Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic complication in pregnancy, which affects the future health of both the mother and the newborn. Its pathophysiology involves nutritional, hormonal, immunological, genetic and epigenetic factors. Among the latter, it has been observed that alterations in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) methylation patterns and in the levels of certain micro RNAs, whether in placenta or adipose tissue, are related to well-known characteristics of the disease, such as hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, inflammation and excessive placental growth. Furthermore, epigenetic alterations of gestational diabetes mellitus are observable in maternal blood, although their pathophysiological roles are completely unknown. Despite this, it has not been possible to determine the causes of the epigenetic characteristics of GDM, highlighting the need for integral and longitudinal studies. Based on this, this article summarizes the most relevant and recent studies on epigenetic alterations in placenta, adipose tissue and maternal blood associated with GDM in order to provide the reader with a general overview of the subject and indicate future research topics.
Highlights
It was observed that the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) were significantly higher only in visceral adipose tissue from women with Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared to controls
Based on the integration of Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Genomes database pathway analysis of expression and methylation profiles, the authors found that the antigen processing and presentation pathway and immune-related genes were closely associated with GDM in visceral adipose tissue
Others have found alterations in micro RNAs (miRNAs) involved in inflammation, insulin resistance and metabolism
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. GDM is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance first identified during pregnancy [1] The prevalence of this disorder varies globally, depending on the diagnostic criteria applied and on the ethnic group studied. GDM is associated with short-term and long-term adverse consequences in the mother and in the offspring In the mother, it increases the risk of cesarean section and favors the development of gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia. It has been estimated that women with GDM have a more than sevenfold increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to normoglycemic pregnancies. In addition to lifestyle factors, genetic heritability is implicated in the etiology of GDM, and emerging data indicate contributions of environmental and dietary factors to the risk of developing GDM, through epigenetic changes. The objectives of this review are to present an organized and updated summary of epigenetic alterations related to pathogenesis of GDM and indicate future topics for research
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