ABSTRACT
In the present study, we evaluated serum levels of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and the expression of RBP4, glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) mRNA (using quantitative real time-PCR) in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and placental tissue obtained from patients with gestational diabetes (GDM) and healthy pregnant women. Serum RBP4 concentrations and its expression in SAT were higher in the women with GDM than in the controls (p = 0.03). No association between serum or tissue RBP4 and the indices of insulin resistance was noted. In the GDM group serum RBP4 correlated with its mRNA expression in SAT (r = 0.67, p = 0.007). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that RBP4 mRNA expression in SAT was independently predicted by GLUT4 mRNA expression (ß= 0.59, p = 0.003) and the presence of GDM (ß=0.46, p = 0.01), whereas RBP4 mRNA expression in VAT was related to PPARγ mRNA expression (ß= 0.64, p = 0.0003) and the patient's age (ß= -0.38, p = 0.03). In conclusion, our results suggest that the elevated expression of RBP4 in SAT may contribute to the increase in circulating RBP4 in GDM subjects.
Subject(s)
Adipose Tissue/metabolism , Diabetes, Gestational/blood , Diabetes, Gestational/genetics , Placenta/metabolism , Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma/genetics , Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma/metabolism , Adipose Tissue/pathology , Adult , Blood Chemical Analysis , Diabetes, Gestational/metabolism , Female , Glucose Transporter Type 4/genetics , Glucose Transporter Type 4/metabolism , Humans , Intra-Abdominal Fat/metabolism , PPAR gamma/genetics , PPAR gamma/metabolism , Placenta/pathology , Pregnancy , RNA, Messenger/analysis , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma/analysis , Subcutaneous Fat/metabolismABSTRACT
AIMS AND METHODS: Apelin is a novel adipokine identified as an endogenous ligand of the G protein-coupled receptor APJ. In this study we compared plasma apelin concentrations in 101 patients with gestational diabetes (GDM) and 101 women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) between 24 and 32 weeks of gestation (Group 1), as well as in 20 women with GDM and 16 subjects with NGT at term (Group 2). Apelin and APJ mRNA expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and placental tissue were also measured in Group 2, using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in plasma apelin levels between the women with GDM and NGT (Group 1: 1555.6 [1281.2-1804.2]pg/ml vs 1656.5 [1430.2-1852.1]pg/ml, Group 2: 1607.9 [1453.4-1768.7]pg/ml vs 1493.8 [1316.8-1956.7]pg/ml) nor in apelin and APJ mRNA expression in SAT, VAT and placental tissue. Apelin mRNA expression was approximately 10 fold higher in placental than in adipose tissue (p<0.0001). Apelin and APJ mRNA expression correlated significantly in SAT (R=0.45, p=0.03), VAT (R=0.69, p=0.003) and placental tissue (R=0.37, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: No associations between circulating apelin or apelin/APJ mRNA expression and GDM or the indices of insulin resistance were noted in our study.
Subject(s)
Diabetes, Gestational/genetics , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/blood , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics , Adipose Tissue/metabolism , Adult , Apelin , Apelin Receptors , Female , Glucose Tolerance Test , Humans , Insulin Resistance/genetics , Parity , Placenta/metabolism , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, Second , Pregnancy Trimester, Third , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Reference Values , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methodsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The study aim was to establish conditions for stabilization the activity of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP-1) in stored urine. DESIGN AND METHODS: The FBP-1 was determined by the method Kepka et. al in a collected fraction of purified urine. RESULTS: EDTA and mercaptoethanol stabilized FBP-1 activity in stored urine. CONCLUSION: At optimal conditions urine may be stored up to 7 days at a temperature of 4 degrees C.
