Gestational diabetes mellitus — literature review on selected cytokines and hormones of confirmed or possible role in its pathogenesis

Abstract

The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases globally, including Poland. Considering serious consequences of gestational diabetes for both mother and fetus, screening for this disorder is an obligatory element of managing pregnant woman. The pathogenesis of gestational diabetes is not yet thoroughly explained. However, it is insulin resistance and chronic subclinical inflammatory process which are considered to be major factors responsible for the development of GDM. These two states are triggered mainly by secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and by abnormal function of adipose tissue. The study reviews the literature on selected hormones and cytokines whose role in the GDM pathogenesis has been already confirmed as well as on those proteins whose role is either not yet fully understood or which may possibly participate in GDM development. Owing to the fact that underlying mechanisms of GDM are, in general, similar to the mechanisms responsible for metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus type 2 or obesity, in this review we focus first on the role these molecules play in pathogenesis of metabolic disorders and then present current state of knowledge on their action in gestational diabetes development. The review presents: TNF alpha, adipokines-adiponectin and leptin and relatively newly discovered proteins: fetuin A, periostin, angiopoietin-like protein 8 or high mobility group box.

FABP4 in Gestational Diabetes—Association between Mothers and Offspring

“…The study subject was FABP4—a newer adipokine which appears to be involved in the pathophysiology not only of GDM but also of adiposity, insulin resistance, T2DM, atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary artery and cerebrovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome [18,21,22,23,24,25,26,29,30]. In our previous study, we concluded that FABP4 seems to be an “inauspicious”/a proinflammatory adipokine [18].…”

LncRNA XIST serves as a diagnostic biomarker in gestational diabetes mellitus and its regulatory effect on trophoblast cell via miR-497-5p/FOXO1 axis

“…Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a health concern with anomalous glucose tolerance in pregnant women and a prevailing endocrine disorder (1). The insulin resistance and variation of fat metabolism and glycometabolism in the gestation period triggered by hormones and cytokines secreted by the placenta are a primary explanation of GDM (2). The possible risks of suffering cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes for patients with a history of GDM are raised as previous investigations (3,4).…”

Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4—An “Inauspicious” Adipokine—In Serum and Urine of Post-Partum Women with Excessive Gestational Weight Gain and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

“…In this study, we concentrated on the fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4). This newer adipokine appears to be one of the most probable candidates involved in the pathophysiology of GDM, similarly to well-known and verified markers of diabetes and obesity, such as adiponectin, leptin, and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) [11,12,13]. Furthermore, the roles of FABP4 in the development of adiposity, insulin resistance, T2DM, atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary artery and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as metabolic syndrome, are of great concern [14,15,16,17,18].…”