Serum chemerin level during the first trimester of pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective: To investigate the association between chemerin level in the first trimester of pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods: The blood samples of 212 women at 8–12?weeks of gestation were collected. After screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), 19 women with GDM and 20 women randomly selected from 144 women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were included in the study. Blood samples were collected from these women. Triglycerides, glucose, total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, insulin and chemerin were measured. Gestational weight gain and body mass index was assessed.

Results: Serum levels of chemerin were significantly elevated during late gestation, and the risk of GDM was positively associated with maternal serum chemerin in the first trimester.

Conclusion: Serum chemerin level during the first trimester of pregnancy has the potential to predict risk of GDM.     

Phenotypic characterization of regulatory T cells populations in maternal blood,cord blood and placenta from diabetic mothers

Purpose: Changes in regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood are associated with a number of pathologies, including diabetes. However, the immunological responses of pregnant diabetic women remain scarcely known, and the effects of Treg cells in these patients have yet to be investigated. The present study characterized the expression of regulatory T cells in the maternal blood, cord blood and placenta of diabetic pregnant women.

Materials and methods: The women were divided according to glycemic status into a non-diabetic (ND; N?=?20) or type 2 diabetic (T2DM; N?=?20) group. Cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry.

Results: Compared to ND, T2DM blood cells exhibited a higher expression of CD25⁺, Foxp3⁺, CD4⁺CD25⁺, CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ and CD25⁺Foxp3⁺; and cord blood cells showed a lower expression of CD25⁺, CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ and CD25⁺Foxp3⁺. In the placenta of T2DM, the villous layer of the proportion, CD3⁺ and CD25 was lower than that of CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ and CD25⁺Foxp3⁺, and the extravillous placenta layer contained the lowest levels of CD4⁺ and CD25⁺ and highest proportions of CD4⁺Foxp3⁺. In maternal blood from T2DM, the frequency of CD3⁺CD95⁺ and CD3CD4⁺ T cells expressing CD95⁺ was lower. In cord blood from T2DM, the rate of CD3⁺CD95⁺ was lower. The placenta villous layer of T2DM showed a lower count of CD3⁺CD95⁺ and of CD3CD4⁺ T cells expressing CD95⁺, whereas the number of cells expressing CD3⁺CD45RO⁺ decreased in both placental layers.

Conclusion: The data obtained suggest that hyperglycemia changes the phenotypes of regulatory T cells and Fas expression in memory T cells.     

妊娠期糖尿病孕妇血清及皮下脂肪组织中视黄醇结合蛋白4的表达及其与胰岛素抵抗的关系

目的 探讨妊娠期糖尿病孕妇血清及皮下脂肪组织中视黄醇结合蛋白4(RBP-4)的表达变化及其与胰岛素抵抗的关系.方法 选择2008年5月至2009年4月在青岛大学医学院附属医院产科行选择性剖宫产术的妊娠期糖尿病孕妇32例为妊娠期糖尿病组,同期行选择性剖宫产术的糖耐量正常孕妇30例为对照组.采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测两组孕妇血清中RBP-4水平,放射免疫法榆测两组孕妇空腹胰岛素(FINS)水平,匍萄糖氧化酶法检测两组孕妇空腹血糖(FPG)水平,并计算稳态模型的胰岛索抵抗指数(HOMA-IR).采用半定量RT-PCR技术及蛋白印迹法检测两组孕妇皮下脂肪组织中RBP-4 mRNA和蛋白表达水平,并对妊娠期糖尿病组孕妇皮下脂肪组织中RBP-4mRNA和蛋白表达水平与血清中RBP-4水平及HOMA-IR行相关性分析.结果 (1)妊娠期糖尿病组孕妇血清中RBP-4、FINS、FPG水平及HOMA-IR分别为(27.0±1.2)mg/l、(12.1±1.4)mU/L、(5.3±019)mmol/L及2.5±0.2,对照组分别为(19.4 ±1.8)mg/L、(8.3±0.8)mU/L、(4.1±0.6)mmol/L及1.5±0.1,妊娠期糖尿病组孕妇以上4项指标均显著高于对照组(P均<0.05).(2)妊娠期糖尿病组孕妇皮下脂肪组织中RBP-4 mRNA和蛋白表达水平分别为0.76 ±0.12和0.74 ±0.09,显著高于对照组的0.53±0.06和0.54±0.06,两组分别比较,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05).(3)妊娠期糖尿病组孕妇皮下脂肪组织中RBP-4 mRNA和蛋白表达水平与HOMA-IR均呈明显正相关关系(r=0.575、0.851,P均<0.05);血清巾RBP-4水平与HOMA-IR呈明显正相关关系(r=0.635,P<0.05);皮下脂肪组织中RBP-4 mRNA和蛋白表达水平与血清中RBP-4水平无明显相关性(P>0.05).结论 妊娠期糖尿病孕妇出现的皮下脂肪组织中RBP-4 mRNA高表达及血清中RBP-4高水平的变化,可能是妊娠期糖尿病孕妇发生胰岛素抵抗的机制之一.     

