Association between Serum Adenosine Deaminase Activity and Blood Glucose Level in Gestational Diabetes

Background &Objectives: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is a marker of T cell activation. ADA catalyzes the deamination of adenosine and modulates the bioactivity of insulin. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible relationship between ADA activity and various clinical and metabolic parameters, including fasting plasma sugar (FBS) and glycated hemoglobin (HBA1c), in gestational diabetes (GDM). Materials &Methods: Fasting ADA activity, FBS, HBA1c, serum insulin level, and blood lipids were measured in 70 GDM patients and in 70 non-diabetic pregnant subjects. Insulin resistance was measured using a homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance ( HOMA-IR). Results: ADA activity was increased in the GDM patients compared with that in the non-diabetic pregnant subjects (mean ± standard error, 13.9 ± 7.1 U/L vs. 9.6 ± 3.8 U/L; p value <0.0001). ADA activity was correlated with FBS (r=0.277, p value =0.001) and HbA1c (r=0.344, p value <0.0001). HOMA-IR was higher in the GDM patients than that in the non-diabetic pregnant subjects; however, no correlation was observed between ADA activity and HOMA-IR. Conclusion: Our results show that ADA activity, as a marker of T cell activation, is increased in GDM. Serum levels of ADA activity are positively correlated with glycemic control.