Insulin therapy and its consequences for the mother, foetus, and newborn in gestational diabetes mellitus

Pregnancy Outcomes and Maternal Characteristics in Women with Pregestational and Gestational Diabetes: A Population-Based Study in Spain, 2016-2022

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare trends in the incidence of deliveries and in obstetric interventions and outcomes in women with and without type 1 diabetes (T1DM), type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and gestational diabetes (GDM). Methods: This was an observational study using the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database (2016-2022). Results: A total of 1,995,953 deliveries were recorded between 2016 and 2022 (6495 mothers with T1DM, 5449 with T2DM, and 124,172 with GDM). The incidence of T1DM and GDM increased over time, although it remained stable in women with T2DM. Women with T2DM were more likely to have obstetric comorbid conditions (72.93%) than women with GDM (63.04%), women with T1DM (59.62%), and women who did not have diabetes (45.3%). Pre-eclampsia, previous cesarean delivery, and arterial hypertension were the most prevalent conditions in all types of diabetes. The highest frequency of cesarean delivery was recorded for women with T1DM (55.04%), followed by women with T2DM (44.94%), and those with GDM (28.13%). The probability of cesarean delivery was 2.38, 1.79, and 1.19 times greater for T1DM, T2DM, and GDM, respectively, than for women who did not have diabetes. The adjusted rate for severe maternal morbidity was significantly higher for women with T1DM (RR 2.31; 95%CI 2.02-2.63) and T2DM (RR 1.58; 95%CI 1.34-1.87) than for women without diabetes. Conclusions: The incidence of deliveries in women with T2DM remained unchanged between 2016 and 2022; the incidence of deliveries increased in women with T1DM and GDM. The prevalence of comorbidity and obstetric factors increased over time in women with T1DM and GDM.

The Interplay of Uterine Health and Obesity: A Comprehensive Review

Uterine physiology encompasses the intricate processes governing the structure, function, and regulation of the uterus, a pivotal organ within the female reproductive system. The escalating prevalence of obesity has emerged as a significant global health issue, profoundly impacting various facets of well-being, including female reproductive health. These effects extend to uterine structure and function, influencing reproductive health outcomes in women. They encompass alterations in uterine morphology, disruptions in hormonal signaling, and inflammatory processes. Insulin and leptin, pivotal hormones regulating metabolism, energy balance, and reproductive function, play crucial roles in this context. Insulin chiefly governs glucose metabolism and storage, while leptin regulates appetite and energy expenditure. However, in obesity, resistance to both insulin and leptin can develop, impacting uterine function. Inflammation and oxidative stress further exacerbate the development of uterine dysfunction in obesity. Chronic low-grade inflammation and heightened oxidative stress, characteristic of obesity, contribute to metabolic disruptions and tissue damage, including within the uterus. Obesity significantly disrupts menstrual cycles, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes in women. The accumulation of excess adipose tissue disrupts hormonal equilibrium, disturbs ovarian function, and fosters metabolic irregularities, all of which detrimentally impact reproductive health.

Gestational diabetes mellitus - Neonatal and maternal outcomes in women treated with insulin or diet: A propensity matched analysis

AIMS

Pregnant women worldwide face the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), if left untreated, can cause complications. The study explores factors influencing the choice between diet control and insulin therapy for pregnant women with GDM. It aims to understand how these choices impact maternal and neonatal outcomes.

METHODS

In this quasi-experimental study, clinicians determined treatment (diet control or insulin) for 1030 individuals with GDM at a private practice from 2010 to 2020 based on baseline characteristics. Propensity scores (PS), reflecting the probability of treatment allocation, were derived through multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

After PS matching, 386 individuals were paired from two study groups. The insulin-treated group exhibited a 4.43 times higher risk of neonatal hypoglycemia than the diet group. Insulin-treated individuals, stratified by PS, revealed that the high-risk quartile had significantly higher mean insulin requirements and a doubled dose at full term compared to the lower-risk quartiles. The mean insulin dose did not significantly differ in the first three quartiles, but the last quartile showed a significant increase (p = 0.008), particularly for individuals with PS exceeding 0.70, indicating a higher insulin dose requirement for effective glucose control.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals that individuals with a bad obstetrics history, a family history of diabetes, obesity, and elevated baseline glycemic parameters necessitate higher insulin doses. This insight improves clinicians' decision-making in diagnosis and treatment planning, enhancing the precision of medical practices.

