Association between Plasma Trace Element Concentrations in Early Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Shanghai, China

Abstract

(1) Background: Trace elements play important roles in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but the results from reported studies are inconsistent. This study aimed to examine the association between maternal exposure to V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and Se in early pregnancy and GDM. (2) Methods: A nested case-control study with 403 GDM patients and 763 controls was conducted. Trace elements were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in plasma collected from pregnant women in the first trimester of gestation. We used several statistical methods to explore the association between element exposure and GDM risk. (3) Results: Plasma V and Ni were associated with increased and decreased risk of GDM, respectively, in the single-element model. V and Mn were found to be positively, and Ni was found to be negatively associated with GDM risk in the multi-element model. Mn may be the main contributor to GDM risk and Ni the main protective factor against GDM risk in the quantile g computation (QGC). 6.89 μg/L~30.88 μg/L plasma Ni was identified as a safe window for decreased risk of GDM. (4) Conclusions: V was positively associated with GDM risk, while Ni was negatively associated. Ni has dual effects on GDM risk.

Are miR‐26a and miR‐26b microRNAs potent prognostic markers of gestational diabetes?

“… 6 , 13 , 48 , 49 The specific mechanisms by which hyperglycemia impairs the development of the fetus are not fully understood, but reduced arachidonic acid and myoinositol and the accumulation of sorbitol and trace metals in the fetus in animal models have been reported as the causes of this phenomenon. 48 , 50 , 51 , 52 To diagnose and control diseases like the metabolic disorder of diabetes, several biomarkers have been investigated. Blood microRNAs are considered potential biomarkers because of their numerous advantages, such as their abundance and stability in serum and their potential relationship to certain diseases.…”

“…In the first trimester of pregnancy, maternal hyperglycemia can cause diabetic embryopathy, which leads to severe congenital disabilities and even spontaneous abortion 6,13,48,49 . The specific mechanisms by which hyperglycemia impairs the development of the fetus are not fully understood, but reduced arachidonic acid and myoinositol and the accumulation of sorbitol and trace metals in the fetus in animal models have been reported as the causes of this phenomenon 48,50–52 . To diagnose and control diseases like the metabolic disorder of diabetes, several biomarkers have been investigated.…”

“…48,[50][51][52] To diagnose and control diseases like the metabolic disorder of diabetes, several biomarkers have been investigated. Blood microRNAs are consideredT A B L E 2…”

Micronutrients in Maternal and Infant Health: Where We Are and Where We Should Go

“…Recent studies have reported that increased or decreased concentrations of some trace elements were associated with the risk of GDM. Wu et al [12] also examined the association between maternal exposure to vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, and selenium in early pregnancy and the risk of GDM, and found that vanadium was positively associated with the risk of GDM, while nickel was negatively associated. Dai et al [13] reported that prenatal manganese exposure was negatively correlated with childhood physical development, which appeared to be most significant in the early stages.…”