Oxidative DNA damage in early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: A pilot study

Abstract Context While the associations between thyroid markers and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been extensively studied, the results are inconclusive and the mechanisms remain unclear. Objective We aimed to investigate the prospective associations of thyroid markers in early gestation with GDM risk, and examine the mediating effects through lipid species. Methods This study included 6068 pregnant women from the Tongji-Shuangliu Birth Cohort. Maternal serum thyroid markers (free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroid peroxidase antibody, and thyroglobulin antibody) were measured before 15 weeks. Deiodinase activity was assessed by fT3/fT4 ratio. Plasma lipidome were quantified in a subset of 883 participants. Results Mean age of the participants was 26.6 ± 3.7 years, and mean gestational age was 10.3 ± 2.0 weeks. Higher levels of fT4 were associated with a decreased risk of GDM (OR=0.73 comparing the extreme quartiles; 95% CI 0.54, 0.98, Ptrend =0.043), while higher fT3/fT4 ratio was associated with an increased risk of GDM (OR=1.43 comparing the extreme quartiles; 95% CI 1.06, 1.93, Ptrend =0.010) after adjusting for potential confounders. Multiple linear regression suggested that fT3/fT4 ratio was positively associated with alkylphosphatidylcholine 36:1, phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen 38:6, diacylglyceride 18:0/18:1, sphingomyelin 34:1, and phosphatidylcholine 40:7 (false discovery rate adjusted P<0.05). Mediation analysis indicated 67.9% of the association between fT3/fT4 ratio and GDM might be mediated through the composite effect of these lipids. Conclusions Lower concentration of serum fT4 or higher fT3/fT4 ratio in early pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of GDM. The association of fT3/fT4 ratio with GDM was largely mediated by specific lipid species.

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Childhood maltreatment and inflammation among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A pilot study

Obstetric Medicine ◽

10.1177/1753495x17701320 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 120-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Margaret Bublitz ◽

Suzanne De La Monte ◽

Susan Martin ◽

Lucia Larson ◽

Ghada Bourjeily

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Past Research ◽

Increased Risk

Background Women with childhood maltreatment histories are at increased risk for adverse birth outcomes. Mechanisms explaining this link are poorly understood. Past research is limited by sampling pregnant women at low risk for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods This pilot study was a secondary data analysis of 24 women with gestational diabetes mellitus; 17% of the sample also reported a maltreatment history. Women provided a blood sample to measure inflammatory cytokines and insulin resistance, and saliva samples to measure diurnal cortisol. Birth outcomes for past and current pregnancies were recorded. Results Histories of maltreatment were associated with elevated interleukin-15 and a marginally greater incidence of preterm delivery in current and past pregnancies. Conclusions This pilot study was the first to demonstrate an association between childhood maltreatment history and inflammatory cytokine levels in pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus.

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