Trends in research related to fetal therapy from 2012 to 2022: a bibliometric analysis

Background

The development of prenatal diagnosis technology allows prompt detection of severe fetal diseases. To address adverse factors that threaten fetal survival, fetal therapy came into existence, which aims to preserve the function after birth to a higher degree and improve the quality of life.

Objective

To conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of studies on fetal therapy in the past decade and explore the research trends and hotspots in this field.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search on the Web of Science Core Collection to retrieve studies related to fetal therapy published from 2012 to 2022. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used to analyze the key features of studies, including annual output, countries/regions, institutions, authors, references, research hotspots, and frontiers.

Results

A total of 9,715 articles were included after eliminating duplicates. The annual distribution of the number of articles showed that the number of articles published in fetal therapy had increased in the past decade. Countries and institutions showed that fetal therapy is more mature in the United States. Author analysis showed the core investigators in the field. Keyword analysis showed the clustering and emergence frequency, which helped summarize the research results and frontier hotspots in this field. The cocited references were sorted out to determine the literature with a high ranking of fetal therapy in recent years, and the research trend in recent years was analyzed.

Conclusions

This study reveals that countries, institutions, and researchers should promote wider cooperation and establish multicenter research cooperation in fetal therapy research. Moreover, fetal therapy has been gradually explored from traditional surgical treatment to gene therapy and stem cell therapy. In recent years, fetoscopic laser surgery, guideline, and magnetic resonance imaging have become the research hotspots in the field.

Association Between Gut Microbiota and Insulin Therapy in Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVES

At the time of diagnosis, the blood glucose of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who require subsequent insulin treatment does not differ from that of women with adequate diet control. Hence, in this study, we aimed to determine the role of maternal gut microbiota as a marker of insulin necessity in GDM and to identify the effect of insulin therapy on gut microbiota composition in mothers with GDM and their newborns.

METHODS

Seventy-one pregnant women were enrolled into the study, including 38 GDM and 33 non-GDM participants. During the follow-up period, 8 of the 38 GDM subjects required insulin therapy (GDM-I group), whereas 30 of the 38 GDM cases with sufficient glycemic control by diet alone (GDM-D group). Maternal blood and feces were obtained at the time of GDM diagnosis (pretreatment; 24 to 28 weeks of gestation) and before delivery (posttreatment; ≥37 weeks of gestation). Meconium and first feces of the newborns were also collected.

RESULTS

Pretreatment, the glycemic profile did not differ between the GDM-D and GDM-I groups. However, the proportions of Clostridiales, Lactobacillus and Bacteroidetes were higher in the GDM-I group than in the non-GDM and GDM-D groups. After treatment, gut microbiota composition showed no difference between non-GDM and GDM-I groups. Interestingly, a higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio was displayed in GDM-D mothers at posttreatment, and this was also observed in both meconium and first feces of GDM-D newborns.

CONCLUSION

Insulin therapy changed maternal gut microbiota composition, which could be transferable to the mothers' newborns.

Exercise-Diet Therapy Combined with Insulin Aspart Injection for the Treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Study on Clinical Effect and Its Impact

Objective

To explore the clinical effect and impact of exercise-diet therapy combined with Insulin Aspart Injection on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods

The objects of study were patients with pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) and 62 patients with GDM who were diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin release test from February 2017 to February 2019. According to the severity of the disease, enrolled patients were informed to have appropriate exercise and diet control or Insulin Aspart Injection on this basis until the completion of delivery. By using 50 pregnant women with normal glucose as the control, the fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 1-hour postprandial glucose (1hPG), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG), nocturnal glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were compared between the PGDM group and the GDM group before and after treatment; besides, further comparison was made in terms of glucose compliance rate, islet B-cell secretory function, and insulin resistance after treatment. The pregnant women were examined by B-ultrasound at 24 and 26 weeks of gestation to check if the fetus had abnormalities in the central nervous system and the heart. Further B-ultrasound examination was performed at 32 and 37 weeks of gestation to check the problems such as polyhydramnios and stillbirth. In addition, a comparative analysis was carried out in terms of the adverse pregnancy outcomes and complications, associated with the comparison of the results after treatment with control group.

