# Are Peripartum Changes in CCL2 Associated with Maternal Metabolic Status?

## TL;DR

This study explores how CCL2 levels change during and after pregnancy and how these changes relate to a mother's metabolic health.

## Contribution

The study identifies peripartum CCL2 dynamics as a potential marker for maternal metabolic status during pregnancy.

## Key findings

- Peripartum serum CCL2 changes differ significantly between groups with different BMI changes.
- CCL2 correlates with HbA1c and body composition indices in all participants.
- CCL2 shows additional associations with metabolic markers in women with greater BMI changes.

## Abstract

C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) may reflect subtle metabolic–inflammatory changes in pregnancy. This study evaluated CCL2 concentrations and their peripartum changes in women with uncomplicated term pregnancies, focusing on associations with maternal metabolic status. Serum CCL2 was measured before delivery and 48 h postpartum; urinary CCL2 was assessed postpartum. Peripartum serum change (ΔCCL2) was calculated. BMI was recorded pre-pregnancy (or early pregnancy), at delivery, and 48 h postpartum; total BMI change (ΔBMI) was derived. Participants were stratified into two groups (ΔBMI > 1 kg/m2 vs. ≤1 kg/m2). Peripartum serum CCL2 changes differed significantly between ΔBMI groups. In the total cohort, CCL2 correlated with HbA1c and selected body composition indices, including fat tissue index, lean tissue index, and body cell mass. In women with ΔBMI > 1 kg/m2, additional associations were found with BMI, peripartum BMI change, HbA1c, ferritin, creatinine, and total body water. Among women with ΔBMI ≤ 1 kg/m2, significant relationships were observed with uric acid and triglycerides. Peripartum CCL2 dynamics appear to reflect maternal metabolic status, even in metabolically “normal” pregnancies, but these findings are exploratory and should be interpreted cautiously. CCL2 is a promising marker of subtle metabolic alterations in late pregnancy and the early postpartum period, but further validation is required before clinical application.