Abstract
BackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has significant implications for the future health of the mother. Some clinical studies have suggested subclinical inflammation and vascular dysfunction after GDM. We aimed to study whether concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and -9, as well as values of arterial stiffness differ between women with and without a history of GDM a few years after delivery. We also investigated possible effects of obesity on the results.MethodsWe studied two cohorts—120 women with a history of GDM and 120 controls—on average 3.7 years after delivery. Serum concentrations of hsCRP were determined by immunonephelometric and immunoturbidimetric methods, MMP-8 by immunofluorometric assay, and MMP-9 and TIMP-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was determined using the foot-to-foot velocity method from carotid and femoral waveforms by using a SphygmoCor device. Arterial compliance was measured non-invasively by an HDI/PulseWave™CR-2000 arterial tonometer. All 240 women were also included in subgroup analyses to study the effect of obesity on the results. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed with adjustment for confounding factors.ResultsPWV after pregnancy complicated by GDM was significantly higher than after normal pregnancy, 6.44 ± 0.83 (SD) vs. 6.17 ± 0.74 m/s (p = 0.009). Previous GDM was also one of the significant determinants of PWV in multiple linear regression analyses. On the other hand, compliance indices of both large (p = 0.092) and small (p = 0.681) arteries did not differ between the study cohorts. Serum TIMP-1 levels were significantly increased after previous GDM (p = 0.020). However, no differences were found in the serum levels of MMP-8, MMP-9 or hsCRP. In subgroup analyses, there were significantly higher concentrations of hsCRP (p = 0.015) and higher PWV (p < 0.001) among obese women compared with non-obese ones.ConclusionsPWV values were significantly higher after GDM compared with normoglycemic pregnancies and were associated with prolonged TIMP-1 upregulation. Cardiovascular risk factors were more common in participants with high BMI than in those with previous GDM.
Highlights
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has significant implications for the future health of the mother
Subclinical inflammation Serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 levels were significantly increased after previous GDM (Table 2)
When studied 3.7 years after delivery, Pulse wave velocity (PWV) values were higher in women with previous GDM, indicating that their arteries are less distensible than those in women with previous normoglycemic pregnancy
Summary
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has significant implications for the future health of the mother. Some clinical studies have suggested subclinical inflammation and vascular dysfunction after GDM. The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has increased rapidly in recent decades, along with increasing rates of obesity [1, 2]. A diagnosis of GDM has significant implications for the future health of the mother. GDM has been shown to be associated with postpartum insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia [3,4,5], placing affected women at risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and/or cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life [5,6,7,8]. Clinical studies have revealed subclinical inflammation and vascular dysfunction after GDM [4]
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