Results

After treatment, the levels of FPG, 1hPG, 2hPG, nocturnal glucose, and HbA1c were decreased in the PGDM group and GDM group than those before treatment, especially in the GDM group, with significant difference still when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Statistical analysis revealed that the blood glucose compliance rate in the GDM group was higher than that in the PGDM group, showing a better therapeutic effect. Fasting insulin (FINS) and homeostasis model assessment index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the GDM group were significantly higher than those in control group, but lower than those in the PGDM group (P < 0.01), while the level of HOMA-β was lower in the GDM group than that in the control group and higher than that in PGDM (P < 0.01). Further ultrasound examination revealed the presence of fetal cardiac abnormality, polyhydramnios, stillbirth, and problems, showing a higher incidence in the PGDM group but almost nonexistence in the control group. In addition, the incidence of hypertension, macrosomia, premature rupture of membranes, postpartum hemorrhage, and infection were obviously higher in the PGDM group than those in the GDM group and control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Exercise-diet therapy combined with Insulin Aspart Injection can effectively control the blood glucose level of pregnant patients with GDM, improve the pregnancy outcome to a certain extent, and ensure the health of pregnant women and fetus, which is worthy of clinical application.

Glycaemia dynamics in gestational diabetes mellitus

Pregnant women may develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a disease of pregnancy characterised by maternal and fetal hyperglycaemia with hazardous consequences to the mother, the fetus, and the newborn. Maternal hyperglycaemia in GDM results in fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction. GDM-harmful effects result from chronic and short periods of hyperglycaemia. Thus, it is determinant to keep glycaemia within physiological ranges avoiding short but repetitive periods of hyper or hypoglycaemia. The variation of glycaemia over time is defined as 'glycaemia dynamics'. The latter concept regards with a variety of mechanisms and environmental conditions leading to blood glucose handling. In this review we summarized the different metrics for glycaemia dynamics derived from quantitative, plane distribution, amplitude, score values, variability estimation, and time series analysis. The potential application of the derived metrics from self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in the potential alterations of pregnancy outcome in GDM are discussed.

The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c relieves hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in gestational diabetes mellitus

The most common complication during pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes and result in the mother and infant having a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. However, existing therapies for GDM remain scant, with the most common being lifestyle intervention and appropriate insulin treatment. MOTS-c, a mitochondrial-derived peptide, can target skeletal muscle and enhance glucose metabolism. Here, we demonstrate that MOTS-c can be an effective treatment for GDM. A GDM mouse model was established by short term high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) treatment while MOTS-c was administrated daily during pregnancy. GDM symptoms such as blood glucose and insulin levels, glucose and insulin tolerance, as well as reproductive outcomes were investigated. MOTS-c significantly alleviated hyperglycemia, improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, and reduced birth weight and the death of offspring induced by GDM. Similar to a previous study, MOTS-c also could activate insulin sensitivity in the skeletal muscle of GDM mice and elevate glucose uptake in vitro. In addition, we found that MOTS-c protects pancreatic β-cell from STZ-mediated injury. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that MOTS-c could be a promising strategy for the treatment of GDM.

Increased Fetal Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Potential Synergy Between Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Maternal Hypercholesterolemia

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain a major cause of death worldwide. Evidence suggests that the risk for CVD can increase at the fetal stages due to maternal metabolic diseases, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and maternal supraphysiological hypercholesterolemia (MSPH). GDM is a hyperglycemic, inflammatory, and insulin-resistant state that increases plasma levels of free fatty acids and triglycerides, impairs endothelial vascular tone regulation, and due to the increased nutrient transport, exposes the fetus to the altered metabolic conditions of the mother. MSPH involves increased levels of cholesterol (mainly as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) which also causes endothelial dysfunction and alters nutrient transport to the fetus. Despite that an association has already been established between MSPH and increased CVD risk, however, little is known about the cellular processes underlying this relationship. Our knowledge is further obscured when the simultaneous presentation of MSPH and GDM takes place. In this context, GDM and MSPH may substantially increase fetal CVD risk due to synergistic impairment of placental nutrient transport and endothelial dysfunction. More studies on the separate and/or cumulative role of both processes are warranted to suggest specific treatment options.

