Associations of Serum Selenium Levels in the First Trimester of Pregnancy with the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Preterm Birth: a Preliminary Cohort Study.

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may have lower serum selenium levels than healthy controls, which may be associated with preterm birth. We explored the association of serum selenium levels in early pregnancy with the risk of GDM and preterm birth among Chinese women. We included 398 women with a singleton pregnancy, who were followed up prospectively from the first prenatal visit until delivery. Serum selenium levels were measured in the first trimester. After delivery, data concerning mothers and their children were sourced from medical records by researchers who were blind to the participants' selenium status. Of the 398 women, 71 (17.8%) had GDM, 21(5.3%) had preterm birth, and 266 (66.8%) had selenium deficiency (serum selenium < 70 µg/L). Women in the upper three quartiles of serum selenium level did not have a significantly lower risk of GDM or preterm birth than those in the lowest quartile after adjustment for covariates (all p > 0.05). When serum selenium levels were classified as normal or deficient, the risk of GDM or preterm birth among women with normal serum selenium levels was still not lower than that of women with deficient serum selenium levels after adjustment for covariates (all p > 0.05). Although selenium deficiency was common in the Chinese women in our cohort, our results indicate that low serum selenium level during early pregnancy may not be a strong predictor of the risk of GDM and preterm birth. However, our sample size was small, and future studies with larger populations are warranted.

Associations Between Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Risk and Folate Status in Early Pregnancy and MTHFR C677T Polymorphisms in Chinese Women.

PURPOSE: Red blood cell (RBC) folate indicates long-term folate intake, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is the main gene affecting folate status. Increasing evidence suggests an association between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and increased folate levels. Whether RBC folate concentrations in the first trimester of pregnancy or polymorphisms of MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) affect GDM risk in Chinese pregnant women remains unknown. Therefore, we analyzed the associations of RBC folate concentrations and rs1801133 polymorphisms with GDM risk among pregnant women in China. METHODS: A total of 366 women with a singleton pregnancy were followed prospectively from their first prenatal visit to delivery. RBC folate concentrations and rs1801133 polymorphisms were assessed during the first trimester of pregnancy. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the odds ratios (ORs) of GDM and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by using the RBC folate concentration quartiles and rs1801133 polymorphisms. RESULTS: Participants with the TT genotype had the highest RBC folate concentrations. Those with heterozygous or homozygous variants did not have a significantly higher risk of GDM than did women with C alleles. After adjustments for covariates, women in the highest quartile for RBC folate concentration had a higher risk of GDM (adjusted OR = 2.473, 95% CI = 1.013-6.037, P = 0.047) than did those in the lowest quartile, but this association was nonsignificant after adjustment for rs1801133 polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: Higher RBC folate, partly caused by MTHFR 677C→T, may be associated with increased GDM risk, even in early pregnancy. Assessing RBC folate status and appropriately supplementing folate during early pregnancy, particularly for patients with MTHFR 677C→T, may prevent GDM. Further studies with larger populations are warranted.

[Effect of different intensities of electroacupuncture stimulation on expression of SOCS-3 and PPAR-gamma mRNA in adipose tissues of obesity rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS-3) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma genes in the epididymis adipose tissue of obesity rats so as to explore its mechanism underlying weight reduction. METHODS: SD rats were randomized into normal control, obesity model, EA-5 mA and EA-1 mA groups (10 rats/group). EA stimulation (6 Hz/20 Hz, 5 mA or 1 mA) was delivered to the bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 15 min, once everyday for two weeks. The expression of SOCS-3 mRNA and PPAR-gamma mRNA in the epididymis adipose tissue was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the body weight and expression of SOCS-3 and PPAR-gamma mRNA in the model group were up-regulated obviously (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the body weight and expression of SOCS-3 and PPAR-gamma mRNA were significantly decreased in the EA group, with the effects of EA-5 mA being better than those of EA-1 mA. CONCLUSION: EA stimulation of ST 36-SP 6 can reduce body weight in rats with simple obesity, and the effect of higher intensity of EA is apparently better. Accordingly, EA intervention induces down-regulation of SOCS-3 and PPAR-gamma mRNA expression in the epididymis adipose tissue.

[Effect of different intensities of electroacupuncture on expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and TNF-alpha in adipose tissue in obesity rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of different intensities of electroacupuncture (EA) on adipose tissue inflammatory cytokines in rats with simple obesity so as to investigate its mechanism underlying body weight reduction. METHODS: Forty SD male rats were randomly divided into normal, model, strong EA and weak EA groups (n = 10/group). Obesity model was established by feeding the rats with high fat diet. EA (20 Hz, strong EA: 5 V, weak EA: 2. 5 V) was applied to "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 15 min, once everyday and for 14 days. Body weight and Lee's index (= body weight(1/3) x 10(3) / body length) were detected. The fasting blood glucose was detected by hexokinase method, serum triglyceride (TG) was detected by glycerol-phosphoric acid oxidase peroxydase (GPO-POD)method, total cholesterol (TC) was detected by cholesterol oxidase method, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-O) were measured by using one-step method, respectively. The expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MOP-1) mRNA and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA in the epididymis adipose tissue was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-POR). RESULTS: In comparison with the normal group, the body weight, Lee's index, blood lipid (TG, TC, LDL-C), fasting blood glucose levels, and expression of MOP-1 mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA were significantly higher in the model group (P < 0.01), and HDL-C was significantly lower (P < 0.01). After EA,compared with the model group, the body weight, Lee's index, TG, TC, LDL-C, fasting blood glucose levels, and expression of MCP-1 mRNA and TNF-a mRNA in both strong and weak EA groups were significantly decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and HDL-C was significantly increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The effects of strong EA group were obviously superior to those of weak EA group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No statistical significance was observed between the two EA groups in fasting blood glucose levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) has a beneficial weight-reduction effect on rats with simple obesity, and moreover, the effect of strong EA stimulation is evidently superior to weak EA stimulation.