Low gestational weight gain improves infant and maternal pregnancy outcomes in overweight and obese Korean women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective.?The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess what was the optimal gestational weight gain to have better maternal and neonatal outcomes in overweight and obese Korean women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who maintained normoglycemia throughout pregnancy by dietary modification, exercise, and/or insulin treatment.

Study design.?We performed a hospital-based study of 215 GDM women with prepregnancy BMI?≥?25 kg/m². Body weight, glucose homeostasis, lipid profiles, insulin treatment, and maternal outcomes were collected as predictors of neonatal birth weight. We divided the subjects into three groups according to modified Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy: inadequate (n?=?42), normal (n?=?96), and excessive (n?=?77) groups.

Results.?Excessive weight gain resulted in increased macrosomia, HbA_1c at delivery, and postprandial blood glucose levels, but fasting blood glucose levels were not significantly different among the groups. The inadequate weight gain group (2.4?kg weight gain during pregnancy) had better neonatal outcomes and better maternal glycemic control with fewer requiring insulin treatment.

Conclusion.?Minimal weight gain, well below IOM recommendations, and tight control of blood glucose levels during pregnancy with proper medical management and dietary modification may eliminate most of the adverse pregnancy outcomes experienced by obese GDM Asian women.     

Protective effect of vitamin D supplementation in a rat modal of preeclampsia: a possible implication of chemerin

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a disorder of pregnancy associated with vitamin D (VD) deficiency. Chemerin is an adipokine significantly increased in preeclampsia and is regulated by VD.

Objectives: To determine whether VD supplementation would protect against development of PE through Chemerin reduction

Methods: PE was induced in albino rats by injection of 12.5 mg of deoxycorticosterone (DOCA). Rats were randomly divided into normal pregnant, PE group, VD supplemented PE group.

Results: VD supplementation decreased systolic blood pressure, proteinuria and decreased serum Chemerin level.

Conclusion: VD treatment reduced Chemerin level, and blood pressure in DOCA rat model of PE.     

应用胰岛素泵短期强化治疗妊娠期糖尿病疗效分析

目的研究连续皮下胰岛素输注(CSII,简称胰岛素泵)短期强化治疗妊娠期糖尿病的临床效果。方法选择2003年1月至2006年12月上海市第一人民医院产科治疗的58例妊娠期糖尿病患者,分为CSII组及胰岛素多次皮下注射组(MSII组),并根据血糖检测结果调整胰岛素用量,比较两组血糖控制达标时间、日均胰岛素用量,以及母儿并发症的发生情况。结果两组血糖控制水平相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。但CSII组血糖控制达标时间[(3.14±1.04)d]较MSII组[(7.79±2.14)d]缩短约4.65d,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。CSII组日均胰岛素用量[(29.08±10.99)U]较MSII组[(43.51±9.81)U]亦明显减少(P<0.01)。两组母儿并发症如妊娠期高血压疾病、早产以及孕妇低血糖的发生率比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论胰岛素泵短期强化治疗妊娠期糖尿病具有快速稳定的控制高血糖的作用,并可减少低血糖的发生,其临床应用效果优于传统的胰岛素多次皮下注射方式。     

妊娠期脂肪组织Omentin mRNA表达与胰岛素抵抗的相关性

目的:探讨妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)患者腹部皮下和网膜脂肪组织中Omentin基因表达的差异及其与胰岛素抵抗的相关性。方法:将43例经75g口服葡萄糖耐量试验按WHO标准诊断出的GDM孕妇与43例糖耐量正常(NGT)孕妇进行年龄、产次、分娩前体重指数(BMI)、分娩孕周配对后,测量两组产前空腹血糖和胰岛素水平,并于剖宫产术中留取研究对象腹部皮下和网膜脂肪组织,采用实时定量-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测不同部位脂肪组织的Omentin mRNA表达水平,分析Omentin mRNA表达水平与产前胰岛素抵抗的相关性。结果:(1)GDM组皮下及网膜脂肪组织的Omentin mRNA表达水平均显著低于NGT组对应部位的表达水平。(2)单因素分析中,HOMA-IR与孕前和分娩前BMI、以及皮下和网膜脂肪组织的Omentin mRNA表达水平均有显著相关性;但进一步多元逐步回归分析显示,只有孕前BMI和网膜脂肪组织的Omentin mRNA表达量是HOMA-IR的独立预测因子。结论:GDM患者网膜脂肪组织Omentin mRNA表达水平降低可能参与了妊娠期晚期IR的发生。     

Mitochondrial content and hepcidin are increased in obese pregnant mothers

Objective: Maternal obesity is characterized by systemic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress (OxS) with the contribution of fetal sex dimorphism. We recently described increased mitochondrial content (mtDNA) in placentas of obese pregnancies. Here, we quantify mtDNA and hepcidin as indexes of OxS and systemic inflammation in the obese maternal circulation.