The implications of the purinergic signaling throughout pregnancy

Purinergic signaling is a necessary mechanism to trigger or even amplify cell communication. Its ligands, notably adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine, modulate specific membrane-bound receptors in virtually all human cells. Regardless of the stage of the pregnancy, cellular communication between maternal, placental, and fetal cells is the paramount mechanism to sustain its optimal status. In this review, we describe the crucial role of purinergic signaling on the regulation of the maternal-fetal trophic exchanges, immune control, and endocrine exchanges throughout pregnancy. The nature of the modulation of both ATP and adenosine on the embryo-maternal interface, going through placental invasion until birth delivery depends on the general maternal-fetal health state and consequently on the selective activation of their specific receptors. In addition, an increasing number of studies have been demonstrating the pivotal role of ATP and adenosine in modulating deleterious effects of suboptimal conditions of pregnancy. Here, we discuss the role of purinergic signaling on the balance that coordinates the embryo-maternal exchanges and a promising therapeutic venue in the context of pregnancy disorders.

Gestational diabetes mellitus - A metabolic and reproductive disorder

Maternal health associated with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) has been gaining significant research attention due to its severe risk and adverse health effects. GDM is the leading health disease in pregnant women. It is the most common metabolic disease and it can affect up to 25% of women during pregnancy. Pregnancy is a sensitive period that impacts both pregnant women and their unborn children's long-term health. It is a well-known fact that the leading causes of disease and mortality worldwide are diabetes mellitus and cancer, and specifically, women with diabetes mellitus are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer (BC). Women who have diabetes are equally vulnerable to reproductive diseases. Reproductive dysfunctions with diabetes are mainly attributed to coexisting polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), obesity, and hyperinsulinemia, etc. Moreover, India has long been recognized as the world's diabetic capital, and it is widely acknowledged that particularly pregnant and lactating women are among the most affected by diabetes. In India, one-third (33%) of women with GDM had a history of maternal diabetes. Nevertheless, the latest research suggests that gestational diabetes is also a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases of the mother and offspring. Therefore, in the 21st century, GDM imposes a major challenge for healthcare professionals. We intend to explore the role of diabetes on female reproductive function throughout various stages of life in the perspective of the changing prognosis, prevalence, and prevention of GDM.

Exposome and foetoplacental vascular dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus

A balanced communication between the mother, placenta and foetus is crucial to reach a successful pregnancy. Several windows of exposure to environmental toxins are present during pregnancy. When the women metabolic status is affected by a disease or environmental toxin, the foetus is impacted and may result in altered development and growth. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disease of pregnancy characterised by abnormal glucose metabolism affecting the mother and foetus. This disease of pregnancy associates with postnatal consequences for the child and the mother. The whole endogenous and exogenous environmental factors is defined as the exposome. Endogenous insults conform to the endo-exposome, and disruptors contained in the immediate environment are the ecto-exposome. Some components of the endo-exposome, such as Selenium, vitamins D and B₁₂, adenosine, and a high-fat diet, and ecto-exposome, such as the heavy metals Arsenic, Mercury, Lead and Copper, and per- and polyfluoroakyl substances, result in adverse pregnancies, including an elevated risk of GDM or gestational diabesity. The impact of the exposome on the human placenta's vascular physiology and function in GDM and gestational diabesity is reviewed.

Stromal Cell-Derived Factor (SDF) 2 and the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response of Trophoblast Cells in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and In vitro Hyperglycaemic Condition

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and the unfolded protein response (UPR) are essential cellular mechanisms to ensure the proper functioning of ER in adverse conditions. However, activation of these pathways has also been associated with insulin resistance and cell death in pathological conditions such as diabetes mellitus. In the present study, we investigated whether stromal cell-derived factor 2 (SDF2)-an ER stress-responsive factor-is related to ER response in placental cells exposed to maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or to a hyperglycaemic in vitro condition.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to investigate the role of SDF2 in BeWo cells , a trophoblast cell line originating from choriocarcinoma , and in placental tissue under hyperglycaemic conditions.

