Low apelin levels are associated with a marked increase in risk of gestational diabetes mellitus development

Year 2025, Volume: 39 Issue: 1, 1 - 10, 12.03.2025

Mehmet Ası Oktan

Abstract

Background: Apelin is an adipokine which plays a role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. Relationships between serum apelin concentrations and dysmetabolic conditions are still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of serum apelin levels with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Material and Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional research that consecutively recruited subjects with GDM (n=38), without GDM pregnant (n=41), and non-pregnant healthy women (n=39). Fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum apelin, insulin and lipids were measured. BMI and HOMA-IR were calculated for all subjects. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of GDM development.

Results: Serum apelin levels (GDM = 1.99 ± 1.36 mg/ml, non-GDM pregnant = 2.95 ± 1.36 mg/ml, non-pregnant women = 2.62 ± 1.67 mg/ml) were significantly lower (p = 0.017), HOMA-IR (p = 0.024) and BMI (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the GDM group compared with both the non-GDM and the nonpregnant women. Serum apelin levels were found to be negatively correlated with FBG (r = -0.236, p = 0.010), OGTT 1 h glucose (r = -0.346, p = 0.002) & 2 h glucose (r = -0.248, p = 0.028), HbA1c (r = -0.209, p = 0.023), HOMA-IR (r= -0.360, p < 0.001) and BMI (r = -0.299, p = 0.001).

Conclusions: Serum apelin levels were significantly lower in the GDM group as compared with both the non-GDM pregnant and the non-pregnant healthy women. Low apelin levels appear to be an independent predictor of GDM development.

Keywords

GDM, Apelin, HOMA-Ir, HbA1c

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