Sex dimorphism in the associations of gestational diabetes with cord blood adiponectin and retinol-binding protein 4.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Gestational diabetes (GD) is associated with impaired insulin sensitivity in newborns. Adiponectin and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP-4) are involved in regulating insulin sensitivity. Females are more likely to develop diabetes at young ages than males. We tested the hypothesis that GD may affect RBP-4 and adiponectin levels in early life, and there may be sex-dimorphic associations.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS:

In a nested case-control study of 153 matched pairs of neonates of mothers with GD and euglycemic pregnancies in the Shanghai Birth Cohort, we evaluated cord plasma leptin, high molecular weight (HMW) and total adiponectin and RBP-4 concentrations.

RESULTS:

Comparing GD versus euglycemic pregnancies adjusted for maternal and neonatal characteristics in female newborns, cord plasma total adiponectin (mean±SD: 30.8±14.3 vs 37.1±16.1 µg/mL, p=0.048) and HMW adiponectin (14.6±7.7 vs 19.3±8.3 µg/mL, p=0.004) concentrations were lower, while RBP-4 concentrations were higher (21.7±5.4 vs 20.0±4.8 µg/mL, p=0.007). In contrast, there were no differences in male newborns (all p>0.2). RBP-4 concentrations were higher in female versus male newborns (21.7±5.4 vs 18.8±4.5 µg/mL, p<0.001) in GD pregnancies only. HMW adiponectin concentrations were significantly higher in female versus male newborns in euglycemic pregnancies only (19.3±8.3 vs 16.1±7.4 µg/mL, p=0.014).

CONCLUSIONS:

GD was associated with lower cord plasma HMW adiponectin and higher RBP-4 concentrations in female newborns only. The study is the first to reveal a sex-dimorphic early life impact of GD on metabolic health biomarkers in the offspring. GD may alter the normal presence (HMW adiponectin) or absence (RBP-4) of sex dimorphism in some insulin sensitivity regulation-relevant adipokines in early life.

• Authors: Meng-Nan Yang, Huei-Chen Chiu, Wen-Juan Wang, Fang Fang, Guang-Hui Zhang, Hong Zhu, Lin Zhang, Dan-Li Zhang, Qinwen Du, Hua He, Rong Huang, Xin Liu, Fei Li, Jun Zhang, Fengxiu Ouyang, Xiaolin Hua, Zhong-Cheng Luo
• Journal: BMJ open diabetes research & care (BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care) Vol. 8 Issue 1 (09 2020) ISSN: 2052-4897 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32973071 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Chemical References

• Adiponectin

Topics

• Adiponectin
• Case-Control Studies
• China
• Diabetes, Gestational
• Female
• Fetal Blood
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Pregnancy
• Sex Characteristics