng/mL, respectively) in comparison to the normal pregnancy group (0.6 ng/mL and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively), and additionally, positive correlations between the maternal and cord serum visfatin levels and maternal BMI for both cohorts were found [ 123 ].…”