Plasma Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Eliška Ivanovová,David Friedecký,Jaroslava Friedecká,Ondřej Krystyník,David Karásek,Barbora Piskláková

doi:10.3390/separations8100188

Eliška Ivanovová, David Friedecký + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/separations8100188

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Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) represents a heterogeneous group of hyperglycemic metabolic disorders that are associated with health outcomes for mothers and offspring. Currently, diagnosis of GDM is based on repetitive measurement of increased fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or upon results showing increased postprandial plasma glucose (PPG). Recently, it was discovered that the changes in the gut microbiome during pregnancy are associated with insulin resistance and obesity. Therefore, in this study, relevant products of gut bacteria, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and their derivatives were evaluated together with baseline body composition characteristics and common biochemical parameters in women with three different phenotypes of GDM, healthy pregnant and nonpregnant women. Plasma SCFA and their derivatives were derivatized, separated on reversed-phase liquid chromatography and detected by a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OH-BA), 4-methylvalerate (4-MVA) and isovalerate (IVA), together with selected parameters associated with baseline body composition characteristics and biochemistry, were evaluated as statistically significant. 3-OH-BA, which was increased in all three groups of women with different phenotypes of GDM, reflects a ketogenic state of GDM. In all groups of pregnant women, elevated/suppressed concentrations of 4-MVA/IVA were found. These findings show the importance of monitoring SCFA and other parameters besides glucose in women with GDM.

Highlights

Worldwide, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects 2–38% of pregnant women [1]
The short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) profile of the GDM patients in our study showed the changes described above; one would expect that the change would perhaps be reflected in the 2-methylbutyric acid (2-MBA) levels
Our results showed different plasma levels of 3-OH-BA, 4-MVA and IVA in women with GDM, healthy pregnant women and non-pregnant women. 3-OH-BA reflected the ketogenic state of GDM, where a gradual increase in its concentration was observed within the different phenotypes of GDM

Summary

Introduction

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects 2–38% of pregnant women [1]. It is associated with significant short- and long-term adverse health outcomes for mothers and children. GDM diagnosed due to higher FPG (especially in early pregnancy) seems to put women into a higher risk of metabolic and gestational complications Those women are usually older, with familial and/or personal history of GDM, more often suffer from obesity, exhibit decreased insulin sensitivity in addition to β-cell dysfunction, and have increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus type 2 in later life [3]. They are at greater risk of having large-for-gestational-age babies and their delivery more often ends with a caesarean section [4]

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