Maternal insulin resistance and preeclampsia

Preterm birth in assisted reproduction: the mediating role of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy

STUDY QUESTION

To what extent can hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) explain the higher risk of preterm birth following frozen embryo transfer (frozen-ET) and fresh embryo transfer (fresh-ET) in ART compared with naturally conceived pregnancies?

SUMMARY ANSWER

HDP did not contribute to the higher risk of preterm birth in pregnancies after fresh-ET but mediated 20.7% of the association between frozen-ET and preterm birth.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Risk of preterm birth is higher after ART compared to natural conception. However, there is also a higher risk of HDP in pregnancies after ART compared to natural conception, in particular after frozen-ET. HDP increases the risk of both spontaneous and medically indicated preterm birth. It is not known to what extent the higher risk of preterm birth in ART-conceived pregnancies is mediated through HDP.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This registry-based cohort study included singleton pregnancies from the Committee of Nordic ART and Safety (CoNARTaS) cohort from Denmark (1994-2014), Norway (1988-2015), and Sweden (1988-2015). The analysis included 78 300 singletons born after fresh-ET, 18 037 after frozen-ET, and 4 426 682 after natural conception. The exposure was ART conception with either frozen-ET or fresh-ET versus natural conception. The main mediator of interest was any of the following HDP: gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, or chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia. The main outcome was any preterm birth, defined as delivery <37 weeks of gestation. Secondary outcomes were spontaneous and medically indicated preterm birth, and different severities of preterm birth based on the gestational age threshold.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

We linked data from the national Medical Birth Registries, ART registries/databases, and the National Patient Registries in each country using the unique national identity number of the mother. Criteria for inclusion were singleton pregnancies with birth order 1-4 in women aged ≥20 years at delivery. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs of preterm birth and decomposed the total effect into direct and mediated (indirect) effects to estimate the proportion mediated by HDP. Main models included adjustment for the year of delivery, maternal age, parity, and country.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Pregnancies following frozen-ET had a higher risk of any preterm birth compared to natural conception (occurrence 6.6% vs 5.0%, total effect OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.21-1.37) and 20.7% of the association was mediated by HDP (mediated effect OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.04-1.05). The mediation occurred primarily in medically indicated preterm births. Pregnancies following fresh-ET also had a higher risk of any preterm birth compared to naturally conceived pregnancies (occurrence 8.1% vs 5.0%, total effect OR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.45-1.53), but none of this could be mediated by HDP (mediated effect OR 1.00, 95%CI 1.00-1.00, proportion mediated 0.5%). Sensitivity analyses with extra confounder adjustment for body mass index and smoking, and restriction to primiparous women, were consistent with our main findings. Furthermore, the results were not driven by differences in ART procedures (intracytoplasmic sperm injection, culture duration, or the number of embryos transferred).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Although we could adjust for some important confounders, we cannot exclude residual confounding, particularly from factors associated with infertility.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

This population-based mediation analysis suggests that some of the higher risk of preterm birth after ART treatment may be explained by the higher risk of HDP after frozen-ET. If causality is established, investigations into preventive strategies such as prophylactic aspirin in pregnancies after frozen-ET may be warranted.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

Funding was provided by NordForsk (project number: 71450), the Nordic Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (project numbers NF13041, NF15058, NF16026, and NF17043), the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (project number 81850092), an ESHRE Grant for research in reproductive medicine (grant number 2022-2), and the Research Council of Norway's Centres of Excellence funding scheme (project number 262700). D.A.L.'s and A.E.'s contribution to this work was supported by the European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreements No 101021566) and the UK Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00032/05). D.A.L. has received support from Roche Diagnostics and Medtronic Ltd for research unrelated to that presented here. Pinborg declares grants from Gedeon Richter, Ferring, Cryos, and Merck, consulting fees from IBSA, Ferring, Gedeon Richter, Cryos, and Merck, payments from Gedeon Richter, Ferring, Merck, and Organon,travel support from Gedeon Richter. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this work.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN 35879.

A mitochondrial regulator protein, MNRR1, is elevated in the maternal blood of women with preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

Preeclampsia, one of the most serious obstetric complications, is a heterogenous disorder resulting from different pathologic processes. However, placental oxidative stress and an anti-angiogenic state play a crucial role. Mitochondria are a major source of cellular reactive oxygen species. Abnormalities in mitochondrial structures, proteins, and functions have been observed in the placentae of patients with preeclampsia, thus mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the mechanism of the disease. Mitochondrial nuclear retrograde regulator 1 (MNRR1) is a newly characterized bi-organellar protein with pleiotropic functions. In the mitochondria, this protein regulates cytochrome c oxidase activity and reactive oxygen species production, whereas in the nucleus, it regulates the transcription of a number of genes including response to tissue hypoxia and inflammatory signals. Since MNRR1 expression changes in response to hypoxia and to an inflammatory signal, MNRR1 could be a part of mitochondrial dysfunction and involved in the pathologic process of preeclampsia. This study aimed to determine whether the plasma MNRR1 concentration of women with preeclampsia differed from that of normal pregnant women.

METHODS

This retrospective case-control study included 97 women with preeclampsia, stratified by gestational age at delivery into early (<34 weeks, n = 40) and late (≥34 weeks, n = 57) preeclampsia and by the presence or absence of placental lesions consistent with maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM), the histologic counterpart of an anti-angiogenic state. Women with an uncomplicated pregnancy at various gestational ages who delivered at term served as controls (n = 80) and were further stratified into early (n = 25) and late (n = 55) controls according to gestational age at venipuncture. Maternal plasma MNRR1 concentrations were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

1) Women with preeclampsia at the time of diagnosis (either early or late disease) had a significantly higher median (interquartile range, IQR) plasma MNRR1 concentration than the controls [early preeclampsia: 1632 (924-2926) pg/mL vs. 630 (448-4002) pg/mL, p = .026, and late preeclampsia: 1833 (1441-5534) pg/mL vs. 910 (526-6178) pg/mL, p = .021]. Among women with early preeclampsia, those with MVM lesions in the placenta had the highest median (IQR) plasma MNRR1 concentration among the three groups [with MVM: 2066 (1070-3188) pg/mL vs. without MVM: 888 (812-1781) pg/mL, p = .03; and with MVM vs. control: 630 (448-4002) pg/mL, p = .04]. There was no significant difference in the median plasma MNRR1 concentration between women with early preeclampsia without MVM lesions and those with an uncomplicated pregnancy (p = .3). By contrast, women with late preeclampsia, regardless of MVM lesions, had a significantly higher median (IQR) plasma MNRR1 concentration than women in the control group [with MVM: 1609 (1392-3135) pg/mL vs. control: 910 (526-6178), p = .045; and without MVM: 2023 (1578-8936) pg/mL vs. control, p = .01].

CONCLUSIONS

MNRR1, a mitochondrial regulator protein, is elevated in the maternal plasma of women with preeclampsia (both early and late) at the time of diagnosis. These findings may reflect some degree of mitochondrial dysfunction, intravascular inflammation, or other unknown pathologic processes that characterize this obstetrical syndrome.

Association Between Metformin Use in Early Gestational or Type 2 Diabetes in Pregnancy and Preterm Preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the association between maternal metformin use for the treatment of early gestational or pre-existing type 2 diabetes and preterm preeclampsia.

METHODS

This is a planned secondary analysis of the MOMPOD study (Medical Optimization of Management of Overt Type 2 Diabetes in Pregnancy), a randomized trial comparing the effect of adding metformin with insulin treatment on composite neonatal outcome in singleton pregnancies with early gestational or type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomized at 11-23 weeks of gestation to 1,000 mg metformin twice daily or placebo until delivery. A subset of participants had maternal blood collected at 24-30 weeks of gestation, and serum soluble endoglin, apolipoprotein B, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, placental growth factor, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, adiponectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels were measured. Our primary outcome was preterm preeclampsia , defined as preeclampsia requiring delivery before 37 weeks of gestation. Secondary outcomes included preterm preeclampsia requiring delivery before 34 weeks of gestation and differences in serum biomarkers. Multivariable regression analysis was used to estimate the associations between metformin use and primary or secondary study outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 831 participants, 119 (14.3%) developed preeclampsia requiring delivery before 37 weeks of gestation: 57 of 416 (13.7%) in the placebo group and 62 of 415 (14.9%) in the metformin group. Thirty-seven (4.4%) developed preeclampsia requiring delivery before 34 weeks of gestation: 15 (3.6%) receiving placebo and 22 (5.3%) receiving metformin. Compared with placebo, metformin was not associated with a significant difference in the occurrence of preeclampsia before 37 weeks of gestation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.04, 95% CI, 0.70-1.56) or before 34 weeks (aOR 1.43, 95% CI, 0.73-2.81). Similarly, there was no association between maternal metformin use and serum biomarker levels.

CONCLUSION

Among parturients with early gestational or pre-existing type 2 diabetes, the addition of metformin to insulin was not associated with lower odds of preterm preeclampsia or with serum biomarkers associated with cardiovascular disease risk.

Second-trimester triglyceride-glucose index to predict adverse outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A retrospective multicenter cohort study

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus are at high risk for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The study aimed to evaluate the performance of the triglyceride-glucose index in predicting the risk of developing adverse outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective multicenter cohort study included 8,808 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus in two grade-A tertiary hospitals in China during 2018-2022. The triglyceride-glucose index was defined as ln [triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Significant adverse gestational diabetes mellitus outcomes were chosen by generalized linear models as the main outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated their association with the triglyceride-glucose index. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves predicted adverse pregnancy outcomes. The prediction efficiency was validated in the sensitivity analysis dataset and validation cohort.