Methods: Forty-one pregnant women were enrolled at elective cesarean section: 16 were normal weight (NW) and 25 were obese (OB). Obese women were further classified according to the presence/absence of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); [OB/GDM(–)]: n?=?15, [OB/GDM(+)]: n?=?10. mtDNA and hepcidin were evaluated in blood (real-time PCR) and plasma (ELISA).

Results: mtDNA and hepcidin levels were significantly increased in OB/GDM(–) versus NW, significantly correlating with pregestational BMI. Male/female (M/F) ratio was equal in study groups, and overall F-carrying pregnancies showed significantly higher mtDNA and hepcidin levels than M-carrying pregnancies both in obese and normal weight mothers.

Conclusions: Our results indicate a potential compensatory mechanism to increased obesity-related OxS and inflammation, indicated by the higher hepcidin levels found in obese mothers. Increased placental mitochondrial biogenesis, due to lipotoxic environment, may account for the greater mtDNA amount released in maternal circulation. This increase is namely related to F-carrying pregnancies, suggesting a gender-specific placental response.     

妊娠合并自身免疫性1型糖尿病对母胎的影响及诊治

妊娠合并自身免疫性1型糖尿病是孕期常见的合并症之一,可导致母儿并发症增加。文章介绍了妊娠合并自身免疫性1型糖尿病的筛查和诊断标准,提出做好充足的孕前准备,加强孕期监护,应用饮食控制以及胰岛素注射使血糖降至理想状态可降低母儿并发症,改善妊娠结局。     

Gestational weight gain in overweight and obese women enrolled in a healthy lifestyle and eating habits program

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether changes in lifestyle in women with BMI?>?25 could decrease gestational weight gain and unfavorable pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: Women with BMI?>?25 were randomized at 1st trimester to no intervention or a Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Program including diet (overweight: 1700?kcal/day, obese: 1800?kcal/day) and mild physical activity (30?min/day, 3 times/week). At baseline and at the 36th week women filled-in a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Outcomes: gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, preterm delivery. Data stratified by BMI categories.

Results: Socio-demographic features were similar between groups (TLC: 33 cases, Controls: 28 cases). At term, gestational weight gain in obese women randomized to TLC group was lower (6.7?±?4.3?kg) versus controls (10.1?±?5.6?kg, p?=?0.047). Gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension and preterm delivery were also significantly lower. TLC was an independent factor in preventing gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension. Significant changes in eating habits occurred in the TLC group, which increased the number of snacks, the intake of fruits–vegetables and decreased the consumption of sugar.

Conclusions: A caloric restriction associated to changes in eating behavior and constant physical activity, is able to reduce gestational weight gain and related pregnancy complications in obese women.     

Abnormal spiral arteries modification in stillbirths: the role of maternal prepregnancy body mass index

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of abnormal spiral arteries modification (ASAM) in stillbirths and its anatomo-clinical correlations. Methods: Two-hundred and three placentas of stillbirth ≥20 weeks of gestation were analyzed. Results: ASAM was present in 69/203 cases (33.9%). The only maternal characteristic that significantly differed in ASAM versus normal spiral arteries modification (NSAM) cases was the prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) (25.9?±?6.1 and 23.1?±?4.2?kg/m², respectively) with 15.9% of obesity in ASAM mothers versus 5.2% in NSAM (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Given the association between obesity and adverse pregnancy outcome, our data suggest that counselling obese women to lose weight before pregnancy becomes increasingly imperative.     

The usefulness of plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels and tissue doppler echocardiography for heart function in term infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentrations are associated with ventricular function in the infants of mothers with gestational diabetes.

Method: Twenty-five term newborns of mothers with gestational diabetes and term newborns as the control group (n?=?25) with normal general health status were evaluated at two time points, on the 3rd postnatal day, at the 3th months. Echocardiographic evaluations of all participants were performed and ADMA level was measured.

Results: In the first analysis, 10 patients (40%) had a septal thickness of 6?mm or more, indicating septal hypertrophy. In the first and second analysis, interventricular septum end-diastolic thickness (IVSTd) and the left ventricular posterior wall end-diastolic thickness (LVPWTd) in the patient group were higher than the control group. ADMA level measurement was not significantly different between the groups the first and second analysis. There was no difference in ADMA levels of the group with septal thickness ≥6?mm and the group with <6?mm.

Conclusion: Newborn cardiac wall thickness was increased in pregnancies complicated by Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and the increase was independent of glycemic control. Diastolic newborn cardiac function was impaired in GDM, and this effect was independent of septal thickness. We found no association between ADMA levels and cardiac systolic, diastolic functions or septum thickness in the GDM newborn.