METHODS

Protein levels of SDF2 and UPR factors, glucose-related protein 78 (GRP78) and eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (elF2 alpha) were evaluated in the placentae of pregnant women diagnosed with GDM and treated by diet-control (insulin was added when necessary). The mRNA expression of SDF2 and UPR factors CHOP and sXBP1 were assessed in cultured BeWo cells challenged with glucose and treated with or without insulin.

RESULTS

SDF2 expression was increased in the placentae of GDM women treated with diet. However, its values were similar to those of normoglycemic controls when the GDM women were treated with insulin and diet. BeWo cells cultured with high glucose and insulin showed decreased SDF2 expression, while high glucose increased CHOP and sXBP1 expression, which was then significantly reverted with insulin treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our findings extend the understanding of ER stress and SDF2 expression in placentae exposed to hyperglycaemia, highlighting the relevance of insulin in reducing the levels of ER stress factors in placental cells. Understanding the effect of ER stress partners such as SDF2 on signalling pathways involved in gestation, complicated by hyperglycaemia, is pivotal for basic biomedical research and may lead to new therapeutic possibilities.

Comparison of Fetomaternal Outcomes in Patients With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Treated With Insulin Versus Acarbose: Results of a Prospective, Open Label, Controlled Study

Objective

To evaluate fetomaternal outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treated with insulin versus acarbose.

Material and methods

In this prospective, open label, controlled study, GDM patients treated with insulin or acarbose were observed till six weeks after delivery. Maternal outcomes, fetal outcomes and glycemic control were compared between two groups. 

Results

Fifty patients in each group (insulin group-mean age 28.52 years; acarbose group-mean age 26.26 years; p=0.020) were included. There was no difference in body mass index (p=0.157), family history of diabetes (p=0.648), history of GDM (p=0.50) or mean gestational age at diagnosis (p=0.245) between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the incidence of recurrent infections (p=0.64), pre-eclampsia (p=0.64) or premature rupture of membranes (p=0.40) between the two groups. Mean duration of gestational weeks at the time of delivery in the insulin and acarbose group was 36.93 and 38.36 weeks respectively (p=0.002). There was no difference in the modes of delivery, mean post-operative random blood glucose (p=0.96), fasting blood glucose level at day seven (p=0.15) and after six weeks (p=0.83) between the insulin and acarbose groups. There was no difference in reduction in the postprandial blood glucose level at day seven (p=0.48) and after six weeks (p=0.23). There was no significant difference in the mean birth weight of babies born to mothers treated with the two drugs (p=0.21). There was no difference in the incidence of neonatal complications between the two groups.

Conclusion

Acarbose can be an effective and well tolerated option for treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus.

SIRT3 deficiency is resistant to autophagy-dependent ferroptosis by inhibiting the AMPK/mTOR pathway and promoting GPX4 levels

Ferroptosis, an autophagy-dependent cell death, is characterized by lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation, closely associated with pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) has positive regulation on phosphorylation of activated protein kinase (AMPK), related to maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis. However, whether SIRT3 can confer autophagy by activating the AMPK-mTOR pathway and consequently promote induction of ferroptosis is unknown. We used human trophoblastic cell line HTR8/SVneo and porcine trophoblastic cell line pTr2 to deterimine the mechanism of SIRT3 on autophagy and ferroptosis. The expression of SIRT3 protein was significantly elevated in trophoblastic cells exposed to high concentrations of glucose and ferroptosis-inducing compounds. Increased SIRT3 expression contributed to classical ferroptotic events and autophagy activation, whereas SIRT3 silencing led to resistance against both ferroptosis and autophagy. In addition, autophagy inhibition impaired SIRT3-enhanced ferroptosis. On the contrary, autophagy induction had a synergistic effect with SIRT3. Based on mechanistic investigations, SIRT3 depletion inhibited activation of the AMPK-mTOR pathway and enhanced glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) level, thereby suppressing autophagy and ferroptosis. Furthermore, depletion of AMPK blocked induction of ferroptosis in trophoblasts. We concluded that upregulated SIRT3-enhanced autophagy activation by promoting AMPK-mTOR pathway and decreasing GPX4 level to induce ferroptosis in trophoblastic cells. SIRT3 deficiency was resistant to high glucose- and erastin-induced autophagy-dependent ferroptosis and is, therefore, a potential therapeutic approach for treating GDM.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Treatment Schemes Modify Maternal Plasma Cholesterol Levels Dependent to Women´s Weight: Possible Impact on Feto-Placental Vascular Function