RESULTS

The triglyceride-glucose index was associated with preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, preterm birth, placenta accreta spectrum, and macrosomia before and after adjusting for confounding factors (P < 0.05). The predictive performance of the triglyceride-glucose index was relatively moderate. Incorporating the triglyceride-glucose index into the baseline clinical risk model improved the area under curves for the diagnosis of preeclampsia (0.749 [0.714-0.784] vs 0.766 [0.734-0.798], P = 0.033) and macrosomia (0.664 [0.644-0.685] vs 0.676 [0.656-0.697], P = 0.002). These predictive models exhibited good calibration and robustness.

CONCLUSIONS

The triglyceride-glucose index is positively associated with preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, preterm birth, placenta accreta spectrum, and macrosomia and is useful for the early prediction and prevention of adverse outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes with respect to treatment modalities in women with gestational diabetes mellitus at a rural tertiary care teaching hospital

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and compare adverse pregnancy outcomes with respect to treatment modalities in a peri-urban teaching hospital in Telangana.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted on GDM cases delivered from January 2019 to March 2020. GDM was diagnosed using a two-step procedure of screening using IADPSG criteria. Women diagnosed with GDM were divided into four groups - diet group, metformin group, metformin plus insulin group and insulin group based on the treatment modalities. Adverse pregnancy outcomes of the women managed with different treatment modalities were recorded.

Results

Good glycaemic control (FBS, P = 0.04, 2 hrs PLBS, P = 0.01) was achieved in diet and metformin groups. Incidence of Gestational hypertension (P = 0.01) and preeclampsia (P = 0.01) were found to be higher in the insulin group when compared to the metformin and insulin group, metformin group and diet group. No difference was noted with respect to polyhydramnios, preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, induction labour and caesarean delivery rates between the treatment groups. Apgar score at 5 min of <7 (P = 0.02), neonatal intensive care unit admissions for >24 hrs (P = 0.03) and neonatal hypoglycaemia (P = 0.01) were found to be higher in insulin-required groups. Rates of shoulder dystocia, stillbirth, early neonatal death within 1 week and respiratory distress did not vary significantly between the treatment groups.

Conclusion

Universal screening of women for GDM and multidisciplinary management of women once diagnosed tend to lessen maternal and fetal complications. Metformin can be an effective, cheaper and non-invasive alternative to insulin in the management of GDM.

Impact of Race/Ethnicity and Insurance Status on Obstetric Outcomes: Secondary Analysis of the NuMoM2b Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the impact of race/ethnicity and insurance status on obstetric outcomes in nulliparous women.

STUDY DESIGN

Secondary analysis of the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study Monitoring Mothers-To-Be. Obstetric outcomes included the development of a hypertensive event during pregnancy, need for a cesarean section, delivery of a preterm neonate, and postpartum hemorrhage.

RESULTS

Of 7,887 nulliparous women, 64.7% were non-Hispanic White (White), 13.4% non-Hispanic Black (Black), 17.8% Hispanic, and 4.1% were Asian. Black women had the highest rates of developing new-onset hypertension (32%) and delivering preterm (11%). Cesarean deliveries were the highest in Asian (32%) and Black women (32%). Individuals with government insurance were more likely to deliver preterm (11%) and/or experience hemorrhage after delivery. In multivariable analyses, race/ethnicity was associated with hypertension and cesarean delivery. More important, the adjusted odds ratios for preventable risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes, and severe anemia were greater than the adjusted odds ratios for race/ethnicity in terms of poor maternal outcome.

CONCLUSION

Although disparities were observed between race/ethnicity and obstetric outcomes, other modifiable risk factors played a larger role in clinical differences.

KEY POINTS

· Race or insurance alone had mixed associations with maternal morbidities.. · Race and insurance had low associations with maternal morbidities.. · Other, modifiable risk factors may be more important.. · Both social and biological factors impact health disparities..

Gestational weight gain and pregnancy outcomes in Chinese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus: evidence from a tertiary hospital in Beijing

Objective

To examine the effects of gestational weight gain on pregnancy outcomes and determine the optimal range of weight gain during pregnancy for Chinese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 691 Chinese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus from 2012 to 2020. The study utilized a statistical-based approach to determine the optimal range of gestational weight gain. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the impact of gestational weight gain on pregnancy outcomes.

Results

(1) In the obese subgroup, gestational weight gain below the recommendations was associated with decreased risks of large for gestational age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.60) and macrosomia (aOR 0.18; 95% CI 0.05-0.69). In the normal weight subgroup, gestational weight gain below the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine was associated with decreased risks of preeclampsia (aOR 0.18; 95% CI 0.04-0.82) and neonatal hypoglycemia (aOR 0.38; 95% CI 0.15-0.97). (2) In the normal weight subgroup, gestational weight gain above the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine was associated with an increased risk of large for gestational age (aOR 4.56; 95% CI 1.54-13.46). In the obese subgroup, gestational weight gain above the recommendations was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (aOR 2.74; 95% CI 1.02, 7.38). (3) The optimal ranges of gestational weight gain, based on our study, were 9-16 kg for underweight women, 9.5-14 kg for normal weight women, 6.5-12 kg for overweight women, and 3-10 kg for obese women. (4) Using the optimal range of gestational weight gain identified in our study seemed to provide better prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusion

For Chinese women with type 2 diabetes, inappropriate gestational weight gain is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the optimal range of gestational weight gain may differ from the Institute of Medicine recommendations.

Improved neonatal outcomes in pregnancies with coexisting gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in normal birthweight neonates- insights from a retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to assess neonatal and maternal outcomes in appropriate-for-gestational-weight (AGA) neonates of mothers with both gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PET).

METHODS

Medical records of women diagnosed with GDM or PET were reviewed. Women with AGA neonates were divided into three groups- GDM, PET, and GDM + PET and maternal neonatal and placental outcomes were compared. The primary outcome was a composite of adverse neonatal outcomes, including intensive care unit admission (NICU), neurological morbidity, hypoglycemia, ventilation, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), phototherapy, sepsis, blood transfusion, and neonatal death. Post-hoc analysis was performed to determine between-group significance.

RESULTS

Composite adverse neonatal outcomes are significantly lower in women with multiple morbidities compared to women with confined PET (p = 0.015), and a similar trend is observed when comparing neonatal outcomes between women with GDM to those with GDM + PET, yet these results are underpowered (18.9 % vs. 12.8 % respectively, p = 0.243). Placentas of women with GDM + PET were larger, with a lower rate of placentas below the 10th percentile as compared to placentas of women with isolated PET (p < 0.001), but with similar rates of MVM lesions.

DISCUSSION

While maternal and placental outcomes in patients of the GDM + PET group resemble the characteristics of the PET group, surprisingly, the neonatal outcomes in this group are significantly better compared to isolated morbidities. The paradoxical benefit attributed to the coexistence of GDM + PET may be explained by a balance of the opposing trends characterizing these morbidities-the reduced blood and nutrient supply characterizing PET vs. chronic overflow and abundance typical of GDM.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

approval of local ethics committee WOMC-19-0152.

DHT and Insulin Upregulate Secretion of the Soluble Decoy Receptor of IL-33 From Decidualized Endometrial Stromal Cells

Interleukin 33 (IL-33) signaling regulates most of the key processes of pregnancy, including decidualization, trophoblast proliferation and invasion, vascular remodeling, and placental growth. Accordingly, dysregulation of IL-33, its membrane-bound receptor (ST2L, transducer of IL-33 signaling), and its soluble decoy receptor (sST2, inhibitor of IL-33 signaling) has been linked to a wide range of adverse pregnancy outcomes that are common in women with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome, that is, conditions associated with hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and compensatory hyperinsulinemia. To reveal if androgens and insulin might modulate uteroplacental IL-33 signaling, we investigated the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and/or insulin on the expression of ST2L and sST2 (along with the activity of their promoter regions), IL-33 and sIL1RAP (heterodimerization partner of sST2), during in vitro decidualization of endometrial stromal cells from 9 healthy women. DHT and insulin markedly upregulated sST2 secretion, in addition to the upregulation of its messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, while the proximal ST2 promoter, from which the sST2 transcript originates, was upregulated by insulin, and in a synergistic manner by DHT and insulin combination treatment. On the other hand, sIL1RAP was slightly downregulated by insulin and IL-33 mRNA expression was not affected by any of the hormones, while ST2L mRNA expression and transcription from its promoter region (distal ST2 promoter) could not be detected or showed a negligibly low level. We hypothesize that high levels of androgens and insulin might lead to subfertility and pregnancy complications, at least partially, through the sST2-dependent downregulation of uteroplacental IL-33 signaling.

Vitamin D Deficiency as a Risk Factor of Preeclampsia during Pregnancy

A balanced diet is achieved not only via the consumption of a variety of food products but also by ensuring that we take in sufficient quantities the micronutrients necessary for the adequate functioning of the human body, such as vitamins, an important one of which is vitamin D. Vitamin D has been closely linked to bone health. Vitamin D deficiency has often been associated with negative effects concerning several pregnancy adverse outcomes, the most important of which are the birth of SGA newborns, premature birth, and, finally, preeclampsia, which are discussed in this work. The aim of this review is to critically summarize and scrutinize whether the concentration of vitamin D in the blood serum of pregnant women in all its forms may be correlated with the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy and whether vitamin D levels could act both as a protective agent or as a risk factor or even a prognostic measure of the disease. The association of vitamin D levels with the onset of preeclampsia was examined by searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. A total of 31 clinical trials were identified and included in this review, with the aim of summarizing the recent data concerning vitamin D levels and the risk of preeclampsia. Among them, 16 were published in the last five years, and 13 were published within the last a decade. Most studies showed a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and preeclampsia risk. It was also found that the higher the dose, the lower the risk of disease. Of the 31 articles, only 7 of them did not show a significant difference between vitamin D levels and preeclampsia regardless of comorbidity. The results of this review suggest that there is indeed an association between the concentration of vitamin D during pregnancy and the risk of preeclampsia; however, further studies are strongly recommended to derive conclusive evidence.

