The genetic polymorphisms and levels of adipokines and adipocytokines that influence the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus in Thai pregnant women

Abstract

Introduction: Aberrant immune and inflammatory response is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Objective: To investigate the genetic polymorphisms and levels of adipokines/adipocytokines that influence the risk of developing GDM in Thai women. Research design & methods: This case-control recruited 400 pregnant Thai women. A total of 12 gene polymorphisms at ADIPOQ, adipsin, lipocalin-2, PAI-1, resistin, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-17A, TGF-β, IL-10, IL-6, and TNF-α were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay and RNase H2 enzyme-based amplification (rhAmp) SNP assay. Serum levels of adipokines/adipocytokines were evaluated using Luminex assays. Results: Mean age, weight before and during pregnancy, body mass index before and during pregnancy, blood pressure, gestational age at blood collection, and median 50 g glucose challenge test were significantly higher in GDM women than control. Significantly lower adiponectin and higher IL-4 levels were found in GDM compared to controls (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively). The genotype frequencies of IL-17A (rs3819025) were significantly different between GDM and controls (p = 0.01). Using additive models, IL-17A (rs3819025) and. TNF-α (rs1800629) were found to be independently associated with increased risk of GDM (odds ratio [OR]: 2.867; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.171–7.017; p = 0.021; and OR: 12.163; 95 %CI: 1.368–108.153; p = 0.025, respectively). In GDM with IL-17A (rs3819025), there was a significant negative correlation with lipocalin-2 and PAI-1 levels (p = 0.038 and p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the need for genetic testing to predict/prevent GDM, and the importance of evaluating adipokine/adipocytokine levels in Thai GDM women.