Evolution of Leptin Levels and Correlation with Lipidic Profile and Insulin During Normal Pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: The lipid tissue has an endocrine function, among others. It synthesizes adipocytokines that interfere pregnancy and their lack of control generates diseases. Weight gain during pregnancy generates changes in metabolisms, which directly influences on the embryo development.
Objective: To determine the behavior of the leptin level during normal pregnancy and the correlation with lipidic profile and insulin.
Methods: Fasting blood samples were taken from 73 pregnant women with normal pregnancies, the average age of 22 years, during the first, second and third trimesters, at San Marcos Hospital in Chinchiná, Colombia, from November 2017 to June 2018. Leptin levels and lipid profile, as well as insulin in blood, were determined.
Results: A statistically significant difference was obtained between the trimesters, in the values of leptin, insulin and lipid profile. A statistically significant and proportional linear association was found between insulin and cholesterol levels, and leptin levels with HDL cholesterol, but its association is very low. The rest of the variables are not correlated.
Conclusions: During normal pregnancy, leptin values are elevated, with an upward trend towards the third trimester. There is hyperinsulinemia during pregnancy, which is accentuated during the second and third trimesters. Hypertriglyceridemia occurs during pregnancy, predominantly during the second and third trimesters.No correlation was found between the behavior of leptin levels during pregnancy with the other metabolites analyzed.