: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) associates with fetal endothelial dysfunction (ED), which occurs independently of adequate glycemic control. Scarce information exists about the impact of different GDM therapeutic schemes on maternal dyslipidemia and obesity and their contribution to the development of fetal-ED. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of GDM-treatments on lipid levels in nonobese (N) and obese (O) pregnant women and the effect of maternal cholesterol levels in GDM-associated ED in the umbilical vein (UV). O-GDM women treated with diet showed decreased total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) levels with respect to N-GDM ones. Moreover, O-GDM women treated with diet in addition to insulin showed higher TC and LDL levels than N-GDM women. The maximum relaxation to calcitonin gene-related peptide of the UV rings was lower in the N-GDM group compared to the N one, and increased maternal levels of TC were associated with even lower dilation in the N-GDM group. We conclude that GDM-treatments modulate the TC and LDL levels depending on maternal weight. Additionally, increased TC levels worsen the GDM-associated ED of UV rings. This study suggests that it could be relevant to consider a specific GDM-treatment according to weight in order to prevent fetal-ED, as well as to consider the possible effects of maternal lipids during pregnancy.

Low molecular weight heparin (nadroparin) improves placental permeability in rats with gestational diabetes mellitus via reduction of tight junction factors

Placental structural abnormalities and dysfunction in those with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can lead to increased placental permeability, which is in turn related to a poorer maternal and fetal prognosis. The present study sought to assess whether increased placental permeability in rats with GDM was accompanied by alterations in tight junction (TJ) factors and to evaluate the impact of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on these factors. The present study was conducted using pregnant female rats that were randomized into control, GDM and GDM + LMWH groups. Diabetes was induced via intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin to rats in the GDM and GDM + LMWH groups, whereas rats in the GDM + LMWH group received daily subcutaneous LMWH starting on day 5 of pregnancy. On gestational day 16, all rats were sacrificed and Evans Blue (EB) assay was used to gauge vascular permeability based on EB dye leakage. Transmission electron microscopy was further used to assess TJ structures, and the TJ proteins zonular occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin (OCLN) were assessed using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Blood samples were obtained from the abdominal aorta for ELISA measurements of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) concentrations, and placental receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. In addition, western blotting was used to measure placental NF-κB. Compared with in the control group, EB leakage was markedly increased in GDM group rats; this was associated with reduced ZO-1 and OCLN expression. Conversely, LMWH attenuated this increase in placental permeability in rats with GDM and also mediated a partial recovery of ZO-1 and OCLN expression. Blood glucose and serum AGEs concentrations did not differ between the GDM and GDM + LMWH groups. Furthermore, LMWH treatment resulted in decreases in RAGE and VEGF mRNA expression levels, which were upregulated in the GDM group, whereas it had the opposite effect on the expression of NF-κB. In conclusion, GDM was associated with increased placental permeability and this may be linked with changes in TJs. LMWH intervention mediated protection against this GDM-associated shift in placental permeability via the RAGE/NF-κB pathway.

Serum concentration of angiogenic (CXCL1, CXCL12) and angiostasis (CXCL9, CXCL10) CXC chemokines are differentially altered in normal and gestational diabetes mellitus associated pregnancies

BACKGROUND

The present study was aimed and designed to determine the serum levels of CXCL1 and CXCL12 as angiogenesis along with CXCL9 and CXCL10 as angiostasis, chemokines in, Gestational diabetes mellitus mothers (GDMM) and normal pregnancy mothers (NPM) and neonates who delivered by them.

METHODS

We have recruited 63 pregnant GDMM and 63 normal pregnant mothers at the third trimester of pregnancy to this cross-sectional study. Cord blood specimens were obtained from neonates who were delivered from GDMM and NPM. The serum and cord blood levels of chemokines were measured by ELISA in studied groups. Data were analyzed by chi-square and student's t test between two groups. The P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that the serum levels of CXCL1, CXCL9 and CXCL12 were increased in GDMM, while no alteration was found in the serum levels of CXCL10 when compared to NPM. We have observed that in neonates the serum levels of angiogeneic chemokines followed an inverse fashion when compared to angiostasis chemokines. Interestingly, CXCL1 and CXCL12 were both increased in neonates who were delivered by GDMM, while, CXCL9 and CXCL10 were decreased in neonates delivered by GDMM.

