Inflammatory mediators in overweight pregnant women and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance of variable severity, which appeared or was diagnosed during pregnancy. The incidence of overweight reproductive age women is increasing significantly throughout the world, raising the risks for GDM and other obstetric complications. Investigations on the association gestation/obesity/GDM have been focused primarily on epidemiological and clinical aspects. Although the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of GDM in overweight women are still not clear, it seems that inflammatory response plays a central role. Molecules such as adiponectin, leptin, resistin, visfatin, C-reactive protein and ghrelin are noted for being strongly associated with the mechanism of insulin resistance and overweight.Inflammatory mediators have been implicated in the pathophysiology of GDM, however, there are no known predictive markers for this disorder. The objective of this study is to identify predictive biomarkers for DMG in overweight women in the first half of pregnancy. To achieve this aim, we will follow a cohort of overweight pregnant women to assess whether changes in serum levels of adiponectin, leptin, resistin, visfatina, C reactive protein and ghrelin in the first half of gestation precede the later development of GDM.