Endocrine Abstracts

The relationship between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and oxidative stress is not well known and the effect of oxidative stress in GDM placenta and the impact that could have on perinatal morbidity and risk of future complications is also yet to be elucidated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationships between maternal and placental tissue levels of markers of oxidative stress and antioxidants in women with GDM, which potentially may have considerable clinical implications in the pathogenesis and/or the evolution of GDM. Pregnant women (n=78; 53 with GDM, 25 controls), between the 24th and 29th week of gestation were enrolled. Both groups were analyzed for demographic data, perinatal and obstetrics results and the levels of the markers oxidative stress and antioxidants status were measured. Seven placenta GDM and seven normal placenta were studied. In the univariate analysis control versus patient results were: pre-gestational BMI 23.31±4.2 vs 27.13±4.6kg/m² (P=0.001); weeks at delivery 39.2±3.05 vs 38.9±1.8 (P=0.09); caesarean delivery 12.5 vs 43% (P=0.004); macrosomia 4 vs 9.4% (P=0.6); lipoperoxides (LPO) 2.06±1.00 vs 3.14±1.55μmol/mg (P=0.001); catalase 3.23±1.41 vs 2.52±1.3nmol/min per ml (P=0.03); superoxide dismutase (SOD) 0.11±0.04 vs 0.08±0.01U/ml (P=0.0003); glutathione peroxidase (GPX) 0.03±0.006 vs 0.025±0.006nmol/min per ml (P=0.01); glutathione reductase (GSH) 0.004±0.002 vs 0.004±0.004nmol/min per ml (P=0.9)); glutathione transferase (GST) 0.0025±0.0012 vs 0.0027±0.00017nmol/min per ml (P=0.7). Multivariate analysis showed catalase might have a protective effect and LPO seems to be a risk factor for GDM development. In GDM placenta levels catalase (n=0.05), SOD (n=0.03) and GPx (n=0.04) were significantly increased. These data suggest an increase in oxidative stress and a decrease in antioxidative defence in women with GDM and, as such, may have considerable clinical implications in the pathogenesis and/or the course of the pregnancy in these patients.