Plasma microRNA-16-5p, -17-5p and -20a-5p are potential diagnostic biomarkers in GDM.

Background: Our study aimed to examine the effects of daily consumption of vitamin D₃-supplemented yogurt (VDY) drink on insulin resistance and lipid profiles in pregnant gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients. Methods: Participants aged 24-32 years in their second trimester were randomly assigned to consume either plain yogurt or VDY daily for 16 weeks. Metabolic and lipid profiles including levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum insulin, triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were assessed at baseline (week 0) and end of trial (week 16). Results: After 16 weeks of intervention, insulin-related variables including FPG and serum insulin levels were markedly lower in VDY group participants. Insulin resistance parameters, such as homeostasis model of assessment of insulin resistance and β cell function, were also significantly reduced in VDY group participants. Moreover, levels of TAG, TC and LDL, as well as the TC to high-density lipoprotein ratio, had also significantly decreased in the VDY group. Conclusion: Daily consumption of VDY drink improves insulin resistance and lipid profiles in women with GDM.

Ovarian cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Owing to late syndromic presentation and lack of efficient early detection, most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages. Surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy are still the standard care currently. However, resistance invoked often compromises the clinical value of the latter. Expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) was analysed by gene array. Protein was determined by immunoblotting. Exosome was isolated with commercial kit. Cell proliferation was measured by CCK8 method. Annexin V-PI double staining was performed for apoptosis evaluation. Xenograft model was established and administrated with exosome. Tumour growth and overall survival were monitored. We demonstrated the upregulation of DNMT1 in both tumour and derived cell line. DNMT1 transcripts were highly enriched in exosomes from conditioned medium of ovarian cells. Co-incubation with exosomes stimulated endogenous expression and rendered host cell the resistance to cytotoxicity of cisplatin. In vivo administration of DNMT1-containing exosomes exacerbated xenograft progression and reduced overall survival significantly. Moreover, treatment with exosome inhibitor GW4869 almost completely restored sensitivity in resistant cells. Our data elucidated an unappreciated mechanism of exosomal DNMT1 in cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer, also indicating the potential of the combination of exosome inhibitor with cisplatin in resistant patients.

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Background As the most ordinary metabolic disorder during pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has become a severe risk for the health of both pregnant female and fetus. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is the dominant active component in Astragalus membranaceus. It has been proved that AS-IV has anti-inflammation and immune-regulation function. We aimed to demonstrate the function of AS-IV in the therapy of GDM and the molecular mechanism in this process. Methods C57BL/KsJ-Lepdb/+ female mice were used as GDM model. The mRNA levels of relative genes in this research were detected by qRT-PCR. The protein levels of relative genes were analyzed by western blot. Serum concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were analyzed by ELISA. Results Glucose and insulin levels in GDM mice model were decreased by AS-IV treatment. AS-IV down-regulated the expression of inflammatory gene IL-6 and TNF-α in GDM mice model. AS-IV treatment inhibited the expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome relative proteins in the pancreas of GDM mice. Conclusion This study demonstrated that AS-IV treatment has an effective therapeutic function of GDM in mice model through the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pancreas.

The glucose intolerance developed during pregnancy is called gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). GDM has become a severe risk for the health of both mother and baby. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is the dominant active component in Astragalus membranaceus and has been reported to have anti-inflammation and immune-regulation function. We aimed to demonstrate the function of AS-IV in the therapy of GDM and the molecular mechanism in this process. C57BL/KsJ-Lepdb/+ female mice were used as the GDM model. The mRNA levels of relative genes in this research were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The protein levels of relative genes were analyzed by Western blot. Serum lipid level was measured with an ILab Chemistry Analyzer 300 PLUS. Glucose, insulin, and lipid profile levels in the GDM mice model were decreased by AS-IV treatment. AS-IV downregulated the expression of inflammatory genes and upregulated the expressions of anti-oxidant genes in the GDM mice model. AS-IV treatment reduced cAMP accumulation in liver and reduced hepatic gluconeogenesis in GDM mice. This study demonstrated that AS-IV treatment has an effective therapeutic function of GDM in a mice model through the regulation of cAMP accumulation and hepatic gluconeogenesis.

Daily consumption of a phytosterol-enriched spread improved insulin resistance and lipid profile in women with GDM.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disease commonly occurs during mid to late pregnancy with pathologies such as hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and mal-development of fetus. We have previously demonstrated that pancreatic endoderm (PE) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) effectively alleviated diabetic symptoms in a mouse model of GDM, although the clinical efficacy was limited due to oxidative stress. In this study, using the anti-oxidant agent naringenin, we aimed to further enhance the efficacy of hESC-derived PE transplant. Insulin-secreting PE was differentiated from hESCs, which were then transplanted into GDM mice. Naringenin was administered to mice receiving the PE transplant, with sham operated mice serving as negative control, to assess its effect on alleviation of GDM symptoms. We found that naringenin supplement further improved insulin response, glucose metabolism and reproductive outcome of the PE-transplanted female mice. Our new findings further potentiates the feasibility of using differentiated hESCs to treat GDM, in which anti-oxidative agent such as naringenin could greatly enhance the clinical efficacy of stem cell based therapies.