Postpartum maternal plasma leptin levels and their relationship to gestational diabetes mellitus

UNLABELLED: Leptin is a protein hormone mainly produced by the adipocytes. Apart from its autocrine role within the placenta in humans, plasma circulating leptin contributes to the endocrine function. Leptin levels may serve as an index of metabolic and energy balance in pregnancy. Recent reports have shown a positive correlation between leptin concentrations and plasma levels of glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate leptin levels after delivery in GDM and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma leptin concentration and insulin, c-peptide and glycated haemoglobin were measured in both. NGT women and in patients with a history of GDM in all patients total LDL - and HDL cholesterol concentrations were estimated. We also calculated the anthropometric parameters of the mother and birth weight in both groups. RESULTS: The plasma leptin concentration after delivery was not different in patients with GDM in comparison with the NGT individuals. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that in patients with GDM and normal BM1 the postpartum leptin level was not different in comparison with the NGT patients.