Inflammatory markers are elevated in early pregnancy, but not late pregnancy, in women with overweight and obesity that later develop preeclampsia

PROBLEM

Obesity and preeclampsia both involve a pathological inflammatory response, which may be how obesity increases preeclampsia risk. Previous studies have failed to assess robust measurements of inflammatory markers across gestation, specifically in overweight/ obese women in the context of preeclampsia.

METHOD OF STUDY

We measured 20 inflammatory markers in plasma via multiplex assay (ThermoFisher Inflammation 20 plex Human ProcartaPlex Panel) across the three trimesters of pregnancy in an existing cohort of overweight and obese women who developed preeclampsia (n = 37) and without preeclampsia (n = 74). Mann-Whitney U tests examined differences in inflammatory marker concentrations between cases and controls. Repeated measures ANOVA tests were used to explore differences in inflammatory marker concentrations over time within cases and controls.

RESULTS

Pro-inflammatory markers (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-α, IFN-γ, GM-CSF, IL-12p70, IL-17α, TNF-α, IL-8) and anti-inflammatory markers (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) were higher in the first and second trimester in participants who later developed preeclampsia compared to those who did not (p < .05). Only TNF-α and IL-8 remained elevated in the third trimester. Inflammatory markers did not change across pregnancy in preeclampsia cases but did increase across pregnancy in controls.

CONCLUSION

Our findings diverge from prior studies, predominantly of non-obese women, that report lower circulating concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines in preeclampsia versus normotensive pregnancy, particularly by late pregnancy. We posit that women with overweight and obesity who develop preeclampsia entered pregnancy with a heightened pro-inflammatory state likely related to obesity, which increased risk for preeclampsia. Further studies are needed to investigate if inflammatory maker profiles differ between obese and non-obese women.

Incidence of Heart Failure Related to Co-Occurrence of Gestational Hypertensive Disorders and Gestational Diabetes

BACKGROUND

The extent to which their co-occurrence of gestational hypertensive disorders (GHTD) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) influences heart failure (HF) risk is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to characterize the risk of HF related to concomitant GHTD and GDM.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based cohort study using the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care of Ontario (Canada) health care administrative databases. We included women with a livebirth singleton delivery between July 1, 2007, and March 31, 2018, and excluded those with prepregnancy diabetes, hypertension, HF, or coronary artery disease. GDM, GHTD, peripartum cardiomyopathy (at index pregnancy) were identified using diagnosis coding. Incident HF was assessed from index pregnancy until March 31, 2020. We estimated associations of GDM and/or GHTD with peripartum cardiomyopathy and incident HF.

RESULTS

Among 885,873 women (mean age: 30 years, 54,015 with isolated GDM, 43,750 with isolated GHTD, 4,960 with GDM and GHTD), there were 489 HF events over 8 years. Compared to no-GDM and no-GHTD, isolated GDM (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.02-2.04) and isolated GHTD (aHR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.17-2.31) were associated with a higher risk of incident HF. The co-occurrence of GDM and GHTD was associated with a higher HF risk (aHR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.24-5.61). GDM and GHTD increased the risk of peripartum cardiomyopathy (adjusted risk ratio [aRR]: 7.30; 95% CI: 6.92-7.58), similarly to isolated GHTD (aRR: 7.40; 95% CI: 7.23-7.58).

CONCLUSIONS

The co-occurrence of GDM and GHTD was associated with a significantly high risk of incident HF.

Preeclampsia at term can be classified into 2 clusters with different clinical characteristics and outcomes based on angiogenic biomarkers in maternal blood

BACKGROUND

An antiangiogenic state has emerged as a mechanism of disease in preeclampsia. Angiogenic biomarkers are used in the risk assessment of this syndrome, particularly of early disease. The role of an antiangiogenic state in late preeclampsia is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the prevalence, characteristics, and clinical significance of angiogenic/antiangiogenic factor abnormalities in women with preeclampsia stratified according to gestational age at delivery.

STUDY DESIGN

Two studies were conducted: (1) a longitudinal nested case-control study comprising women with preeclampsia (n=151) and a control group (n=540); and (2) a case series of patients with preeclampsia (n=452). In patients with preeclampsia, blood was collected at the time of diagnosis. Plasma concentrations of placental growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. An abnormal angiogenic profile was defined as a plasma ratio of placental growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 expressed as a multiple of the median <10th percentile for gestational age based on values derived from the longitudinal study. The proportion of patients diagnosed with preeclampsia who had an abnormal angiogenic profile was determined in the case-series participants and stratified by gestational age at delivery into early (≤34 weeks), intermediate (34.1-36.9 weeks), and term (≥37 weeks) preeclampsia. The demographics, clinical characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes of women with preeclampsia with and without an abnormal angiogenic profile were compared.

RESULTS

The prevalence of an abnormal angiogenic profile was higher in preterm than in term preeclampsia (for early, intermediate, and term in the case-control study: 90%, 100%, and 39%; for the case series: 98%, 80%, and 55%, respectively). Women with preeclampsia at term who had an abnormal angiogenic profile were more frequently nulliparous (57% vs 35%), less likely to smoke (14% vs 26%), at greater risk for maternal (14% vs 5%) or neonatal (7% vs 1%) complications, and more often had placental lesions consistent with maternal vascular malperfusion (42% vs 23%; all, P<.05) than those without an abnormal profile. Women with preeclampsia at term who had a normal angiogenic profile had a higher frequency of chronic hypertension (36% vs 21%) and were more likely to have class ≥2 obesity (41% vs 23%) than those with an abnormal profile (both, P<.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with early preeclampsia had an abnormal angiogenic profile in virtually all cases, whereas only 50% of women with preeclampsia at term had such abnormalities. The profile of angiogenic biomarkers can be used to classify patients with preeclampsia at term, on the basis of mechanisms of disease, into 2 clusters, which have different demographics, clinical characteristics, and risks of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. These findings provide a simple approach to classify preeclampsia at term and have implications for future clinical care and research.

Long-Term Maternal Metabolic and Cardiovascular Phenotypes after a Pregnancy Complicated by Mild Gestational Diabetes Mellitus or Obesity

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of mild gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and obesity with metabolic and cardiovascular markers 5 to 10 years after pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a secondary analysis of 5- to 10-year follow-up study of a mild GDM treatment trial and concurrent observational cohort of participants ineligible for the trial with abnormal 1-hour glucose challenge test only. Participants with 2-hour glucose tolerance test at follow-up were included. The primary exposures were mild GDM and obesity. The outcomes were insulinogenic index (IGI), 1/homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and cardiovascular markers vascular endothelial growth factor, (VEGF), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (CD40L), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), and suppression of tumorgenesis 2 (ST-2). Multivariable linear regression estimated the association of GDM and obesity with biomarkers.

RESULTS

Of 951 participants in the parent study, 642 (68%) were included. Lower 1/HOMA-IR were observed in treated and untreated GDM groups, compared with non-GDM (mean differences, -0.24 and -0.15; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], -0.36 to -0.12 and -0.28 to -0.03, respectively). Lower VCAM-1 (angiogenesis) was observed in treated GDM group (mean difference, -0.11; 95% CI, -0.19 to -0.03). GDM was not associated with IGI or other biomarkers. Obesity was associated with lower 1/HOMA-IR (mean difference, -0.42; 95% CI, -0.52 to -0.32), but not other biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

Prior GDM and obesity are associated with more insulin resistance but not insulin secretion or consistent cardiovascular dysfunction 5 to 10 years after delivery.

KEY POINTS

· Mild GDM increases the risk of insulin resistance 5 to 10 years postpartum but not pancreatic dysfunction.. · Obesity increases the risk of insulin resistance 5 to 10 years postpartum but not pancreatic dysfunction.. · Neither mild GDM nor obesity increased the risk of cardiovascular dysfunction 5 to 10 years postpartum..

Prediction of pre-eclampsia in diabetic pregnant women

Background & objectives

Gestational or preexisting diabetes is one of the risk factors of pre-eclampsia. Both are responsible for higher maternal and fetal complications. The objective was to study clinical risk factors of pre-eclampsia and biochemical markers in early pregnancy of women with diabetes mellitus (DM)/gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) for the development of pre-eclampsia.

Methods

The study group comprised pregnant women diagnosed with GDM before the 20 wk of gestation and DM before pregnancy and the control group had age-, parity- and period of gestation-matched healthy women. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and the polymorphism of these genes was evaluated at recruitment.

Results

Out of 2050 pregnant women, 316 (15.41%) women (296 had GDM and 20 DM before pregnancy) were included in the study group. Of these, 96 women (30.38%) in the study group and 44 (13.92%) controls developed pre-eclampsia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated those who belonged to the upper middle and upper class of socio-economic status (SES) were likely to be at 4.50 and 6.10 times higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia. The risk of getting pre-eclampsia among those who had DM before pregnancy and pre-eclampsia in their previous pregnancy was about 2.34 and 4.56 times higher compared to those who had no such events, respectively. The serum biomarkers [SHBG, IGF-I and 25(OH)D] were not found to be useful in predicting pre-eclampsia in women with GDM. To predict risk of development of pre-eclampsia, the fitted risk model by backward elimination procedure was used to calculate a risk score for each patient. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for pre-eclampsia showed that area under the curve was 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.63-0.73); P<0.001.

Interpretation & conclusions

The findings of this study suggested that pregnant women with diabetes were at a higher risk for pre-eclampsia. SES, history of pre-eclampsia in previous pregnancy and pre-GDM were found to be the risk factors.

