Maternal serum xenin-25 levels in gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Xenin-25 is a polypeptide having an insulinotropic effect via increasing the insulin-releasing action of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and promoting beta cell survival and proliferation. We aimed to assess serum xenin-25 levels in euglycemic pregnancies vs. pregnancies complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty pregnancies complicated with GDM and 40 healthy pregnancies with gestational age between 24 and 28 weeks were included. Following eight hours of fasting, blood samples were drawn from the participants, and subsequently, 75 g of glucose was administered orally. Blood was drawn again 120 minutes after the glucose challenge. Serum xenin-25 levels were detected by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in maternal age, gestational age, BMI, fasting glucose, and insulin levels between the groups. Both fasting and 120th-minute xenin-25 levels were significantly higher in the GDM group when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Both the fasting and 120th-minute serum xenin-25 levels were significantly higher in women with GDM compared to healthy pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of xenin-25 were associated with gestational diabetes, and xenin-25 might be a potential marker for detecting GDM in the future.

Third trimester physiological hypercortisolemia may protect from postpartum depression and stress.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of physiological alterations in cortisol milieu on mood changes during late pregnancy and postpartum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 77 healthy pregnant subjects were prospectively evaluated after 36 weeks of gestation and at 3-4 weeks postpartum. Free cortisol (FC) was calculated using Coolen's equation and the free cortisol index (FCI) was defined as serum Total cortisol/Cortisol-binding globulin. Concurrently, status of depression, anxiety and stress were graded using Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Perceived Stress Scale. Statistical analysis was performed and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Higher FC levels during late pregnancy were associated with lower scores on stress and depression early postpartum, albeit the latter was not statistically significant. Additionally, as FCI increased during late pregnancy both the scores on stress and depression decreased during early postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: Increased cortisol levels during the latter periods of pregnancy may have long-lasting protective effects. They may enable the mother to cope with the changing and demanding conditions during postpartum.