Placental neurotrophin levels in gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective Neurotrophins are known to influence the development and maturation of the feto‐placental unit and affect fetal growth trajectories. This study reports the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain‐derived growth factor (BDNF) in the placenta of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods A total number of 60 women with GDM and 70 women without GDM (non‐GDM) were included in the study. Placental NGF and BDNF levels were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. Results Placental NGF levels were lower (p < .05) in women with GDM compared to non‐GDM women. Maternal body mass index (BMI), mode of delivery, and the gender of the baby influenced the placental NGF levels. Placental BDNF levels were similar in GDM and non‐GDM women. There was an influence of baby gender on the placental BDNF levels while maternal BMI and mode of delivery did not show any effect. In regression models adjusted for maternal age at delivery, gestational age, maternal BMI, mode of delivery, and baby gender, the placental NGF levels in the GDM group were lower (−0.144 pg/ml [95% CI −0.273, 22120.016] p = .028) as compared to the non‐GDM group. However, there was no difference in the BDNF levels between the groups. Conclusion This study for the first time demonstrates differential effects on neurotrophic factors such as BDNF and NGF in the placenta in pregnancies complicated by GDM. Alterations in the levels of placental neurotrophins in GDM deliveries may affect placental development and fetal brain growth. This has implications for increased risk for neurodevelopmental pathologies in later life.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Gestational Diabetes: Analysis of Maternal Serum and Cord Blood Pairs and Comparison of Dietary- and Insulin-Dependent GDM

“…Studies on the influence of GDM on fetal and maternal blood BDNF levels are rare, characterized by small numbers, or analyzed by either mother or fetus or placenta [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. Our data are complementary to previously published results and show an inverse correlation between hyperglycemia and BDNF concentration.…”

“…There are no studies analyzing blood levels in women with GDM compared to healthy controls. Jadhav et al [33] found no significant differences in placental BDNF levels between n = 60 patients with GDM and n = 70 non-diabetic patients. Here, the significant difference in gestational age between both groups may have been a limiting factor.…”

Associations among prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus, brain structure, and child adiposity markers

“…Although the mechanisms for increased obesity risk in GDMexposed offspring are unknown, existing studies suggest a neural basis. Serum levels of neurotrophins, including nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor-essential for neuronal growth, development, and differentiation-are lower in pregnant women with diabetes [16] and infants prenatally exposed to GDM [17]. Offspring exposed to GDM prenatally demonstrate brain structural alterations, such as presence of hypothalamic gliosis [18,19], lower white matter integrity in sensorimotor regions [20], lower cortical excitability [21], and mixed results on hippocampal thickness [22,23].…”

Associations between prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus and child adiposity markers: mediating effects of brain structure

“…Parallel to effects of prenatal exposure to maternal diabetes on adiposity and metabolism, there is a growing body of work showing that prenatal exposure to maternal diabetes may affect brain development. It has been shown that levels of neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – essential for neuronal growth, development, and differentiation – were lower in pregnant women with diabetes 8 or infants prenatally exposed to maternal diabetes 9 . Infants and youth prenatally exposed to maternal diabetes also demonstrated brain structural deficits, such as reduced hippocampal thickness 10 , reduced white matter integrity in sensorimotor regions 11 , and reduced cortical excitability 12 except for one study 13 .…”

“…While the mechanisms for increased obesity risk in GDM-exposed offspring are unknown, existing studies suggest a neural basis. Serum levels of neurotrophins including nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – essential for neuronal growth, development, and differentiation – are lower in pregnant women with diabetes(21) and infants prenatally exposed to GDM(22). Offspring exposed to GDM prenatally demonstrated brain structural alterations, such as presence of hypothalamic gliosis, lower white matter integrity in sensorimotor regions(23), lower cortical excitability(24), and mixed results on the hippocampal thickness(25, 26).…”