The Relationship between Retinol-Binding Protein 4 Concentrations and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Women

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: Seventy-six women with and without GDM were recruited. Their blood samples were collected to detect RBP4, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (Fins), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) levels. Results: RBP4 (21.42 ± 3.846 vs. 39.08 ± 8.293 μg/ml), FPG, Fins, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HbA_1c, and TG levels were higher, while HDL levels were lower in women with GDM (p < 0.01). In healthy controls, RBP4 concentrations were positively correlated with HOMA-IR and TG and inversely correlated with FPG and HDL (p < 0.05). Serum concentrations of RBP4 in women with GDM were inversely correlated with TC and positively correlated with maternal weight gain during pregnancy (p < 0.05). The ROC curve was drawn with a correct rate of 93.4%. Conclusions: Concentrations of serum RBP4 were significantly higher in women with GDM, suggesting that elevated RPB4 level may play a role in the pathogenesis of GDM. Meanwhile, RBP4 might be a good predictor of GDM. RBP4 is correlated with TG and HDL, indicating that RBP4 plays a role in alterations of lipid metabolism in pregnant women.

A Prospective Study of Maternal Plasma Concentrations of Retinol-Binding Protein 4 and Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

“…Similarly, Su et al [12] also reported that serum RBP4 levels are significantly increased in pregnancy. Furthermore, consistent with our findings, previous studies confirmed that patients with GDM had higher median plasma concentration of RBP4 than normal pregnant women [1,12,22,[34][35][36]. However, other studies found that there were no significant differences in serum RBP4 between the controls and those that developed GDM group [14,37,38].…”

“…A previous metaanalysis supported the hypothesis that RBP4 was a modest independent risk factor for GDM [21]. Similarly, another study confirmed that RBP4 might be a good predictor of GDM [22]. However, another study suggested that Asian women with GDM had increased circulating RBP4 levels in their second/third trimester [23].…”

Association between retinol-binding protein 4 concentrations and gestational diabetes mellitus (A1GDM and A2GDM) in different pregnancy and postpartum periods

“…Previous studies were not consistent with reference to the relationship between RBP4, FINS and HOMA-IR. Du et al (22) have shown that RBP4 is highly correlated with HOMA-IR in normal group, while there was no correlation in the GDM group; nevertheless, the number of included patients was small (38 cases were included in the GDM group). In the present study, there was no relationship among age, BMI and RBP4 (P>0.05).…”

Relationships of SLC2A4, RBP4, PCK1, and PI3K Gene Polymorphisms with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Chinese Population

“…Researchers have found that the levels of SLC2A4 in adipocytes of pregnant women with GDM were lower than those of normal pregnant women [6, 7]. Studies of RBP4 have suggested that the levels of RBP4 mRNA and serum RBP4 in adipocytes of pregnant women with GDM were higher than those of normal pregnant women with similar BMI [8–19]. Studies of PI3K have suggested that reducing PI3K levels can reduce the expression level of TRPM6 on the cell membrane and increase the risk of GDM [20].…”