Correlation Of Retinol Binding Protein4 Expression In Serum And Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue With Insulin Resistance In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Objective To investigate the correlation of the expression of retinol binding protein 4 in serum and subcutaneous adipose tissue with insulin resistance in gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods From May 2008 to April 2009,32 women with gestational diabetes mellitus who delivered in the Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, were recruited for gestational diabetes mellitus group. And 30 healthy pregnant women were taken as control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the plasma concentrations of RBP4 in these women. Radio immunity assay was used to measure the plasma levels of fasting insulin (FINS). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was measured by glucose oxidase, and calculated the home model insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to investigate the expression of RBP4 mRNA and protein in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Then correlation analysis of the expression of RBP4mRNA and protein in subcutaneous adipose tissue of the gestational diabetes mellitus group with the plasma concentrations of RBP4 and HOMA-IR were carried out. Results (1) The plasma concentrations of RBP4,FINS,FPG,HOMA-IR in gestational diabetes mellitus group (27.0±1.2) mg/L,(12.1±1.4) mU/L,(5.3±0.9) mmol/L及(2.5±0.2), were significantly higher compared with control group(19.4±1.8)mg/L,(8.3±0.8)mU/L,(4.1±0.6) mmol/L及(1.5±0.1)(P<0.05).(2)The expression of RBP4mRNA and protein in subcutaneous adipose tissue of the gestational diabetes mellitus group (0.76±0.12)and (0.74±0.09) were significantly higher than that in control group (0.53±0.06)and (0.54±0.06)(P< 0.05). (3) In gestational diabetes mellitus group, the levels of RBP4mRNA and protein in subcutaneous adipose tissue were positively correlated with HOMA—IR (r=0.575,0.851, P< 0.05); The plasma concentrations of RBP4 were positively correlated with HOMA—IR(r=0.635,P <0.05);There were no correlations of the levels of RBP4mRNA and protein in subcutaneous adipose tissue with the plasma concentrations of RBP4. Conclusions High expression of RBP4mRNA in subcutaneous adipose tissue and the elevation of the levels of serum RBP4 in gestational diabetes mellitus may be one of the mechanisms of insulin resistance.