Perturbation of placental protein glycosylation by endoplasmic reticulum stress promotes maladaptation of maternal hepatic glucose metabolism

Placental hormones orchestrate maternal metabolic adaptations to support pregnancy. We hypothesized that placental ER stress, which characterizes early-onset pre-eclampsia (ePE), compromises glycosylation, reducing hormone bioactivity and these maladaptations predispose the mother to metabolic disease in later life. We demonstrate ER stress reduces the complexity and sialylation of trophoblast protein N-glycosylation, while aberrant glycosylation of vascular endothelial growth factor reduced its bioactivity. ER stress alters the expression of 66 of the 146 genes annotated with "protein glycosylation" and reduces the expression of sialyltransferases. Using mouse placental explants, we show ER stress promotes the secretion of mis-glycosylated glycoproteins. Pregnant mice carrying placentas with junctional zone-specific ER stress have reduced blood glucose, anomalous hepatic glucose metabolism, increased cellular stress and elevated DNA methyltransferase 3A. Using pregnancy-specific glycoproteins as a readout, we also demonstrate aberrant glycosylation of placental proteins in women with ePE, thus providing a mechanistic link between ePE and subsequent maternal metabolic disorders.

A network pharmacology study on mechanism of resveratrol in treating preeclampsia via regulation of AGE-RAGE and HIF-1 signalling pathways

Background

Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that threatens the lives of millions of pregnant women and their babies worldwide. Without effective medications, there are thousands of maternal and child mortalities every year. Resveratrol (RSV), a non-flavonoid polyphenol extracted from multiple plants, has shown positive effects in treating hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, and even PE. This study aimed to explore the pharmacological mechanism of RSV in treating PE by using network pharmacology and bioinformatics.

Methods

With the use of multiple databases, 66 intersecting targets were obtained from the 347 putative targets of RSV and 526 PE-related genes. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were conducted to investigate the functions of the intersecting targets. The protein-protein interaction network and target-pathway network were drawn and analyzed to illustrate the correlation between targets and pathways. Finally, molecular docking was conducted to calculate the binding energy between RSV and core targets.

Results

The results showed that the core targets of RSV were IL6, TNF, IL1B, VEGFA, STAT3, and EGFR. There existed good binding between RSV and IL6, TNF, IL1B, VEGFA, and EGFR. In addition, we found that RSV mainly functioned in the AGE-RAGE and HIF-1 signaling pathways, which are associated with the occurrence and development of PE.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our findings indicated that RSV has the effects of regulating angiogenesis and anti-inflammation and can be a candidate medicine for treating PE.

The association between sleep-disordered breathing and maternal endothelial and metabolic markers in pregnancies complicated by obesity

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the impact of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) on vascular, angiogenic and metabolic analytes in pregnancy.

METHODS

Participants with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 underwent polysomnography at 14-20 weeks gestation (visit 1). Participants with SDB (defined as an apnea-hypopnea index ≥5 events/h) were then enrolled in a separate trial. SDB-negative participants returned for a polysomnogram at 28-31 weeks (visit 2) and were recategorized as persistent-negative SDB or new-onset SDB. Mean arterial blood pressure, mean uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index, endoglin, soluble Feline McDonough Sarcoma-like tyrosine kinase 1, placental growth factor, and the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance were measured after each visit. Our primary outcome was a composite of uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index, soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1/placental growth factor ratio, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance. For secondary analyses, each outcome variable was analyzed independently.

RESULTS

A total of 242 and 130 participants completed visit 1 and visit 2, respectively. Newly diagnosed SDB was present in 37% of individuals at visit 1 and 31% of individuals at visit 2. No significant differences in our composite outcome vector were observed in individuals with and without SDB at either visit. In our secondary analysis, mean arterial blood pressure (88.7 ± 7.3 mm Hg vs 85.4 ± 7.1 mm Hg, P = .04) and fasting glucose (92.4 ± 15.2 mg/dL vs 86.6 ± 11.5 mg/dL, P = .05) were higher in participants with early pregnancy SDB. These associations were not observed for new-onset SDB. No associations were observed between uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index and angiogenic markers and SDB in pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

SDB in early pregnancy was not associated with our composite primary outcome but was associated with higher mean arterial blood pressure and fasting glucose. The pathophysiologic changes that occur in pregnant individuals with SDB and how they lead to an increased risk of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes remain poorly understood.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Sleep Disordered Breathing, Obesity and Pregnancy Study (SOAP); URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02086448; Identifier: NCT02086448.

CITATION

Onslow ML, Wolsk J, Wisniewski S, et al. The association between sleep-disordered breathing and maternal endothelial and metabolic markers in pregnancies complicated by obesity. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(1):97-109.

Effects of Pre-Pregnancy Overweight/Obesity on the Pattern of Association of Hypertension Susceptibility Genes with Preeclampsia

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity on the pattern of association of hypertension susceptibility genes with preeclampsia (PE). Ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the 10 genome-wide association studies (GWAS)-significant hypertension/blood pressure (BP) candidate genes were genotyped in 950 pregnant women divided into two cohorts according to their pre-pregnancy body mass index (preBMI): preBMI ≥ 25 (162 with PE and 159 control) and preBMI < 25 (290 with PE and 339 control). The PLINK software package was utilized to study the association (analyzed four genetic models using logistic regression). The functionality of PE-correlated loci was analyzed by performing an in silico database analysis. Two SNP hypertension/BP genes, rs805303 BAG6 (OR: 0.36−0.66) and rs167479 RGL3 (OR: 1.86), in subjects with preBMI ≥ 25 were associated with PE. No association between the studied SNPs and PE in the preBMI < 25 group was determined. Further analysis showed that two PE-associated SNPs are functional (have weighty eQTL, sQTL, regulatory, and missense values) and could be potentially implicated in PE development. In conclusion, this study was the first to discover the modifying influence of overweight/obesity on the pattern of association of GWAS-significant hypertension/BP susceptibility genes with PE: these genes are linked with PE in preBMI ≥ 25 pregnant women and are not PE-involved in the preBMI < 25 group.

Association of Concomitant Gestational Hypertensive Disorders and Gestational Diabetes With Cardiovascular Disease

IMPORTANCE

Accruing evidence suggests that gestational hypertensive disorders (GHTD) and gestational diabetes (GD) are each associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the extent to which the co-occurrence of GHTD and GD is associated with the risk of CVD remains largely unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the individual and joint associations of GHTD and GD with incident CVD.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This population-based cohort study used the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care of Ontario (Canada) health care administrative databases. All women in Ontario with a GHTD and/or GD diagnosis, and a live-birth singleton delivery between July 1, 2007, and March 31, 2018, were considered for inclusion. Women with pregravid diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed from November 2021 to September 2022.

EXPOSURES

GD and/or GHTD, defined using diagnosis coding.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Individual and joint associations of GHTD and GD with incident CVD (including a composite of myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, coronary artery bypass grafting, percutaneous coronary intervention, or carotid endarterectomy), estimated using Cox regression models, adjusting for relevant cardiometabolic risk factors. The follow-up extended from the index pregnancy until March 31, 2020.

RESULTS

Among 886 295 eligible women (mean [SD] age, 30 [5.6] years; 43 861 [4.9%] with isolated GHTD, 54 061 [6.1%] with isolated GD, and 4975 [0.6%] with GHTD and GD), there were 1999 CVD events over 12 years of follow-up. In the early postpartum phase (first 5 years post partum), there was no association of co-occurrence of GTHD and GD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.42, 95% CI, 0.78-2.58) or GD alone (aHR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.60-1.06) with CVD; there was an association between isolated GTHD and incident CVD compared with no GTHD and no GD (aHR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.51-2.35). In the late postpartum period (after the initial 5 years post partum), compared with no GD and no GHTD, isolated GHTD (aHR, 1.41, 95% CI, 1.12-1.76) and co-occurrence of GHTD and GD (aHR, 2.43, 95% CI, 1.60-3.67) were each associated with a higher risk of incident CVD. There was no association between isolated GD and incident CVD.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, GHTD was associated with a high risk of CVD post partum, and the co-occurrence of GD and GHTD was associated with a much greater postpartum CVD risk. These findings suggest that CVD preventive care is particularly needed in the aftermath of combined GD and GHTD.

Risk of obstetric and neonatal morbidity in gestational diabetes in a single institution: A retrospective, observational study

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as a carbohydrate intolerance with onset or first recognition occurring during pregnancy and GDM could be risk factor for various maternal fetal complications. This study aimed to investigate risks of maternal and neonatal outcomes according to GDM and normal glucose tolerance. This retrospective, observational study included singleton pregnant women who had received a 50-g oral glucose challenge test in 2nd trimester of gestation and gave birth at National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital. Maternal and neonatal complications were compared between GDM and non-GDM groups. Among the 682 women, 56 were diagnosed with GDM and 626 were non-GDM group. Maternal age was older and prepregnant body mass index was higher in GDM. The rate of cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, and transfusion was similar; however, the incidence of preterm birth was higher in GDM. Multivariate analysis, however, showed that GDM was independent risk factor only for preterm birth in <37 weeks (adjusted odds ratio, 2.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-4.36). Regarding neonatal morbidities, APGAR score <7 at 5 minutes and the rate of macrosomia were similar; however, the rates of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, large for gestational age (LGA), and intubation were higher in GDM. Multivariate analysis, however, showed that GDM was not independent risk factor for LGA, NICU admission, and intubation rate. Compared with the non-GDM group, GDM was associated with an increased likelihood of preterm birth <37 weeks, however, did not increase cesarean delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, LGA, and NICU admission rate. This study showed that the majority of women with GDM delivered with similar maternal and neonatal outcomes in non-GDM women.

