Gene expression profile of whole blood cells differs in pregnant women with positive screening and negative diagnosis for gestational diabetes

Multifaceted therapeutic approach via thiazolidinedione-infused magnolol in chitosan nanoparticles targeting hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in gestational diabetes mellitus in experimental mice

Recent advancements in nanotechnology have sparked interest in the synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles and their potential applications in medicine. This study investigates the synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles infused with thiazolidinedione and magnolol (TZ/ML-ChNPs) and their therapeutic effects on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in experimental mice. Using streptozotocin-induced diabetic pregnant mice as a model, the study examines the anti-diabetic effects of TZ/ML-ChNPs in vitro and explores possible mechanisms of action. Results show a notable decrease in α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities in TZ/ML-ChNPs-treated samples. Cytocompatibility and flow cytometry analysis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic pregnant mice conducted on RIN-5F cell line demonstrate the safety profile of TZ/ML-ChNPs. The primary objective of this research is to assess whether TZ/ML-ChNPs can mitigate hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in diabetic pregnant mice. Chitosan nanoparticles with thiazolidinedione and magnolol have therapeutic effects that may be used in clinical and pharmaceutical applications.

Altered maternal metabolism during mild gestational hyperglycemia as a predictor of adverse perinatal outcomes: A comprehensive analysis

Mild gestational hyperglycemia (MGH), as assessed using the normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and detection of an altered glycemic profile, is associated with adverse perinatal outcome. This study described the results of 40 years of research conducted at the Perinatal Diabetes Research Centre at São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, on the maternal MGH environment and placental markers. This study also described the unidirectional relationship between MGH and excessive fetal growth, also supplying moderator analysis. In addition to hyperglycemia, MGH is associated with an increased incidence of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, persistent insulin resistance after pregnancy, and high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after pregnancy. Structural changes and functional abnormalities resulting from MGH were observed in placenta. The fully adjusted model concluded that the predictor variable (MGH), which creates a complex environment for the fetus, has a direct effect on excessive birth weight and produces a z-score for ratios of birth weight to gestational age of ≥2. Maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, number of previous pregnancies, numbers of prenatal visits, and 1 h OGTT are moderator variables that impact MGH and excessive fetal growth. These results show that maternal MGH has some characteristics associated with similar long-term T2DM development and similar adverse perinatal results to those of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) mothers, making it an intermediate maternal and placental marker between normoglycemic and GDM mothers.

Use of prokineticin-1 (PROK1), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and PROK1/PAPP-A ratio to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes in the first trimester: a prospective study

INTRODUCTION

To compare the predictive effectiveness levels of prokineticin-1 (PROK1), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and the PROK1/PAPP-A ratio in the first trimester for preeclampsia (PE), foetal growth restriction (FGR), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and spontaneous preterm birth (SPB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of randomly selected 162 pregnant women were included. Peripheral blood samples were obtained between 11^0/7 and 13^6/7 gestational weeks (GWs). All women were followed throughout the pregnancy and classified into five groups as having PE, FGR, GDM, SPB and uncomplicated pregnancies. The cut-off levels of the markers were identified to predict adverse outcomes.

RESULTS

PROK1 predicted PE with 83.3% sensitivity, 85.7% specificity at a value of >293.4 pg/mL; at a value of >260.2 pg/mL, PROK1 predicted FGR with 85.7% sensitivity, 72.5% specificity in the first trimester. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of PAPP-A was lower than that of PROK1 and PROK1/PAPP-A in differentiating PE and FGR from the uncomplicated group (p < .001). PROK1 levels and the PROK1/PAPP-A ratios in the SPB and GDM groups were lower than in the uncomplicated group (p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated PROK1 in the first trimester is a more effective marker than PAPP-A in the prediction of PE and FGR. Lower PROK1 levels are associated with the development of SPB and GDM.