Altered Adipose Tissue Inflammatory Markers in Mothers With Gestational Diabetes

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONAdipose tissue (AT) releases adipokines and inflammatory cytokines which may have an impact on the fetus during pregnancy. Mothers with gestational diabetes (GDM) have children who have an increased risk of developing obesity and diabetes compared to children born to normal glucose tolerant (NGT) mothers, but the mechanisms are not known. AT dysfunction in mothers with GDM may play a mechanistic role in the relationship.HYPOTHESISMothers with GDM will have impaired AT mitochondrial function and increased markers of inflammation.METHODSAT tissue samples were collected from 22 NGT and 6 GDM pregnant women undergoing a C‐section. Subcutaneous (SQ) and visceral AT (VAT) samples, mother's blood, and fetal cord blood were collected. AT samples were assessed for protein expression (via Western blot) of EGF‐like module‐containing mucin‐like hormone receptor‐like 1; estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ); adiponectin; mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (Ox‐phos) C1‐5; nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells; adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and a panel of inflammatory, mitochondrial, and metabolic genes via quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. Mother’s blood and cord blood were assessed for presence of adiponectin, brain derived neurotrophic factor, C‐reactive protein. and non‐esterified fatty acids via enzyme‐linked immunoassay.RESULTSIn GDM compared to NGT mothers, VAT had significantly lower protein expression levels of Ox‐phos C2 and adiponectin (p=0.009 and 0.008 respectively) and trended towards significance for ATGL and Ox‐phos C3 (p=0.05 and 0.06 respectively). Gene expression of adiponectin and ERβ also tended to be lower in GDM mothers (p=0.05 and 0.06 respectively). In SQAT, higher gene expression of mannose receptor C‐type 1 (anti‐inflammatory macrophage marker) in the GDM mothers was found (p=0.037). No differences in the measured blood markers were found.CONCLUSIONData support that mothers with GDM differentially express AT adipokines and genes associated with inflammation, insulin resistance and altered lipid metabolism than mothers with NGT.