Morbidly obese pregnant woman with congenital leptin deficiency: Follow-up and obstetric outcome

Congenital leptin deficiency is a rare congenital genetic disease. It is characterized by early-onset, severe morbid obesity. The disease occurs due to mutations in the LEP gene. Obesity is a severe consequence of the disease. It also causes reproductive and obstetric complications. In this study, we present a 26-year-old pregnant case who had been previously diagnosed with congenital leptin deficiency. The pregnancy made it more difficult to regulate the metabolic changes caused by the disease. Problems were held by a multidisciplinary approach, with the contribution of endocrinology and cardiology departments. The patient gave birth to a healthy girl at the 37th week of gestation. Spontaneous pregnancy resulting in a live birth is very uncommon in women with congenital leptin deficiency. The follow-up and treatment approaches during pregnancy and the obstetric outcome are presented with the literature.

Second-Trimester Constituents of the Metabolic Syndrome and Pregnancy Outcome: An Observational Cohort Study

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women in later life. In the general population, metabolic syndrome (MetS) shows identical associations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between GDM, constituents of MetS and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Of 2041 pregnant women undergoing an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) between 22 and 30 weeks of gestation, data were collected to evaluate the constituents of MetS. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to determine the associations between MetS and pregnancy outcomes. Results: GDM and obesity did not affect the risk of fetal growth abnormalities (SGA/LGA), preterm birth or preeclampsia (PE). Hypertension significantly increased the risk of SGA (OR—1.59), PE (OR—3.14), and preterm birth <37 weeks (OR—2.17) and <34 weeks (OR—2.96) and reduced the occurrence of LGA (OR—0.46). Dyslipidemia increased the risk of PE (OR—2.25), while proteinuria increased the risk of PE (OR—12.64) and preterm birth (OR—4.72). Having ≥2 constituents increased the risk of PE and preterm birth. Conclusions: Constituents of metabolic syndrome, rather than treating impaired glucose handling, increased the risk of preeclampsia, altered fetal growth and preterm birth. Obesity was not related to adverse outcomes.

Obesity and risk of female reproductive conditions: A Mendelian randomisation study

BACKGROUND

Obesity is observationally associated with altered risk of many female reproductive conditions. These include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, infertility, and pregnancy-related disorders. However, the roles and mechanisms of obesity in the aetiology of reproductive disorders remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to estimate observational and genetically predicted causal associations between obesity, metabolic hormones, and female reproductive disorders.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Logistic regression, generalised additive models, and Mendelian randomisation (MR) (2-sample, non-linear, and multivariable) were applied to obesity and reproductive disease data on up to 257,193 women of European ancestry in UK Biobank and publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and WHR adjusted for BMI were observationally (odds ratios [ORs] = 1.02-1.87 per 1-SD increase in obesity trait) and genetically (ORs = 1.06-2.09) associated with uterine fibroids (UF), PCOS, heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), and pre-eclampsia. Genetically predicted visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass was associated with the development of HMB (OR [95% CI] per 1-kg increase in predicted VAT mass = 1.32 [1.06-1.64], P = 0.0130), PCOS (OR [95% CI] = 1.15 [1.08-1.23], P = 3.24 × 10-05), and pre-eclampsia (OR [95% CI] = 3.08 [1.98-4.79], P = 6.65 × 10-07). Increased waist circumference posed a higher genetic risk (ORs = 1.16-1.93) for the development of these disorders and UF than did increased hip circumference (ORs = 1.06-1.10). Leptin, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance each mediated between 20% and 50% of the total genetically predicted association of obesity with pre-eclampsia. Reproductive conditions clustered based on shared genetic components of their aetiological relationships with obesity. This study was limited in power by the low prevalence of female reproductive conditions among women in the UK Biobank, with little information on pre-diagnostic anthropometric traits, and by the susceptibility of MR estimates to genetic pleiotropy.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that common indices of overall and central obesity were associated with increased risks of reproductive disorders to heterogenous extents in a systematic, large-scale genetics-based analysis of the aetiological relationships between obesity and female reproductive conditions. Our results suggest the utility of exploring the mechanisms mediating the causal associations of overweight and obesity with gynaecological health to identify targets for disease prevention and treatment.

Hypertension in Pregnancy: Diagnosis, Blood Pressure Goals, and Pharmacotherapy: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) remain one of the major causes of pregnancy-related maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Affected women are also at increased risk for cardiovascular disease later in life, independently of traditional cardiovascular disease risks. Despite the immediate and long-term cardiovascular disease risks, recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of HDP in the United States have changed little, if at all, over past decades, unlike hypertension guidelines for the general population. The reasons for this approach include the question of benefit from normalization of blood pressure treatment for pregnant women, coupled with theoretical concerns for fetal well-being from a reduction in utero-placental perfusion and in utero exposure to antihypertensive medication. This report is based on a review of current literature and includes normal physiological changes in pregnancy that may affect clinical presentation of HDP; HDP epidemiology and the immediate and long-term sequelae of HDP; the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, an HDP commonly associated with proteinuria and increasingly recognized as a heterogeneous disease with different clinical phenotypes and likely distinct pathological mechanisms; a critical overview of current national and international HDP guidelines; emerging evidence that reducing blood pressure treatment goals in pregnancy may reduce maternal severe hypertension without increasing the risk of pregnancy loss, high-level neonatal care, or overall maternal complications; and the increasingly recognized morbidity associated with postpartum hypertension/preeclampsia. Finally, we discuss the future of research in the field and the pressing need to study socioeconomic and biological factors that may contribute to racial and ethnic maternal health care disparities.

Maternal hemodynamic changes in gestational diabetes: a prospective case-control study

PURPOSE

The aim of the study is to compare maternal hemodynamic adaptations in gestational diabetes (GDM) versus healthy pregnancies.

METHODS

A prospective case-control study was conducted, comparing 69 singleton pregnancies with GDM and 128 controls, recruited between September 2018 and April 2019 in Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. Hemodynamic assessment by UltraSonic Cardiac Output Monitor (USCOM) was performed in both groups in four gestational age intervals: 17-20 weeks (only in early GDM cases), 26-30 weeks, 32-35 weeks and 36-39 weeks. We evaluated six hemodynamic parameters comparing GDM cases versus controls: cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), total vascular resistance (TVR), inotropy index (INO) and potential to kinetic energy ratio (PKR).

RESULTS

GDM group had significantly lower values of CO and SV than controls from the early third trimester (26-30 weeks) until term (p < 0.001). CI is significantly lower in GDM women already at the first evaluation (p = 0.002), whereas TVR and PKR were significantly higher in GDM (p < 0.001). GDM women showed also lower INO values than controls in all assessments.

CONCLUSIONS

A hemodynamic maternal maladaptation to pregnancy can be detected in GDM women. The effect of hyperglycemia on vascular system or a poor pre-pregnancy cardiovascular (CV) reserve could explain this hemodynamic maladaptation. The abnormal CV response to pregnancy in GDM women may reveal a predisposition to develop CV disease later in life and might help in identifying patients who need a CV follow-up.

The effects of aging on male mouse pancreatic β-cell function involve multiple events in the regulation of secretion: influence of insulin sensitivity

Aging is associated with a decline in peripheral insulin sensitivity and an increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes. During conditions of reduced insulin sensitivity, pancreatic β-cells undergo adaptive responses to increase insulin secretion and maintain euglycemia. However, the existence and nature of β-cell adaptations and/or alterations during aging are still a matter of debate. In this study, we investigated the effects of aging on β-cell function from control (3-month-old) and aged (20-month-old) mice. Aged animals were further categorized in two groups: high insulin sensitive (aged-HIS) and low insulin sensitive (aged-LIS). Aged-LIS mice were hyperinsulinemic, glucose intolerant and displayed impaired glucose-stimulated insulin and C-peptide secretion, whereas aged-HIS animals showed characteristics in glucose homeostasis similar to controls. In isolated β-cells, we observed that glucose-induced inhibition of KATP channel activity was reduced with aging, particularly in the aged-LIS group. Glucose-induced islet NAD(P)H production was decreased in aged mice, suggesting impaired mitochondrial function. In contrast, voltage-gated Ca 2+ currents were higher in aged-LIS β-cells, and pancreatic islets of both aged groups displayed increased glucose-induced Ca 2+ signaling and augmented insulin secretion compared with controls. Morphological analysis of pancreas sections also revealed augmented β-cell mass with aging, especially in the aged-LIS group, as well as ultrastructural β-cell changes. Altogether, these findings indicate that aged mouse β-cells compensate for the aging-induced alterations in the stimulus-secretion coupling, particularly by adjusting their Ca 2+ influx to ensure insulin secretion. These results also suggest that decreased peripheral insulin sensitivity exacerbates the effects of aging on β-cells.

Association of pre-pregnancy subclinical insulin resistance with cardiac dysfunction in healthy nulliparous women

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between pre-pregnancy subclinical insulin resistance and cardiovascular dysfunction in healthy nulliparous women, and with hypertension in subsequent pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

Secondary analysis of a single center prospective observational study conducted November 2011-June 2014. Healthy nulliparous women underwent detailed cardiovascular and metabolic assessment. Insulin resistance was determined by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Associations of HOMA-IR with metabolic and cardiovascular measurements were assessed with Spearman correlations. Charts were reviewed in women who conceived singleton pregnancies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Metabolic measurements included serum glucose, insulin, creatinine, CRP, and lipids. HOMA-IR was calculated using fasting serum insulin and glucose. Indices of cardiovascular stiffness were determined from pulse wave velocity and response to volume challenge. Pregnancy outcomes included delivery mode and gestational age, birthweight, and hypertension.

RESULTS

HOMA-IR was positively associated with BMI (r = 0.462, p < 0.001), body fat percentile (r = 0.463, p < 0.001), CRP (r = 0.364, p = 0.003), and negatively associated with serum HDL (r = -0.38, p = 0.002) and creatinine (r = -0.242, p = 0.049). HOMA-IR was positively associated with blood pressure (r = 0.347, p = 0.004), resting heart rate (r = 0.433, p = <0.001), response to volume challenge (r = 0.325, p < 0.01). Increased HOMA-IR was associated with a faster cardiac ejection time in response to volume challenge (r = -0.415, p < 0.001), which is a marker of decreased cardiac compliance to volume increase, or cardiac stiffness.

