Abstract: Retinol binding protein-4 （RBP4） is a newly discovered adipocytokine mainly secreted by liver and fat cells，which can regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. RBP4 is closely related to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Gestational diabetes mellitus （GDM） is a common pregnancy complications，its incidence is increasing，but its pathogenesis is unclear，which is considered to be associated with insulin resistance，regardless of compensatory insulin secretion. Recent studies on adipokines including RBP4 have suggested that RBP4 is not only the association factor in obesity and diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance，but also the novel factor closely related to the pathogenesis，prognosis and risk of type-2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome in the women with previous GDM and offspring of GDM. However，RBP4 is still a controversial adipokine.

Key words: Diabetes, gestational, Retinol-binding proteins, Adipokines, Insulin resistance, Metabolic syndrome