Relationships among acylation-stimulating protein, insulin resistance, lipometabolism, and fetal growth in gestational diabetes mellitus women

New insights of acylation stimulating protein in modulating the pathological progression of metabolic syndromes

Obesity is associated with insulin resistance, hypertension, and coronary artery diseases which are grouped as metabolic syndrome. Rather than being a storage for energy, the adipocytes could synthesis and secret diverse hormones and molecules, named as adipokines. Under obese status, the adipocytes are dysfunctional with excessively producing the inflammatory related cytokines, such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Concerning on the vital role of adipokines, it is proposed that one of the critical pathological factors of obesity is the dysfunctional adipocytic pathways. Among these adipokines, acylation stimulating protein, as an adipokine synthesized by adipocytes during the process of cell differentiation, is shown to activate the metabolism of triglyceride (TG) by regulating the catabolism of glucose and free fatty acid (FFA). Recent attention has paid to explore the underlying mechanism whereby acylation stimulating protein influences the biological function of adipocyte and the pathological development of obesity. In the present review, we summarized the progression of acylation stimulating protein in modulating the physiological and hormonal catabolism which affects fat distribution. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms which acylation stimulating protein regulates the metabolism of adipose tissue and the process of metabolic syndrome were also summarized.

Acylation stimulating protein/C3adesArg in the metabolic states: role of adipocyte dysfunction in obesity complications

Adipose tissue, as an endocrine organ, secretes several adipocyte-derived hormones named 'adipokines' that are implicated in regulating energy haemostasis. Substantial evidence shows that white adipose tissue-derived adipokines mediate the link between obesity-related exogenous factors (like diet and lifestyle) and various biological events (such as pre- and postmenopausal status) that have obesity consequences (cardiometabolic disorders). One of the critical aetiological factors for obesity-related diseases is the dysfunction of adipokine pathways. Acylation-stimulating protein (ASP) is an adipokine that stimulates triglyceride synthesis and storage in adipose tissue by enhancing glucose and fatty acid uptake. ASP acts via its receptor C5L2. The primary objective of this review is to address the existing gap in the literature regarding ASP by investigating its diverse responses and receptor interactions across multiple determinants of obesity. These determinants include diet composition, metabolic disorders, organ involvement, sex and sex hormone levels. Furthermore, this article explores the broader paradigm shift from solely focusing on adipose tissue mass, which contributes to obesity, to considering the broader implications of adipose tissue function. Additionally, we raise a critical question concerning the clinical relevance of the insights gained from this review, both in terms of potential therapeutic interventions targeting ASP and in the context of preventing obesity-related conditions, highlighting the potential of the ASP-C5L2 interaction as a pharmacological target. In conclusion, these findings validate that obesity is a low-grade inflammatory status with multiorgan involvement and sex differences, demonstrating dynamic interactions between immune and metabolic response determinants.

Interactive effects of gestational diabetes mellitus and maximum level of total bile acid in maternal serum on adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To study the combined effect of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and maximum level of maternal serum total bile acid (TBA) on the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

METHODS

This was an observational study with 724 women with ICP. Perinatal outcomes were compared by the presence of GDM. Logistic regression was used to assess the independent and multiplicative interactions of GDM and maximum maternal serum TBA on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Additive interactions were calculated using an Excel sheet developed by Andersson to calculate relative excess risks.

RESULTS

The incidence of GDM in patients with ICP was 21.55%. Maternal age, pre-pregnancy weight, parity, and gravidity were positively correlated with GDM. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and fetal distress rates were higher in the GDM vs. non-GDM group. There were no significant differences in biochemical outcomes (i.e., Triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bile acid (TBA)) between the two groups. In terms of adverse pregnancy outcomes, GDM was only associated with maximum TBA concentration for cesarean section. No additive or pairwise interactions were detected between GDM and maximum TBA concentration and HDP, PPH, preterm delivery, LGA, SGA, and cesarean section.

CONCLUSION

GDM independently contributes to adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with ICP. However, the combined effects of GDM and maximum TBA concentration on adverse pregnancy outcomes do not appear to be multiplicative or additive.

