Analysis of gut microbiota in women with or without gestational diabetes and their offsprings at the beginning of life

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the major challenges of global public health and knowledge of risk factors, pathophysiology and natural history may be essential to establish prevention measures. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), an significant risk factor for type 2 DM (2 TDM), affects 18% of pregnancies in Brazil and can have consequences for the offspring as well, conferring higher risk of diabetes and obesity in the future. In addition to GDM, other early life events such as low birth weight, cesarean birth and artificial breastfeeding have been associated with overweight and DM in the adult life. Studies suggest the role of the intestinal microbiota in the genesis of subclinical inflammation and insulin resistance, which play a role in the pathophysiology of 2TDM. Research on the changes in microbiome during pregnancy and impact on the microbiota of the babies, can contribute to the understanding of the link between the metabolism of the mother and the baby and its repercussions on their future health. Thus, the primary objective of the study is to compare the composition of the microbiota of women with or without GDM and their offspring. In offspring, the potential effect of other early life events, such as parental weight, weight gain in gestation and breastfeeding will also be evaluated. The sample of the study will be of convenience, from outpatients of the Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP and the evaluation of the microbiota will be in 100 pregnant women, being 50 with and 50 without DMG and their babies with 2 to 4 months of life. Data collection will consist of a standardized questionnaire, food survey, maternal biochemical evaluation and feces collection. There is an expectation to establish associations between early life events, in particular GDM, microbiota and metabolic biomarkers. Dysbiosis, early in the life cycle, might providing mechanisms that would favor accumulation of body fat, subclinical inflammation and insulin resistance in adult life. (AU)