Molecular Insights to Adiponectin in Pregnancy Pathologies: A Systematic Review on Physiological and Clinical Pathological Perspective

Authors

  • Saima Naz Shaikh Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan
  • Noor Un Nisa Memon Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI),Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU),Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Rabia Zuhaib Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU),Karachi,Pakistan.
  • Padma Rathore Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Tallat Naz Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Pashmina Shaikh Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan
  • Aneesa Khalid Free University of Berlin ,Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36283/ziun-pjmd14-2/069

Keywords:

Adiponectin, Pregnancy, Gestational Diabetes, Preeclampsia, Molecular Mechanisms, Inflammatory Response , Metabolic Regulation

Abstract

Background: Adiponectin was seen to work as an important adipokine that originated from adipocytes to regulate metabolic and inflammatory processes. The concentration of adiponectin altered throughout pregnancy, linking it to different pregnancy-related medical complications. This review aimed to investigate how adiponectin affects pregnancy pathologies at the molecular level, while examining both normal physiological events and associated medical outcomes.

Methods: A thorough analysis of research was conducted through the examination of peer-reviewed studies in the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases from 2010 to 2024. The research included studies examining how adiponectin functions during pregnancy, about gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia, insulin resistance, and hypertension. The research included experimental studies, prospective studies, cohort studies, and case-control studies. The analysis excluded research papers that failed to mention definitive outcomes regarding adiponectin and those dealing exclusively with non-pregnancy medical conditions. This systematic review included 12 studies which received quality evaluation through application of the Evidence Project Risk of Bias Tool. Results were synthesized qualitatively.

Results:  Among the 118 screened studies, 34 met the eligibility criteria after full-text review. 12 were finally included in the systematic review. The sample size ranged from 34 to 2503 participants. Pregnant women typically exhibited elevated adiponectin levels during early pregnancy, but this level decreased in cases of GDM and preeclampsia. Studies have shown that adiponectin regulates three key elements for pregnancy complications, which include insulin sensitivity, endothelial function and inflammatory processes. The connection between impaired glucose metabolism in GDM patients and reduced vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects of adiponectin influences preeclampsia between these conditions. Research also indicated that adiponectin influenced fetal development by affecting the placenta’s ability to support fetal nutritional needs.  

Discussion: The potential existence of adiponectin represented a biomarker and therapeutic target for pregnancy complications.

Author Biographies

  • Saima Naz Shaikh, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan

    Department of Physiology , 

  • Noor Un Nisa Memon, Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI),Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU),Karachi, Pakistan.

    Department of Physiology,


  • Rabia Zuhaib, Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU),Karachi,Pakistan.

    Department of Physiology,

  • Padma Rathore, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.

    Department of Physiology , 

  • Tallat Naz, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.

    Department of Physiology, 

  • Pashmina Shaikh, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan

    Department of Anatomy,

  • Aneesa Khalid, Free University of Berlin ,Germany

    School of Pathology, 

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Published

2025-04-13

How to Cite

1.
Shaikh SN, Memon NUN, Zuhaib R, Rathore P, Naz T, Shaikh P, et al. Molecular Insights to Adiponectin in Pregnancy Pathologies: A Systematic Review on Physiological and Clinical Pathological Perspective. PJMD [Internet]. 2025 Apr. 13 [cited 2025 Jul. 10];14(2):515-23. Available from: https://ojs.zu.edu.pk/pjmd/article/view/3549

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