Effect of macrophage migration inhibitory factor on insulin resistance and islet β-cell function in gestational diabetes mellitus

To study the level of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in serum and the expression of MIF mRNA in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue,and to investigate its impact on insulin resistance and islet β-cell dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).120 pregnancy women from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College and Taian Central Hospital were enrolled,including 60 GDM women and 60 women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT).The serum MIF in GDM group was higher than that of NGT group [(3.58±1.02 vs 1.23±0.62) ng/ml,P<0.01].Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that body mass index was an independent affective factor of the serum levels of MIF (r2 =0.516).The serum levels of MIF and the expressions of MIF mRNA in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue were significantly higher in GDM group than NGT group.MIF may contribute to insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction in GDM.Body mass index seems to be an independent factor in affecting the serum levels of MIF. Key words: Diabetes mellitus,gestational; Macrophage migration inhibitory factor; Insulin resistance; β-cell dysfunction