CONCLUSION

HOMA-IR is associated with pre-pregnancy cardiac stiffness. Cholesterol was not associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. A non-significant trend was observed between HOMA-IR and hypertension in subsequent pregnancy.

Adipose tissue function in healthy pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus and pre-eclampsia

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common disorder of pregnancy with short- and long-term consequences for mother and baby. Pre-eclampsia is of major concern to obstetricians due to its sudden onset and increased morbidity and mortality for mother and baby. The incidence of these conditions continues to increase due to widespread maternal obesity. Maternal obesity is a risk factor for GDM and pre-eclampsia, yet our understanding of the role of adipose tissue and adipocyte biology in their aetiology is very limited. In this article, available data on adipose tissue and adipocyte function in healthy and obese pregnancy and how these are altered in GDM and pre-eclampsia are reviewed. Using our understanding of adipose tissue and adipocyte biology in non-pregnant populations, a role for underlying adipocyte dysfunction in the pathological pathways of these conditions is discussed.

Cardiac Biomarkers in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

In recent years, biomarkers have taken a central place in the assessment of cardiovascular diseases – from prediction to management and prognosis. On the other hand, enough evidence exists to assume that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy share a certain connection with cardiovascular diseases – from common risk factors and underlying mechanisms to the presence of a higher risk for women for the development of a great number of cardiovascular diseases, such as arterial hypertension, coronary atherosclerosis, stroke, peripheral artery disease, venous thromboembolism, and even a higher cardiovascular mortality. The key to a better understanding of the unfavorable cardiovascular profile of women with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy may lie in their assessment with biomarkers, typically used in the field of cardiology. In this review, we have included studies investigating the use of cardiovascular biomarkers during or after a hypertensive pregnancy, namely, natriuretic peptides, high-sensitivity cardiac troponins, growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2), and galectin-3.

Integrated analysis of multiple microarray studies to identify potential pathogenic gene modules in preeclampsia

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia is a life-threatening hypertensive disorder during pregnancy, while underlying pathogenesis and its diagnosis are incomplete.

METHODS

In this study, we utilized the Robust Rank Aggregation method to integrate 6 eligible preeclampsia microarray datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus database. We used linear regression to assess the associations between significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and blood pressure. Functional annotation, protein-protein interaction, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and single sample GSEA were employed for investigating underlying pathogenesis in preeclampsia.

RESULTS

We filtered 52 DEGs and further screened for 5 hub genes (leptin, pappalysin 2, endoglin, fms related receptor tyrosine kinase 1, tripartite motif containing 24) that were positively correlated with both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Receiver operating characteristic indicated that hub genes were potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in preeclampsia. GSEA for single hub gene revealed that they were all closely related to angiogenesis and estrogen response in preeclampsia. Moreover, single sample GSEA showed that the expression levels of 5 hub genes were correlated with those of immune cells in immunologic microenvironment at maternal-fetal interface.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide new insights into underlying pathogenesis in preeclampsia; 5 hub genes were identified as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in preeclampsia.

Prediction of preeclampsia risk in first time pregnant women: Metabolite biomarkers for a clinical test

Preeclampsia remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Accurate prediction of preeclampsia risk would enable more effective, risk-based prenatal care pathways. Current risk assessment algorithms depend on clinical risk factors largely unavailable for first-time pregnant women. Delivering accurate preeclampsia risk assessment to this cohort of women, therefore requires for novel biomarkers. Here, we evaluated the relevance of metabolite biomarker candidates for their selection into a prototype rapid, quantitative Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based clinical screening assay. First, a library of targeted LC-MS/MS assays for metabolite biomarker candidates was developed, using a medium-throughput translational metabolomics workflow, to verify biomarker potential in the Screening-for-Pregnancy-Endpoints (SCOPE, European branch) study. A variable pre-selection step was followed by the development of multivariable prediction models for pre-defined clinical use cases, i.e., prediction of preterm preeclampsia risk and of any preeclampsia risk. Within a large set of metabolite biomarker candidates, we confirmed the potential of dilinoleoyl-glycerol and heptadecanoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine to effectively complement Placental Growth Factor, an established preeclampsia biomarker, for the prediction of preeclampsia risk in first-time pregnancies without overt risk factors. These metabolites will be considered for integration in a prototype rapid, quantitative LC-MS/MS assay, and subsequent validation in an independent cohort.

Identification and characterization of methylation-mediated transcriptional dysregulation dictate methylation roles in preeclampsia

Background

Preeclampsia (PE) is a heterogeneous, hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, with no robust biomarkers or effective treatments. PE increases the risk of poor outcomes for both the mother and the baby. Methylation-mediated transcriptional dysregulation motifs (methTDMs) could contribute the PE development. However, precise functional roles of methTDMs in PE have not been globally described.

Methods

Here, we develop a comprehensive and computational pipeline to identify PE-specific methTDMs following TF, gene, methylation expression profile, and experimentally verified TF-gene interactions.

Results

The regulation patterns of methTDMs are multiple and complex in PE and contain relax inhibition, intensify inhibition, relax activation, intensify activation, reverse activation, and reverse inhibition. A core module is extracted from global methTDM network to further depict the mechanism of methTDMs in PE. The common and specific features of any two kinds of regulation pattern are also analyzed in PE. Some key methylation sites, TFs, and genes such as IL2RG are identified in PE. Functional analysis shows that methTDMs are associated with immune-, insulin-, and NK cell-related functions. Drug-related network identifies some key drug repurposing candidates such as NADH.

Conclusion

Collectively, the study highlighted the effect of methylation on the transcription process in PE. MethTDMs could contribute to identify specific biomarkers and drug repurposing candidates for PE.

Dihydrotestosterone potentiates insulin to up-regulate prokineticin-1 in decidualizing human endometrial stromal cells

Prokineticin 1 (PROK1) is a key regulator of embryo implantation and placentation, and its dysregulation is associated with pregnancy complications, such as pre‐eclampsia and foetal growth restriction. We have previously shown that insulin strongly enhances the expression of PROK1 in human decidualizing stromal cells. Here, we demonstrate that dihydrotestosterone (DHT), but not testosterone, potentiates insulin to up‐regulate PROK1 in these cells. However, the androgens alone do not influence the expression of PROK1. Our findings suggest that insulin and androgens both are involved in the regulation of PROK1 that could have implications for normal and pathological pregnancies.

Cardiovascular Disease-Related Pregnancy Complications Are Associated with Increased Maternal Levels and Trajectories of Cardiovascular Disease Biomarkers During and After Pregnancy

Background: Having a pregnancy complicated by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and/or having a small or preterm baby put a woman at risk for later cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is uncertain if higher maternal CVD risk factors (reflected by increased peripartum CVD biomarker levels) account for this risk, or if experiencing a complicated pregnancy itself increases a woman's CVD risk (reflected by an increase in biomarker trajectories from early pregnancy to postpartum). Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of an 8-week mindful eating and stress reduction intervention in 110 pregnant women. We used mixed linear regression analysis to compare CVD biomarker levels and trajectories, between women with and without a CVD-related pregnancy complication (including HDP [gestational hypertension or preeclampsia] or having a small for gestational age [<10th percentile] or preterm [<37 weeks] baby), at three times: (1) 12-20 weeks of gestation, (2) 3 months postpartum, and (3) 9 months postpartum. CVD biomarkers studied included serum glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor, and lipids. We adjusted for age, maternal smoking, prepregnancy BMI, BP, age × time, and BMI × time. Results: Women had a mean age of 28 years (standard deviation [SD] 6), mean prior pregnancies of 0.8 (SD 1.0), and 22 women had one or more CVD-related pregnancy complications. HOMA-IR, diastolic BP, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and IL-6 average levels, but not trajectories, differed among women with complicated versus normal pregnancy (all p values were ≤0.04). Peripartum glucose and systolic BP trajectories were statistically greater in complicated versus normal pregnancies (p values were 0.008 and 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: We conclude that the experience of a complicated pregnancy in addition to elevated CVD risk factor levels may both increase a woman's risk of future CVD. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01307683.

Gene expression and DNA methylation changes in BeWo cells dependent on tumor necrosis factor-α and insulin-like growth factor-I

Pregnant women with increased insulin resistance, characterized by elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), are at high risk of preeclampsia. We hypothesized that TNF-α and IGF-I affect the placentas and cause pathological changes leading to preeclampsia. To understand the genetic and epigenetic effects of TNF-α and IGF-I on trophoblast cells, gene expression microarray and DNA methylation array of BeWo cells stimulated by TNF-α (100 pg/ml, 100 ng/ml) and IGF-I (100 ng/ml) were conducted. Microarray analysis revealed the differential gene expression patterns in BeWo cells co-stimulated by TNF-α and IGF-I. Enrichment analysis identified the terms associated with NF-kappa B signaling pathways and arachidonic acid cascades such as PTGS2 and PTGER2. DNA methylation array revealed the distinct CpG methylation pattern in BeWo cells stimulated by high-TNF-α and IGF-I, while neither of them showed independent effects. Enrichment analysis identified the terms associated with major histocompatibility complex proteins. Integration of transcriptome and DNA methylome analyses identified three differentially expressed genes with significant DNA methylation change: C3, GP1BA, and NFKBIE, which are all possibly associated with pathogenesis of preeclampsia. In conclusion, co-stimulation of TNF-α and IGF-I induced the genetic and epigenetic changes associated with preeclampsia in BeWo cells. The results suggested that BeWo cells stimulated by TNF-α and IGF-I is a good in vitro model of preeclamptic placenta in pregnancy with increased insulin resistance.

