Differential apelin mRNA expression in placenta of women with gestational diabetes (GDM)

The percentage of pregnancies accompanied by gestational diabetes (GDM) is increasing globally. Also, GDM and the associated disturbances in maternal lipid metabolism are shown to have negative impacts on maternal and fetal long term health. In normoglycemic women (NGT), the pancreas can compensate for the reduction in insulin sensitivity being present in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. However in GDM, the compensatory beta cell response is absent. It is proposed that adipokines, also released from the placenta might lead to reduced compensatory effects of the beta cells. In our clinical PREG study at the IDM in…