Circulating progranulin levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and healthy controls during and after pregnancy

ObjectiveProgranulin (PGRN) was recently introduced as a novel marker of chronic inflammatory response in obesity and type 2 diabetes capable of directly affecting the insulin signaling pathway. This study aimed to investigate the role of PGRN in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is regarded as a model for early type 2 diabetes.MethodsPGRN serum levels were measured in 90 pregnant women (45 GDM and 45 normal glucose tolerance (NGT)). In addition, PGRN was measured during a 2-h, 75 g oral glucose tolerance test in 20 pregnant women (ten GDM and ten NGT) and in 16 of them post partum (ten GDM and six NGT).ResultsPGRN concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant women compared with post partum levels (536.79±31.81 vs 241.53±8.86, P