Individual free fatty acids have unique associations with inflammatory biomarkers, insulin resistance and insulin secretion in healthy and gestational diabetic pregnant women

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the relationships of maternal circulating individual free fatty acids (FFA) with insulin resistance, insulin secretion and inflammatory biomarkers during mid-pregnancy.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The data were drawn from a prospective cohort of generally healthy pregnant women (n=1368, African-American 36%, Hispanic 48%, Caucasian 16%) in Camden, NJ. We quantitatively determined 11 FFAs, seven cytokine/adipokine, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and C-peptide levels from the fasting blood samples that were collected at 16 weeks of gestation. Multivariate analyses were performed along with separate analyses for each individual FFA.

RESULTS

High HOMA-IR (p<0.001) and C-peptide (p<0.0001) levels were positively associated with a twofold to fourfold increased risk for developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Negative relationships were found with specific FFAs (molecular percentage, palmitoleic, oleic, linolenic, myristic acids) and HOMA-IR and C-peptide levels (p<0.01 to p<0.0001). In contrast, palmitic, stearic, arachidonic, dihomo-γ-linolenic (DGLA) and docosahexaenoic acids were positively associated with HOMA-IR and C-peptide (p<0.01 to p<0.0001). The individual FFAs also predicted cytokine/adipokine levels. For example, women who had elevated DGLA (highest quartile) were twice as (adjusted OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.42 to 2.98) likely to have higher interleukin (IL)-8 (p<0.0001) levels. Conversely, women with high palmitoleic, oleic, and linolenic acid levels had reduced odds (≥2-fold, p<0.01 to p<0.001) for having higher IL-8, IL-6 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that maternal individual FFAs uniquely affect insulin resistance and secretion. The effects are either direct or indirect via modulation of the inflammatory response. Modifying the composition of FFAs may help in reducing the risk of GDM.

Mothers with HIP - The short term and long-term impact, what is new?

Hyperglycemia is one of the most common medical conditions that women encounter during pregnancy and it is due to gestational diabetes (GDM) in the majority of cases (International Diabetes Federation, 2015) [1]. GDM is associated with a higher incidence of maternal morbidity in pregnancy in term of hypertensive disorders/preclampsia and higher rate of cesarean delivery but also with long-term risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Pregnancy can therefore be considered a stress test; diagnosis of HIP can unmask a preexisting susceptibility and consequently a future risk for type 2 diabetes and can be a useful marker of future cardiovascular risk. Postpartum follow up provides an excellent opportunity to implement healthy lifestyle behaviors to prevent or delay the development of diabetes or cardiovascular disease. The aim of the current review is to focus on short and long term maternal morbidity of HIP.

The global burden of hyperglycemia in pregnancy - Trends from studies in the last decade

Concurrent with the rise in obesity, global rates of diabetes are increasing at alarming rates in both developed and developing nations. As these conditions become more prevalent among women of reproductive age, rates of hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) are also increasing. HIP is associated with many immediate perinatal complications which affect both maternal and fetal/neonatal health, as well as with more long term complications. Long term complications include an increase in chronic non-communicable diseases in both mother and offspring, therefore affecting future generations. In addition to these health burdens, pregnancies complicated by hyperglycemia are also associated with greater economic costs. It is therefore imperative to allocate educational and health care dollars and resources to decelerate the increasing prevalence of diabetes and HIP.

Impact of late pregnancy haemoglobin A1c at 29-30 weeks' gestation on adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with pre-existing diabetes: a retrospective analysis

This study was to assess the relationship between late pregnancy haemoglobin A_1C (HbA_1C) at 29-30 weeks of gestation and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) in 272 pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes. HbA_1C ≥6.1% was associated with significantly increased risk of preterm delivery, Caesarean section, large for gestational age (LGA), neonatal respiratory distress, neonatal hypoglycaemia, and composite adverse neonatal outcome (p < .05). The risk of pre-eclampsia increased significantly at the lower HbA_1C cut-off of > 5.6% (p = .039). Reduction of HbA_1C cut-off from 6.1% to 5.6% improved the sensitivity but reduced the specificity for prediction of APOs. Overall, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated the moderate predictive value of late pregnancy HbA_1C for APOs. In conclusion, elevated late pregnancy HbA_1C levels at 29-30 gestational weeks had a negative impact on APOs in pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes. However, HbA_1C cut-off levels of neither ≥6.1% nor >5.6% were ideal for predicting APOs. Impact statement What is already known on this subject: Poorly controlled diabetes is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Periconceptual haemoglobin A_1C (HbA_1C) correlates well with the risk of foetal anomaly but is not predictive of APOs at time of delivery. New evidence suggested that late pregnancy HbA_1C is predictive of APOs but the definitions of a late pregnancy gestational week and target HbA_1C cutpoint remain in doubt. What the results of this study add: This study investigated the relationship between late pregnancy HbA_1C levels at 29-30 weeks of gestation and the APOs among pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes. Late pregnancy HbA_1C ≥ 6.1% correlated with the risk of APOs but the increased risk of pre-eclampsia only became significant at the lower cut-off of >5.6%. Reducing HbA_1C cut-off from 6.1% to 5.6% improved the sensitivity but reduced the specificity for prediction of APOs. Overall, late pregnancy HbA_1C had a moderate predictive value for APOs. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: HbA_1C cut-off levels of neither ≥6.1% nor >5.6% were ideal in predicting APOs among pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes. As HbA_1C levels tend to drop in pregnancy, caution should be taken when interpreting HbA_1C in pregnancy. More multi-centred studies are required to explore the respective glycaemic target for each APO and to determine the ideal timing for late pregnancy HbA_1C measurement.

Prokineticin 1 is up-regulated by insulin in decidualizing human endometrial stromal cells

Prokineticin 1 (PROK1), a hypoxia‐regulated angiogenic factor, has emerged as a crucial regulator of embryo implantation and placentation. Dysregulation of PROK1 has been linked to recurrent pregnancy loss, pre‐eclampsia, foetal growth restriction and preterm birth. These pregnancy complications are common in women with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome, i.e. conditions associated with insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinaemia. We investigated the effect of insulin on PROK1 expression during in vitro decidualization. Endometrial stromal cells were isolated from six healthy, regularly menstruating women and decidualized in vitro. Insulin induced a significant dose‐dependent up‐regulation of PROK1 on both mRNA and protein level in decidualizing endometrial stromal cells. This up‐regulation was mediated by hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha (HIF1α) via the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PROK1 did not affect the viability, but significantly inhibited the migration of endometrial stromal cells and the migratory and invasive capacity of trophoblast cell lines. This in vitro study provides new insights into the regulation of PROK1 by insulin in human decidualizing endometrial stromal cells, the action of PROK1 on migration of endometrial stromal cells, as well as migration and invasion of trophoblasts. We speculate that hyperinsulinaemia may be involved in the mechanisms by which PROK1 is linked to placenta‐related pregnancy complications.

Maternal childhood cardiometabolic risk factors and pregnancy complications

PURPOSE

The influence of childhood health on later-life health outcomes is increasingly hypothesized but rarely tested. We examined the relationship between cardiometabolic indicators in childhood and risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.

METHODS

Childhood measurements from 755 women in the Bogalusa Heart Study included body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, and glucose. Average childhood values were estimated by area under the curve computed from longitudinal quadratic random-effects growth models to account for the unequally spaced repeated measures. Women reported pregnancy complications, and medical records were linked to interview data where possible. Log-Poisson models predicted adjusted risk associated with an interquartile range increase in cardiometabolic indicators.

RESULTS

Elevated childhood insulin was associated with 10%-15% increased risk across the three outcomes. Elevated childhood SBP was associated with preeclampsia (SBP RR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.01) and SBP, DBP, and body mass index predicted pregnancy-induced hypertension (SBP RR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.65, 2.82; DBP RR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.38, 2.43; BMI RR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.41, 1.98). Blood pressure mediated the association between childhood body mass index and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest the potential long-term impact of early-life cardiometabolic profiles on complications of pregnancy.

Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and risk of type 2 diabetes in later life: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Many studies assessed the association between hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in later life, but contradictory findings were reported. A systemic review and meta-analysis was carried out to elucidate type 2 diabetes mellitus risk in women with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for cohort or case-control studies on the association between hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and subsequent type 2 diabetes mellitus. Random-effect model was used to pool risk estimates. Bayesian meta-analysis was carried out to further estimate the type 2 diabetes mellitus risk associated with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Seventeen cohort or prospective matched case-control studies were finally included. Those 17 studies involved 2,984,634 women and 46,732 type 2 diabetes mellitus cases. Overall, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy were significantly correlated with type 2 diabetes mellitus risk (relative risk = 1.56, 95 % confidence interval 1.21-2.01, P = 0.001). Preeclampsia was significantly and independently correlated with type 2 diabetes mellitus risk (relative risk = 2.25, 95 % confidence interval 1.73-2.90, P < 0.001). In addition, gestational hypertension was also significantly and independently correlated with subsequent type 2 diabetes mellitus risk (relative risk = 2.06, 95 % confidence interval 1.57-2.69, P < 0.001). The pooled estimates were not significantly altered in the subgroup analyses of studies on preeclampsia or gestational hypertension. Bayesian meta-analysis showed the relative risks of type 2 diabetes mellitus risk for individuals with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension were 1.59 (95 % credibility interval: 1.11-2.32), 2.27 (95 % credibility interval: 1.67-2.97), and 2.06 (95 % credibility interval: 1.41-2.84), respectively. Publication bias was not evident in the meta-analysis. Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension are independently associated with substantially elevated risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in later life.

