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Molecular Insight into Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

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Dear Colleagues,

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most frequent conditions complicating pregnancies, and its prevalence still seems to be on the rise. It is associated with numerous consequences, such as fetal macrosomia, preeclampsia, shoulder dystocia, and preterm delivery. Moreover, women who have a history of GDM, as well as their offspring, are predisposed to develop metabolic complications in the future, i.e., type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.

The pathogenesis of GDM is not precisely known; however, it is believed that pancreatic β-cell dysfunction along with impairment of insulin secretion and function play major roles in it. The resistance of tissues and cells to insulin stimulates β-cells to enhance insulin production and, eventually, damage their function. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory processes may also contribute to the development of GDM but require further clarification.

We encourage researchers to send original articles and reviews investigating the molecular processes involved in the development of GDM. We believe your discoveries will enrich this Special Issue with a fresh outlook on molecular mechanisms in GDM and facilitate its early detection and effective management.

Dr. Marcin Trojnar
Dr. Zaneta Kimber-Trojnar
Guest Editors

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Keywords

gestational diabetes mellitus
biomarkers
maternal risk factors
fetal programming
maternal programming
insulin resistance
endothelial dysfunction
inflammation
oxidative stress
placental growth factors

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16 pages, 1083 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Colostral Appetite-Regulating Adipokines

by Jolanta Lis-Kuberka, Marta Berghausen-Mazur and Magdalena Orczyk-Pawiłowicz

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3853; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073853 - 29 Mar 2024

Viewed by 517

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complex metabolic disorder that has short- and long-term effects on maternal and offspring health. This study aimed to assess the impact of maternal hyperglycemia severity, classified as GDM-G1 (diet treatment) and GDM-G2 (insulin treatment) on colostral appetite-regulating molecules. Colostrum samples were collected from hyperglycemic (N = 30) and normoglycemic (N = 21) mothers, and the concentrations of milk hormones were determined by immunoenzymatic assay. A difference was found for milk ghrelin, but not for molecules such as adiponectin, leptin, resistin, or IGF-I levels, in relation to maternal hyperglycemia. The colostral ghrelin in the GDM-G1 cohort (0.21 ng/mL) was significantly lower than for GDM-G2 (0.38 ng/mL) and non-GDM groups (0.36 ng/mL). However, colostral resistin was higher, but not significantly, for GDM-G1 (13.33 ng/mL) and GDM-G2 (12.81 ng/mL) cohorts than for normoglycemic mothers (7.89 ng/mL). The lack of difference in relation to hyperglycemia for milk leptin, adiponectin, leptin–adiponectin ratio, resistin, and IGF-I levels might be the outcome of effective treatment of GDM during pregnancy. The shift between ghrelin and other appetite-regulating hormones might translate into altered ability to regulate energy balance, affecting offspring’s metabolic homeostasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insight into Gestational Diabetes Mellitus)

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13 pages, 1346 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of DPP-4 Concentrations with the Occurrence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Excessive Gestational Weight Gain

by Magdalena Niebrzydowska-Tatus, Aleksandra Pełech, Katarzyna Bień, Julia Mekler, Miracle Santiago, Żaneta Kimber-Trojnar and Marcin Trojnar

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(3), 1829; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25031829 - 2 Feb 2024

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Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is considered one of the most common diseases that occur during pregnancy. In addition to increasing the risk of numerous complications throughout gestation, it is also believed to have a long-term potential to impact the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease for the mother and her offspring. While there are clear guidelines for healthy weight gain in pregnancy depending on pre-pregnancy BMI, as well as dietary and training recommendations to achieve this, an increasing number of women are experiencing excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG). Such patients have a higher risk of developing GDM and gestational hypertension, as well as requiring caesarian delivery. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is a glycoprotein that seems to play an important role in glucose metabolism, and inhibition of its activity positively affects glucose regulation. The aim of our study was to compare DPP-4 concentrations in patients with GDM and EGWG with healthy women. DPP-4 levels were assessed in serum and urine samples collected on the day of delivery. The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method was also used to analyze the body composition of patients on the second day of the postpartum period. DPP-4 serum concentrations were significantly higher in patients in the GDM and EGWG groups compared to healthy women. Urinary DPP-4 concentrations were significantly higher in the control and GDM groups than in the EGWG group. Serum DPP-4 levels were positively correlated with BMI measured before pregnancy, on the delivery day, and in the early postpartum period, among other factors. According to our knowledge, this is the first study to determine DPP-4 levels in EGWG patients. DPP-4 may be related to the occurrence of GDM and EGWG; however, this requires further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insight into Gestational Diabetes Mellitus)

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