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Dietary sucrose intake is related to serum leptin concentration in overweight pregnant women

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Abstract

Background

Overweight, characterized by low-degree systemic inflammation, predisposes women to impaired glucose metabolism during pregnancy. Adipokine leptin participates in the regulation of energy balance and immune action.

Aims of the study

Objective of the study was to evaluate if aberrations in glucose metabolism during pregnancy are related to leptin concentration and whether serum leptin concentration is affected by diet composition.

Subjects and methods

Normal-weight (n = 61) and overweight or obese (BMI > 25, n = 42) pregnant women visited study clinic at third trimester of pregnancy and one month postpartum. Serum fasting leptin and insulin as well as plasma glucose concentrations were measured, insulin resistance (HOMA) and sensitivity (QUICKI) calculated, and dietary intake from food records determined.

Results

In overweight women leptin concentration was significantly higher both in pregnancy, 45.27 (95% CI 39.40–51.14) ng/ml, and postpartum, 31.84 (27.38–36.30) ng/ml, than in normal-weight women, 31.09 (95% CI 27.80–34.37) ng/ml and 16.23 (13.93–18.53) ng/ml, respectively. Equally, blood glucose concentration during pregnancy was higher, 4.82 (4.67–4.97)mmol/l, and insulin concentration, 15.34 (12.00–18.68) mU/l, more pronounced in overweight compared to normal-weight women, 4.51 (4.42–4.61) mmol/l and 8.28 (7.21–9.36) mU/l, respectively. Significantly higher HOMA and lower QUICKI were also detected in overweight compared to normal-weight women. At third trimester of pregnancy, leptin concentration correlated positively with insulin concentration in normal-weight (r = 0.561, P = 0.002) and overweight women (r = 0.736, P < 0.001), as well as with HOMA (r = 0.568, P = 0.002 and r = 0.731, P < 0.001, respectively) whereas negative association was found with QUICKI in normal-weight (r = −0.484, P = 0.011) and overweight women (r = −0.711, P < 0.001). Importantly, serum leptin concentration was affected by dietary sucrose intake both as quantitatively (r = 0.424, P = 0.009) and relative to energy intake (r = 0.408, P = 0.012) in overweight but not in normal-weight pregnant women.

Conclusions

Overweight-related elevation in serum leptin is associated with impaired regulation of glucose metabolism during pregnancy. The novel finding that dietary sucrose intake is related to serum leptin concentration is in line with the current dietary recommendations to overweight pregnant women with impaired glucose metabolism advising the lower intake of sucrose during pregnancy.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, the Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Juho Vainio Foundation, and the Academy of Finland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Functional Foods Forum, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland

    Sanna Vähämiko & Kirsi Laitinen

  2. Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Erika Isolauri

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Drug Development and Therapeutics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Ullamari Pesonen

  4. TYKSLAB, Hospital District of Southwest Finland, Turku, Finland

    Pertti Koskinen

  5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland

    Ulla Ekblad

  6. Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Sanna Vähämiko & Kirsi Laitinen

  7. Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland

    Kirsi Laitinen

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  1. Sanna Vähämiko
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  2. Erika Isolauri
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Correspondence to Sanna Vähämiko.

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Vähämiko, S., Isolauri, E., Pesonen, U. et al. Dietary sucrose intake is related to serum leptin concentration in overweight pregnant women. Eur J Nutr 49, 83–90 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-009-0052-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-009-0052-8

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