Objective    To investigate the mRNA and protein levels of adiponectin

adiponectin receptors

PPAR-γ and IL-6 in placental tissues from pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).     Methods    Pregnant women with identified GDM (n=20) and matched women with normal glucose tolerance (CON

n=20) who admitted in our department from February  to December 2010 were recruited for this study. They all received cesarean and their blood samples and placental tissues were collected. Automatic biochemical analyzer was used to examine serum biochemical parameters. Quantitative real time PCR was used to analyze placental adiponectin (APN)

adiponectin receptors (Adipo-R)

peroxisome proliferatoR-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ)

and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA levels; Western blot assay was applied to test placental PPAR-γ and IL-6 protein levels.     Results    Compared with CON group

APN mRNA was significantly decreased in GDM group (1.08±0.11 vs 0.68±0.09

t=2.79

P0.05)

Adipo-R2 was significantly increased (1.03±0.11 vs 2.29±0.42

t=0.29

P0.05)

but that of Adipo-R1 had no change (1.06±0.09 vs 1.13±0.11

t=0.48

P0.05). PPAR-γ mRNA and protein levels were significantly lower (1.02±0.16 vs 0.61±0.09

t=2.28; 1.00±0.05 vs 0.53±0.06

t=5.31; P0.05). IL-6 mRNA and protein were significantly increased (1.07±0.10 vs 2.64±0.43

t=3.55; 1.00±0.05 vs 2.26±0.22

t=5.51

P0.05). APN mRNA was negatively correlated with fasting insulin levels and IL-6 mRNA expression and protein levels (r=-0.39

r=-0.60

r=-0.70

P0.05)

but positively correlated with PPAR-γ mRNA and protein (r=0.59

r=0.60

P0.05).     Conclusion      Local changes of adiponectin in GDM placenta may be involved in insulin resistance. These changes are positively correlated with PPAR-γ expression

but negatively with IL-6 expression.