Some markers of placental inflammation in pregnant women with gestational diabetes

Backgroundanalysis of fetal/placental components of women with gestational diabetes presented a slightly inflammatory profile, compared with non-diabetic pregnant women in previous studies by our group. Leptin, resistin and IL-6 are involved in the inflammatory process while adiponectin can act in anti-inflammatory processes. PurposeSince both obesity and gestational diabetes are associated with inflammatory conditions, through these mediators we seek to evaluate systemic patterns in pregnant women and fetal patterns of this possible inflammation. Materials and MethodsThree adipokines (leptin, resistin and adiponectin) and one cytokine (IL-6) were studied in three different compartments (maternal serum, fetal serum and amniotic membrane culture supernatant). Four pregnant groups were analyzed (eutrophic, overweight, obese and gestational diabetics (GDM)). Maternal and fetal serum and amnion membrane biopsies were collected from 20 GDM and 28 normoglycemic subjects (Controls) who underwent elective cesarean sections. ResultsWe found a higher production of IL-6 in the culture supernatant of the amniotic membrane of obese pregnant women and more significantly in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. We did not observe correlation between the levels of mediators detected in the three compartments (mother serum, fetal serum and culture supernatant of amniotic membrane). ConclusionMainly in the amniotic membrane of pregnant women with GDM, a slight increase in inflammatory markers was observed.