Role of ferritin and oxidative stress index in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

To investigate the role of serum ferritin and oxidative stress in the development of GDM and to assess their relationship with the ensuing hyperglycemia. A case-control study was carried on 90 non-anemic pregnant women of 20-40years with a gestation of 24-28weeks. Study group (n = 65) was identified according to the Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group India (DIPSI) criteria (2-h plasma glucose ≥ 140mg/dl) and controls (n = 25) having 2-h plasma glucose < 120mg/dl. DIPSI 2-h plasma glucose, HbA1c and serum ferritin were measured and oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Statistical tests were performed using SPSS version 25.0. Pre-pregnancy BMI showed a significant difference between control and study group. DIPSI 2h blood glucose, HbA1c, serum ferritin and OSI were significantly higher in study group compared to control group. Both 2h blood glucose and HbA1c were positively correlated with serum ferritin and OSI, serum ferritin and OSI were also positively correlated with each other. Higher pre-pregnancy BMI elevates serum ferritin, which in turn increases the OSI. Both ferritin and oxidative stress raises 2h blood glucose and HbA1c in GDM patients possibly by causing in-vivo pancreatic β -cell injury and death (ferroptosis). Serum ferritin and OSI could become newer personalized theranostic and monitoring targets in overweight/obese pregnant females especially GDM patients.