Abstract
ObjectiveInflammation-related factors have been shown to play a significant role throughout pregnancy. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationships between selected inflammatory cytokines and gestational diabetes (GDM) in Chinese pregnant women.Design and methodsThis was a 1:1 matched case–control study that included 200 pairs of subjects in the second trimester and 130 pairs of subjects in the third trimester. Serum levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), leptin, Interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The associations of these inflammatory factors with metabolic parameters were analysed.ResultsIn the second trimester, GDM patients had higher NGF levels and lower IL-8 levels than did normal controls (P < 0.001 and P = 0.015, respectively). However, in the third trimester, only lower leptin levels were observed in the GDM group (P = 0.031). Additionally, in the second trimester, NGF levels were not only positively associated with fasting, 1-h and 2-h glucose levels and the area under curve of glucose, but also positively related to insulin sensitivity and secretion, as suggested by fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and homeostasis model assessment index of β-cell secretion (HOMA-β) (all P < 0.05). Moreover, IL-6 and leptin levels were positively correlated with HOMA-IR and HOMA-β, and TNF-α levels were positively related to HOMA-IR (all P < 0.05). Except for the relationships between NGF and HOMA-β and TNF-α and HOMA-IR, the other correlations still existed even after adjusting for confounding factors (all P < 0.05).ConclusionIn addition to the positive associations of IL-6 and leptin with insulin resistance and secretion, NGF was higher in the GDM patients and strongly linked to glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and pancreatic β cell function in Chinese pregnant women in the second trimester.
Highlights
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pathological state in which pancreatic β cells cannot release adequate insulin to meet the increased insulin demand [1]
IL-6 and leptin levels were positively correlated with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and homeostasis model assessment index of β-cell secretion (HOMA-β), and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were positively related to HOMA-IR
In this study, through systematic analyses of selected inflammatory cytokines and GDM in both the second and third trimesters, we aimed to explore the differences in serum levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), IL-6, leptin, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) between GDM patients and normal controls, and to analyse the exact correlations of these cytokines with glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and pancreatic β cell function
Summary
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pathological state in which pancreatic β cells cannot release adequate insulin to meet the increased insulin demand [1]. Chronic insulin resistance, an indirect cause of impaired pancreatic β cell function, is thought to be the major pathological feature of GDM [4,5,6]. In obese patients with T2DM, which feature with macrophage accumulation and chronic inflammation, insulin resistance can be found in many tissues, including adipose tissue, the liver and skeletal muscle [8, 9]. Scientists have revealed that one of the central pathogenic mechanisms of insulin resistance is the modulation of inflammation-related factors, which affects the gene expression regulation and metabolism of some lipid-related factors involved in the insulin signalling pathway [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
