Apelin as A Novel Biomarker in Gestational Diabetes Prediction, Prognosis, and Treatment: A Review article

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent health disorder that affects pregnant women with no prior history of DM at 24-28 weeks of gestation. It inversely impacts feto-maternal well-being and represents an important cause of raised morbidity and mortality. For that, earlier screening for GDM is crucial to reduce these adverse outcomes. Traditional screening methods are hindered by false positive results and time consumption, which urged for newer biomarkers. Apelin is an adipokine that has gained a lot of attention due to its role in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. This review aims to examine Aplin's diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic role among pregnant women with GDM. An online search took place throughout 4 electronic repositories (WOS, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed) for keywords (GDM, insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, screening, prognosis, fetal complication, and maternal complication). Extracted articles were screened for duplication, and data of interest were analyzed. Analysis confirmed a significant association of Aplein with GDM. Apelin levels were elevated or disturbed in cases that suffered from hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, or complications. It is important to mention that the evidence was sometimes inconsistent or contradictory; still, the results were promising. Apelin was a promising marker in GDM prediction, prognosis, and treatment. Many of the studies were hindered by heterogeneity, inconsistent diagnostic criteria, and small sampling. Future work is recommended to gain a deeper insight into Aplin's action and translate it into clinical practice for improving feto-maternal outcomes.