No evidence of attenuation of placental insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and amino acid transport in maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus

Pregnancies complicated by obesity and/or gestational diabetes (GDM) are associated with peripheral insulin resistance; however, the insulin responsiveness of the placenta in these pregnancy complications remains largely unknown. We tested the hypothesis that primary human trophoblast cells and placental villous explants will be insulin responsive, characterized by amino acid transport, Akt and Erk activity with maternal obesity, and/or GDM. We evaluated term placentas from women with normal body mass index (BMI) (normal; n = 15), obesity (OB; n = 11), normal BMI with GDM (N-GDM; n = 11), and obesity with GDM (OB-GDM; n = 11). In a subgroup, primary human trophoblast cells (PHT) were isolated, and in an independent subgroup placental villous explants were exposed to varying concentrations of insulin. Amino acid transport capacity and insulin signaling activity were determined. Insulin significantly increased amino acid transport activity to a similar degree in PHT cells isolated from normal (+21%), N-GDM (+38%), OB (+37%), and OB-GDM (+35%) pregnancies. Insulin increased Akt and Erk phosphorylation in PHT cells (3-fold) and in villous explants (2-fold) in all groups to a similar degree. In contrast to the peripheral maternal insulin resistance commonly associated with obesity and/or GDM, we found that the placenta is insulin sensitive in these pregnancy complications. We suggest that elevated maternal insulin levels in pregnancies complicated by obesity and/or GDM promote critical placental functions, including amino acid transport. Insulin-stimulated placental nutrient delivery may contribute to the increased risk of fetal overgrowth and adiposity in these pregnancies. Moreover, our findings may inform efforts to optimize insulin regimens for women with GDM.

Effect of Different Insulin Therapies on Obstetric-Fetal Outcomes

To evaluate the effectiveness of the different insulin therapies on obstetrics-fetal outcomes in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus. We enrolled 147 pregnant women with pre-existing type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical and biochemical parameters were analysed in relation to obstetric and fetal outcomes. 14.2% received treatment with Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin and short-acting insulin analogues; 19% with premixed human insulin; 40.1% with insulin glargine and lispro, 6.2% with detemir and aspart and 20% with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. All 5 types of treatment achieved a reduction of the mean HbA1c during pregnancy (p = 0.01). Pre-pregnancy care was carried out for 48% of patients. We found no statistically significant differences between the different insulin therapies and the obstetric-fetal outcomes. In conclusión, the different insulin therapies used in patients with pregestational diabetes mellitus does not seem to affect obstetric-fetal outcomes.

Neonates from women with pregestational maternal obesity show reduced umbilical vein endothelial response to insulin

OBJECTIVE

Pregestational maternal obesity (PGMO) associates with foetoplacental vascular endothelial dysfunction and higher risk for insulin resistance in the neonate. We characterised the PGMO consequences on the insulin response of the human foetoplacental vasculature.

METHODS

Umbilical veins were from pregnancies where the mother was with PGMO (body mass index 30-42.3 kg/m², n = 33) or normal pregestational weight (PGMN) (body mass index 19.5-24.4 kg/m², n = 21) with total gestational weight gain within the physiological range. Umbilical vein ring segments were mounted in a myograph for isometric force measurements. Primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used in passage 3. Vessel rings and cells were exposed to 1 nmol/L insulin (20 min) in the absence or presence of 100 μmol/L N^G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, NOS).

RESULTS

Vessel rings from PGMO showed reduced nitric oxide synthase-activity dependent dilation to insulin or calcitonin-gene related peptide compared with PGMN. PGMO associated with higher inhibitor phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and lower activator phosphorylation of protein kinase B/Akt (Akt). Cells from PGMO also showed lower nitric oxide level and reduced activator serine¹¹⁷⁷ but increased inhibitor threonine⁴⁹⁵ phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and saturable transport of l-arginine. HUVECs from PGMO were not responsive to insulin.

CONCLUSION

The lack of response to insulin by the foetoplacental endothelium may result from reduced IRS-1/Akt/eNOS signalling in PGMO. These findings may result in higher risk of insulin resistance in neonates to PGMO pregnancies.