Exosomal non coding RNAs as a novel target for diabetes mellitus and its complications

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a first-line priority among the problems facing medical science and public health in almost all countries of the world. The main problem of DM is the high incidence of damage to the cardiovascular system, which in turn leads to diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, gangrene of the lower extremities, blindness and chronic renal failure. As a result, the study of the molecular genetic mechanisms of the pathogenesis of DM is of critical importance for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Molecular genetic aspects of the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus are intensively studied in well-known laboratories around the world. One of the strategies in this direction is to study the role of exosomes in the pathogenesis of DM. Exosomes are microscopic extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 30-100 nm, released into the intercellular space by cells of various tissues and organs. The content of exosomes depends on the cell type and includes mRNA, non-coding RNAs, DNA, and so on. Non-coding RNAs, a group of RNAs with limited transcriptional activity, have been discovered to play a significant role in regulating gene expression through epigenetic and posttranscriptional modulation, such as silencing of messenger RNA. One of the problems of usage exosomes in DM is the identification of the cellular origin of exosomes and the standardization of protocols for molecular genetic studies in clinical laboratories. In addition, the question of the target orientation of exosomes and their targeted activity requires additional study. Solving these and other problems will make it possible to use exosomes for the diagnosis and delivery of drugs directly to target cells in DM. This study presents an analysis of literature data on the role of exosomes and ncRNAs in the development and progression of DM, as well as the prospects for the use of exosomes in clinical practice in this disease.

Associations of Longitudinal Fetal Growth Patterns With Cardiometabolic Factors at Birth

BACKGROUND

Birth weight is associated with cardiometabolic factors at birth. However, it is unclear when these associations occur in fetal life. We aimed to investigate the associations between fetal growth in different gestational periods and cord blood cardiometabolic factors.

METHODS

We included 1,458 newborns from the Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study, China. Z-scores of fetal size parameters [weight, abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL)] at 22 weeks and growth at 22-27, 28-36, and ≥37 weeks were calculated from multilevel linear spline models. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the associations between fetal growth variables and z-scores of cord blood cardiometabolic factors.

RESULTS

Fetal weight at each period was positively associated with insulin levels, with stronger association at 28-36 weeks (β, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.39) and ≥37 weeks (β, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.20) compared with earlier gestational periods. Fetal weight at 28-36 (β, -0.32; 95% CI, -0.39 to -0.24) and ≥37 weeks (β, -0.26; 95% CI, -0.31 to -0.21) was negatively associated with triglyceride levels, whereas weight at 28-36 weeks was positively associated with HDL levels (β, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.20). Similar results were observed for AC. Fetal FL at 22 and 22-27 weeks was associated with increased levels of insulin, glucose, and HDL.

CONCLUSIONS

Fetal growth at different gestational periods was associated with cardiometabolic factors at birth, suggesting that an interplay between fetal growth and cardiometabolic factors might exist early in pregnancy.

Plasma Levels of Free Fatty Acids in Women with Gestational Diabetes and Its Intrinsic and Extrinsic Determinants: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Free fatty acids, also known as nonesterified fatty acids, are proinflammatory molecules that induce insulin resistance in nonpregnant individuals. Nevertheless, the concentration of these molecules has not been systematically addressed in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis is aimed at evaluating the difference in free fatty acid plasma levels between women with gestational diabetes and healthy pregnant controls and their intrinsic and extrinsic determinants.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search to find relevant studies published in English and Spanish using PubMed, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Knowledge. We included observational studies measuring the mean plasma levels of free fatty acids among gestational diabetes and healthy pregnant women, with at least ten subjects being analyzed in each group. The standardized mean difference (SMD) by random effects modeling was used. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q, H, and I ² statistics.

RESULTS

Among the 290 identified studies, twelve were selected for analysis. A total of 2426 women were included, from which 21% were diagnosed as having gestational diabetes. There were significantly higher levels of free fatty acids among women with gestational diabetes (SMD: 0.86; 0.54-1.18; p < 0.001) when compared to healthy pregnant controls and between-study heterogeneity (I ² = 91%). The metaregression analysis showed that the gestational age at inclusion was the only cofactor influencing the mean levels of free fatty acids, indicating a trend towards lower plasma levels of free fatty acids later in gestation (estimate: -0.074; -0.143 to -0.004; p = 0.036). No significant publication bias was found nor a trend towards greater results in small studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with gestational diabetes have higher levels of free fatty acids when compared to healthy pregnant controls. More investigation is needed to assess the potential role of free fatty acids in the prediction of gestational diabetes earlier in pregnancy.