Changes in VEGF-related factors are associated with presence of inflammatory factors in carbohydrate metabolism disorders during pregnancy.

Masahiko Sugimoto,Mineo Kondo,Ali Mariya,Bela Anand-Apte,Alecia Cutler,Tomoaki Ikeda,Yuki Kamimoto,Frank T Spradley

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0220650

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the action of molecules in carbohydrate metabolism disorders during pregnancy. The concentration of different types of cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the plasma were measured in 4 groups of women: Group I, normal pregnancy (n = 10); Group II, patients with gestational DM (n = 12); Group III, pregnant patients with preexisting DM (n = 16); and Group IV, diabetic non-pregnant women (n = 22). The plasma VEGF concentration was significantly higher in the women in Group IV than in other groups (P <0.01). The concentration of the soluble form of the VEGF receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) was significantly higher in Group I than in other groups (P <0.01). The concentration of soluble form of the VEGF receptor-2 (sVEGFR-2) was significantly lower in Groups I than in other groups (P <0.05). The concentrations of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and eotaxin were significantly lower in Group I than in Groups III and IV. The levels of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly higher in Group I than in Group IV. Both the VEGF-related molecules and the Inflammatory cytokines are altered in pregnant women with the carbohydrate metabolism disorders.

Highlights

The systemic disorders that develop during pregnancy are strongly associated with changes of the micro circulation
Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are known to develop complications during pregnancy [1], and this clinical state is called “carbohydrate metabolism disorders during pregnancy (CMDP)”. The complications occur both in patients with preexisting diabetes mellitus and with “hyperglycemic disorder in pregnancy” including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
The results showed that the pattern of expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-related molecules and the inflammatory cytokines were different for CMDP patients compared with regular DM or pregnant patients

Summary

Introduction

The systemic disorders that develop during pregnancy are strongly associated with changes of the micro circulation. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are known to develop complications during pregnancy [1], and this clinical state is called “carbohydrate metabolism disorders during pregnancy (CMDP)”. The complications occur both in patients with preexisting diabetes mellitus (pDM) and with “hyperglycemic disorder in pregnancy” including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Various molecules behaviors in CMDP recognition of pregnancy [2] in contrast to pDM. The diabetes-associated complications include congenital abnormalities of the newborn, fetal macrosomia, and systemic disorders that are detected during the neonatal stage. Strict blood sugar control is recommended to prevent these complications [3]

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