Inhibition of fatty acid binding protein 4 attenuates gestational diabetes mellitus

Accumulatig evidence demonstrated that inflammation is associated with the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) was reported to be involved in immune response. However, the effect of FABP4 in GDM remians unclear. This study focused on the effect of FABP4 in GDM. C57BL/KsJdb/+ (db/ +) mice were used for GDM mouse model . BMS-309403 (BMS) was used to inhibit FABP4 levels in GDM mouse model. IL-6 and TNF-alpha concentrations in serum were determined via ELISA. Serum glucose and insulin concentrations were tested using commercial glucometer and mouse insulin ELISA kit, respectively. IL-6 and TNF-alpha mRNA and protein levels were detected using RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. FABP4 levels were upregulated in GDM group compared with control group and were positively associated with serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels. FABP4 inhibition by BMS significantly decreased body weight and serum glucose concentrations, increasd serum insulin concentration, suppressed IL-6 and TNF-alpha expression both in the serum and the pancreas, enhanced little size and inhibited birth weight in GDM mouse model. Inhibition of FABP4 attenuates GDM in genetic mice.