The protein density of ARHGEF11 and ROCK1 was positively correlated with birth weight (p < .001) in the NGT groups. p-Y612, PI3K, pAKT and GLUT4 were significantly decreased in NGT-M, GDM-N and GDM-M group (p < .05).
Morphometric analysis revealed a significant increase in the expression of GLUT-4 and GLUT-9 in insulin-dependent diabetic women (GDMG2 + PGDM) as compared to both, control and GDMG1 groups (p < .05).
In the placental tissue of non-obese women, there was a decrease in expression of SHBG protein and mRNA, with a concurrent decrease in expression of GLUT-4 protein and mRNA in women with GDM compared with normal controls.
Stepwise regression analysis revealed that RBP4 mRNA expression in SAT was independently predicted by GLUT4 mRNA expression (β= 0.59, p = 0.003) and the presence of GDM (β=0.46, p = 0.01), whereas RBP4 mRNA expression in VAT was related to PPARγ mRNA expression (β= 0.64, p = 0.0003) and the patient's age (β= -0.38, p = 0.03).
Adipocyte defects in GDM consistent with abnormalities in GLUT 4-vesicle traffic have implications with respect to potential mechanisms of insulin resistance in human muscle.