Plasma lipocalin-2 levels in pregnancy

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate plasma levels of lipocalin-2, which is a novel adipokine associated with obesity and insulin resistance, in pregnant women. Design. Prospective casecontrol study. Setting. University hospital. Population. Pregnant women with pre-pregnancy body mass index >25kg/m2 (overweight; n=29) and body mass index <25kg/m2 (n=27), whose gestational ages were between 24 and 28weeks, as study groups and nonpregnant control women with body mass index <25kg/m2 (n=29). Methods. Plasma lipocalin-2 levels, fasting plasma glucose and fasting plasma insulin levels; homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index and fasting plasma glucose/fasting plasma insulin ratio were measured for each subject. Main Outcome Measures. Comparisons among the groups and correlations for lipocalin-2 and the parameters of insulin resistance. Results. Plasma lipocalin-2 levels among the pregnant women were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.001 for both group comparisons). Lipocalin-2 levels were significantly higher in the group with pre-pregnancy body mass index >25kg/m2 compared with the group with pre-pregnancy body mass index <25kg/m2 (p=0.003). Lipocalin-2 levels were positively correlated with homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index and fasting plasma insulin and negatively correlated with fasting plasma glucose/fasting plasma insulin ratio in both pregnant groups. Conclusions. Lipocalin-2 was found to be higher in pregnant women, especially when pre-pregnancy body mass index was >25kg/m2, and it was correlated with markers of insulin resistance.