Relationship between 11β-HSD2 mRNA and insulin sensitivity in term small-for-gestational age neonates after birth.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum 11β-HSD2 mRNA level and insulin sensitivity in term small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates after birth. The 38 infants were divided into two groups, the SGA group and the appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) group. The placental 11β-HSD2 mRNA abundance and concentration of cortisol, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, adiponectin, visfatin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) in the umbilical vein plasma were measured. The results showed that in the SGA group, neonates had lower levels of placental 11β-HSD2 mRNA and serum cortisol, and higher fasting insulin and HOMA-IR compared to AGA group. For some insulin sensitivity relative factor, levels of serum adiponectin and IGF-1 were lower while visfatin was higher in the SGA group than AGA group. Correlation analyses revealed that 11β-HSD2 mRNA level had a negative correlation with fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and visfatin.