Metabolic abnormalities and obesity's impact on the risk for developing preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is increasing as a major contributor to perinatal and long-term morbidity of mother and offspring. PE is thought to originate from ischemic insults in the placenta driving the release of prohypertensive anti-angiogenic [soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1)] and proinflammatory [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] factors into the maternal circulation. Whereas the increased incidence of PE is hypothesized to be largely due to the obesity pandemic, the mechanisms whereby obesity increases this risk are unknown. The maternal endothelium is targeted by placental and adipose tissue-derived factors like sFlt-1 and TNF-α that promote hypertension during pregnancy, resulting in vascular dysfunction and hypertension. Interestingly, not all obese pregnant women develop PE. Data suggest that obese pregnant women with the greatest metabolic abnormalities have the highest incidence of PE. Identifying obesity-related mechanisms driving hypertension in some obese pregnant women and pathways that protect normotensive obese pregnant women, may uncover novel protocols to treat PE. Metabolic abnormalities, such as increased circulating leptin, glucose, insulin, and lipids, are likely to increase the risk for PE in obese women. It is not only important to understand whether each of these metabolic factors contribute to the increased risk for PE in obesity, but also their cumulative effects. This is particularly relevant to obese pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) where all of these factors are increased and the risk for PE is highest. It is speculated that these factors potentiate the anti-angiogenic and proinflammatory mechanisms of placental ischemia-induced vascular dysfunction thereby contributing to the increasing incidence of PE.

The green tea polyphenol EGCG alleviates maternal diabetes-induced neural tube defects by inhibiting DNA hypermethylation

BACKGROUND

Maternal diabetes increases the risk of neural tube defects in offspring. Our previous study demonstrated that the green tea polyphenol, Epigallocatechin gallate, inhibits high glucose-induced neural tube defects in cultured embryos. However, the therapeutic effect of Epigallocatechin gallate on maternal diabetes-induced neural tube defects is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine whether Epigallocatechin gallate treatment can reduce maternal diabetes-induced DNA methylation and neural tube defects.

STUDY DESIGN

Nondiabetic and diabetic pregnant mice at embryonic day 5.5 were given drinking water with or without 1 or 10 μM Epigallocatechin gallate. At embryonic day 8.75, embryos were dissected from the visceral yolk sac for the measurement of the levels and activity of DNA methyltransferases, the levels of global DNA methylation, and methylation in the CpG islands of neural tube closure essential gene promoters. embryonic day 10.5 embryos were examined for neural tube defect incidence.

RESULTS

Epigallocatechin gallate treatment did not affect embryonic development because embryos from nondiabetic dams treated with Epigallocatechin gallate did not exhibit any neural tube defects. Treatment with 1 μM Epigallocatechin gallate did not reduce maternal diabetes-induced neural tube defects significantly. Embryos from diabetic dams treated with 10 μM Epigallocatechin gallate had a significantly lower neural tube defect incidence compared with that of embryos without Epigallocatechin gallate treatment. Epigallocatechin gallate reduced neural tube defect rates from 29.5% to 2%, an incidence that is comparable with that of embryos from nondiabetic dams. Ten micromoles of Epigallocatechin gallate treatment blocked maternal diabetes-increased DNA methyltransferases 3a and 3b expression and their activities, leading to the suppression of global DNA hypermethylation. Additionally, 10 μM Epigallocatechin gallate abrogated maternal diabetes-increased DNA methylation in the CpG islands of neural tube closure essential genes, including Grhl3, Pax3, and Tulp3.

CONCLUSION

Epigallocatechin gallate reduces maternal diabetes-induced neural tube defects formation and blocks the enhanced expression and activity of DNA methyltransferases, leading to the suppression of DNA hypermethylation and the restoration of neural tube closure essential gene expression. These observations suggest that Epigallocatechin gallate supplements could mitigate the teratogenic effects of hyperglycemia on the developing embryo and prevent diabetes-induced neural tube defects.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus induces congenital heart defects in murine embryos by increasing oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Maternal type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus are strongly associated with high rates of severe structural birth defects, including congenital heart defects. Studies in type 1 diabetic embryopathy animal models have demonstrated that cellular stress-induced apoptosis mediates the teratogenicity of maternal diabetes leading to congenital heart defect formation. However, the mechanisms underlying maternal type 2 diabetes mellitus-induced congenital heart defects remain largely unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to determine whether oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and excessive apoptosis are the intracellular molecular mechanisms underlying maternal type 2 diabetes mellitus-induced congenital heart defects.

STUDY DESIGN

A mouse model of maternal type 2 diabetes mellitus was established by feeding female mice a high-fat diet (60% fat). After 15 weeks on the high-fat diet, the mice showed characteristics of maternal type 2 diabetes mellitus. Control dams were either fed a normal diet (10% fat) or the high-fat diet during pregnancy only. Female mice from the high-fat diet group and the 2 control groups were mated with male mice that were fed a normal diet. At E12.5, embryonic hearts were harvested to determine the levels of lipid peroxides and superoxide, endoplasmic reticulum stress markers, cleaved caspase 3 and 8, and apoptosis. E17.5 embryonic hearts were harvested for the detection of congenital heart defect formation using India ink vessel patterning and histological examination.

RESULTS

Maternal type 2 diabetes mellitus significantly induced ventricular septal defects and persistent truncus arteriosus in the developing heart, along with increasing oxidative stress markers, including superoxide and lipid peroxidation; endoplasmic reticulum stress markers, including protein levels of phosphorylated-protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, phosphorylated-IRE1α, phosphorylated-eIF2α, C/EBP homologous protein, and binding immunoglobulin protein; endoplasmic reticulum chaperone gene expression; and XBP1 messenger RNA splicing, as well as increased cleaved caspase 3 and 8 in embryonic hearts. Furthermore, maternal type 2 diabetes mellitus triggered excessive apoptosis in ventricular myocardium, endocardial cushion, and outflow tract of the embryonic heart.

CONCLUSION

Similar to those observations in type 1 diabetic embryopathy, maternal type 2 diabetes mellitus causes heart defects in the developing embryo manifested with oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and excessive apoptosis in heart cells.

Is Mid-trimester Insulin Resistance Predictive of Subsequent Puerperal Infection? A Secondary Analysis of Randomized Trial Data

Objective The objective of this study was to examine whether there is an association between insulin resistance and subsequent development of puerperal infection by measuring insulin resistance in the mid-trimester using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA:IR). Methods Secondary analysis of low-risk nulliparas enrolled in a multicenter preeclampsia prevention trial. HOMA:IR was measured on fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations among low-risk nulliparas between 22 and 26 weeks' gestation. Median HOMA:IR was compared between women who did and did not develop puerperal infection using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Logistic regression was used to control for potential confounders. Results Of 1,180 women with fasting glucose and insulin available, 121 (10.3%) had a puerperal infection. Median HOMA:IR was higher among those with subsequent puerperal infection (4.3 [interquartile, IQR: 2.2-20.5] vs. 2.6 [IQR: 1.5-6.7], p < 0.0001). After controlling for potentially confounding variables HOMA:IR was only marginally associated with an increased risk of development of puerperal infection, adjusted odds ratio: 1.01 (95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.02; p = 0.04) per unit increase. Elevated HOMA:IR performed poorly as a predictor of puerperal infection, with a positive predictive value of 15% and a negative predictive value of 92%. Conclusion Though associated with an increased risk of puerperal infection, insulin resistance, measured by HOMA:IR, is not a clinically useful predictor of puerperal infection.

Maternal serum copeptin concentrations in early- and late-onset pre-eclampsia

OBJECTIVE

Early-onset pre-eclampsia is primarily associated with placental dysfunction, whereas late-onset pre-eclampsia is defined as a maternal constitutional disorder. As a protein cosynthesized with vasopressin, copeptin is a potential marker of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, which shares similar risk factors with pre-eclampsia. The aim of this study was to investigate the copeptin levels in patients with early-onset and late-onset pre-eclampsia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 80 pregnant women receiving antenatal and obstetric care were recruited. The patients were subdivided into four groups: Early-onset pre-eclampsia (n = 20), late-onset pre-eclampsia (n = 20), and two control groups of similar gestational ages for both pre-eclamptic groups (n = 20 in each group). The maternal serum copeptin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The mean copeptin levels were 0.92 ± 0.57 ng/mL and 1.65 ± 0.95 ng/mL in the early-onset and late-onset pre-eclampsia groups, respectively. These values were higher compared with the control groups (0.54 ± 0.25 ng/mL and 1.15 ± 0.94 ng/mL, respectively). However, the difference was only statistically significant in the early-onset pre-eclampsia group (p = 0.011). Copeptin levels were associated only with gestational age and systolic-diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that copeptin levels might be useful in the evaluation of the severity of pre-eclampsia. However, copeptin might be involved in early- rather than late-onset pre-eclampsia.

One-hour versus two-hour postprandial blood glucose measurement in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: which is more predictive?

The purpose of this study is to investigate postprandial 1-h (PP1) and 2-h (PP2) blood glucose measurements' correlation with adverse perinatal outcomes. This prospective cohort study consisted of 259 women with gestational diabetes mellitus. During each antenatal visit, HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) as well as plasma glucose at PP1 and PP2 were analyzed. There were 144 patients on insulin therapy and 115 patients on diet therapy. A total of 531 blood glucose measurements were obtained at different gestational ages between 24 and 41 gestational weeks. PP2 plasma glucose measurements (but not PP1) were positively correlated with fetal macrosomia. But on adjusted analysis, neither PP1 nor PP2 measurements predicted perinatal complications. In addition to PP1 and PP2, neither FPG nor HbA1c were able to predict perinatal complications or fetal macrosomia when controlled for confounding factors except for a positive correlation between fetal macrosomia and HbA1c in patients on diet therapy. Postprandial 1-h and postprandial 2-h plasma glucose measurements were not superior to each other in predicting fetal macrosomia or perinatal complications. Based on our findings, it can be concluded that both methods may be suitable for follow-up as there are no clear advantages of one measurement over the other.