Adenosine kinase and cardiovascular fetal programming in gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a detrimental condition for human pregnancy associated with endothelial dysfunction and endothelial inflammation in the fetoplacental vasculature and leads to increased cardio-metabolic risk in the offspring. In the fetoplacental vasculature, GDM is associated with altered adenosine metabolism. Adenosine is an important vasoactive molecule and is an intermediary and final product of transmethylation reactions in the cell. Adenosine kinase is the major regulator of adenosine levels. Disruption of this enzyme is associated with alterations in methylation-dependent gene expression regulation mechanisms, which are associated with the fetal programming phenomenon. Here we propose that cellular and molecular alterations associated with GDM can dysregulate adenosine kinase leading to fetal programming in the fetoplacental vasculature. This can contribute to the cardio-metabolic long-term consequences observed in offspring after exposure to GDM.

Role of insulin, adenosine, and adipokine receptors in the foetoplacental vascular dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disease of pregnancy associated with maternal and foetal hyperglycaemia and altered foetoplacental vascular function. Human foetoplacental microvascular and macrovascular endothelium from GDM pregnancy show increased maximal l-arginine transport capacity via the human cationic amino acid transporter 1 (hCAT-1) isoform and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). These alterations are paralleled by lower maximal transport activity of the endogenous nucleoside adenosine via the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) and activation of adenosine receptors. A causal relationship has been described for adenosine-activation of A_2A adenosine receptors, hCAT-1, and eNOS activity (i.e. the Adenosine/l-Arginine/Nitric Oxide, ALANO, signalling pathway). Insulin restores these alterations in GDM via activation of insulin receptor A (IR-A) form in the macrovascular but IR-A and IR-B forms in the microcirculation of the human placenta. Adipokines are secreted from adipocytes influencing the foetoplacental metabolic and vascular function. Various adipokines are dysregulated in GDM, with adiponectin and leptin playing major roles. Abnormal plasma concentration of these adipokines and the activation or their receptors are involved in the pathophysiology of GDM. However, involvement of adipokines, adenosine, and insulin receptors and membrane transporters in the aetiology of this disease of pregnancy is unknown. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of insulin and adenosine receptors and l-arginine and adenosine membranes transporters giving an overview of the key adipokines leptin and adiponectin in the foetoplacental vasculature in GDM. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Transporters and Receptors in Pregnancy Metabolic Complications edited by Luis Sobrevia.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress and development of insulin resistance in adipose, skeletal, liver, and foetoplacental tissue in diabesity

Diabesity is an abnormal metabolic condition shown by patients with obesity that develop type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients with diabesity present with insulin resistance, reduced vascular response to insulin, and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Along with the several well-described mechanisms of insulin resistance, a state of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, where the primary human targets are the adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle, and the foetoplacental vasculature, is apparent. ER stress characterises by the activation of the unfolded protein response via three canonical ER stress sensors, i.e., the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), and activating transcription factor 6. Slightly different cell signalling mechanisms preferentially enable in diabesity in the ER stress-associated insulin resistance for adipose tissue (IRE1α/X-box binding protein 1 mRNA splicing/c-jun N-terminal kinase 1 activation), skeletal muscle (tribbles-like protein 3 (TRB3)/proinflammatory cytokines activation), and liver (PERK/activating transcription factor 4/TRB3 activation). There is no information in human subjects with diabesity in the foetoplacental vasculature. However, the available literature shows that pregnant women with pre-pregnancy obesity or overweight that develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their newborn show insulin resistance. ER stress is recently reported to be triggered in endothelial cells from the human umbilical vein from mothers with pre-pregnancy obesity. However, whether a different metabolic alteration to obesity in pregnancy or GDM is present in women with pre-pregnancy obesity that develop GDM, is unknown. In this review, we summarised the findings on diabesity-associated mechanisms of insulin resistance with emphasis in the primary targets adipose, skeletal muscle, liver, and foetoplacental tissues. We also give evidence on the possibility of a new GDM-associated metabolic condition triggered in pregnancy by maternal obesity, i.e. gestational diabesity, leading to ER stress-associated insulin resistance in the human foetoplacental vasculature.