This study identifies miR-20a-5p as a potential biomarker for GDM in our population. Gene targets of miR-20a-5p regulate a number of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways not related to GDM, suggesting that miR-20a-5p may have limited disease specificity on its own. Such miRNAs may be useful if incorporated into miRNA panels or risk assessment algorithms to identify GDM. Studies with larger samples are required to strengthen the candidacy of miR-20a-5p as a biomarker for GDM and to assess clinical applicability.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a growing public health problem worldwide. The condition is associated with perinatal complications and an increased risk for future metabolic disease in both mothers and their offspring. In recent years, molecular biomarkers received considerable interest as screening tools for GDM. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the current status of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), DNA methylation, and microRNAs as biomarkers for GDM. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for articles published between January 1990 and August 2018. The search terms included “gestational diabetes mellitus”, “blood”, “single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)”, “DNA methylation”, and “microRNAs”, including corresponding synonyms and associated terms for each word. This review updates current knowledge of the candidacy of these molecular biomarkers for GDM with recommendations for future research avenues.

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HighlightsDepending on the concentration, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can be toxic to cells.3T3-L1 adipocytes are a well-established model to study anti-obesity properties.DMSO doses ≥1% reduced cell viability and promoted cell damage in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.