Alterations of gut microbiota‐derived metabolites in gestational diabetes mellitus and clinical significance

Abstract

Background The change in the characteristics of the gut microbiota is linked to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, whether and how the gut microbiota‐derived metabolites change in GDM is uncertain. Here, we aimed to determine associations between the gut microbiota‐derived metabolites and GDM. Methods Using targeted metabolomics approaches, 7 types of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), 38 types of bile acids (BAs), and 5 types of trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO), and its derivatives of serum samples were obtained from pregnant women with GDM (n = 24), and healthy pregnant controls (HC, n = 28) were detected to identify the metabolic signature of GDM to investigate the potential biomarkers. Moreover, we assessed the associations between gut microbiota‐derived metabolites and clinical parameters. Results In our study, the gut microbiota‐derived metabolites signatures were significantly different between GDM and HC. Quantitative results showed the levels of isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, GUDCA, THDCA + TUDCA, and LCA‐3S were significantly higher in GDM, but the level of TMAO and its derivatives did not change significantly. Some altered gut microbiota‐derived metabolites were significantly correlated with glucose and lipid levels. Receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of generalized linear models showed that gut microbiota‐derived metabolites may be potential biomarkers of GDM. Conclusion This study highlights gut microbiota‐derived metabolites alterations in GDM and correlation of the clinical indicators, which provides a new direction for future studies aiming to novel serum biomarker for early detection or target of drug therapy of GDM.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) water extract improves diarrhea symptoms by changing the gut environment: a randomized controlled trial

“…Isobutyric acid is a branched-chain fatty acid produced in the process of fermenting branched-chain amino acids, such as valine, leucine, and isoleucine, by the intestinal flora. 30 This finding suggests the possibility that the increased isobutyric acid resulting from CWE ingestion might improve gut health and alleviate inflammation. CWE also decreased fecal indole concentrations.…”

Expression and clinical significance of short-chain fatty acids in pregnancy complications

“…Another study found that increased adipose tissue and cholesterol in pregnant women promoted metabolic abnormalities and systemic inflammation, leading to poor placental vascularization and promoting the occurrence of PE ( Alston et al., 2022 ). The reason for this difference may be related to dyslipidemia of pregnancy (DLP) caused by insulin resistance, increased lipoprotein synthesis, and lipolysis during normal pregnancy in the NP group ( Gao et al., 2022 ). The content of acetic and propionic acids in GDM patients was also higher than that in the NP group, while cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins showed no significant difference compared with the NP group, which might also be related to DLP.…”

Contractile effect of trimethylamine and trimethylamine‐n‐oxide on isolated human umbilical arteries

“…27,28 TMAO was associated with pregnancy induced diseases such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in recent studies. 13,29 Chen et al were examined the role of TMAO on endothelial dysfunction and hypertension in a rat model of preeclampsia (reduced uterine perfusion pressure model). 30 They reported that increased TMAO plasma levels, contribute to endothelial dysfunction and hypertension by promoting vascular inflammation and oxidative stress in preeclampsia rat model.…”

“…TMAO was associated with pregnancy induced diseases such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in recent studies 13,29 . Chen et al were examined the role of TMAO on endothelial dysfunction and hypertension in a rat model of preeclampsia (reduced uterine perfusion pressure model) 30 .…”