Epigenetic Links between Microbiota and Gestational Diabetes.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is considered a significant and increasing worldwide problem. The growing body of evidence on this topic has allowed us to point out that a hostile intrauterine environment in mothers with GDM via epigenetic mechanisms induces "diabetogenic" and "obesogenic" changes in an offspring's DNA. This sets a vicious intergenerational cycle of metabolic diseases in motion, gradually deteriorating the health of the human population. One of the most important participants of this process seems to be altered microbiota. There is a chance that the identification of specific epigenetic marks may provide a key for future diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic solutions in the field of personalised medicine. Given the reversibility of most epigenetic changes, there is an opportunity to improve the long-term health of the human population. In this manuscript, we aim to summarise available data on epigenetic changes among women suffering from GDM and their progeny, in association with alterations in the microbiome.

Epigenetic Modifications Associated with Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains a significant clinical and public health issue due to its increasing prevalence and the possibility for numerous short- and long-term complications. The growing incidence of GDM seems to coincide with the widespread use of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The extensive production and common use of these substances in everyday life has resulted in constant exposure to harmful substances from the environment. That may result in epigenetic changes, which may manifest themselves also after many years and be passed on to future generations. It is important to consider the possible link between environmental exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy, epigenetic mechanisms and an increased risk for developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This manuscript attempts to summarize data on epigenetic changes in pregnant women suffering from gestational diabetes in association with EDCs. There is a chance that epigenetic marks may serve as a tool for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic measures.

[Serum resistin concentrations in cases of gestational diabetes mellitus with good glycemic control and in cord blood]. / Stezenie rezystyny w surowicy ciezarnych z wyrównana cukrzyca ciazowa i w krwi pepowinowej.

AIM: Resistin is believed to play a certain role in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of the study was to assess resistin concentrations in women with diet-treated GDM and good glycemic control, in healthy pregnant women and in cord blood, depending on the advancement of the pregnancy, maternal body mass index (BMI) and index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), as well as on somatic features of the newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 20 women with GDM whereas 20 healthy women constituting the control group. They were examined twice: at 23-32 weeks and at 35-37 weeks of gestation. Serum resistin concentration was assessed using RIA method. RESULTS: In the control group, maternal resistin concentration was higher (p<0.03) after the second examination than the first one. In the GDM group, maternal resistin concentration was similar to that in the control group in both examinations. No correlations were found either between maternal resistin and insulin concentrations or between maternal resistin concentration and BMI or HOMA-IR. No correlations were found between maternal resistin concentration or cord blood resistin concentration and somatic features of newborns, either. In both groups, resistin concentration in cord blood was higher than in maternal blood during both examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that maternal resistin concentration increases as pregnancy advances. In women with diet-treated GDM and good glycemic control resistin concentration is similar to that observed in healthy pregnant women. No relationship was found between resistin concentration in cord blood and somatic features of the newborns.

[Characteristics of threats to pregnancy and labour in women over 39 y.o. in material of the District Hospital no. 2 in Rzeszów]. / Charakterystyka zagrozen ciazy i porodu u kobiet po 39 roku 2ycia, w materiale Szpitala Wojewódzkiego Nr 2 w rzeszowie.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of obstetric results in women giving birth in age over 39 and those of younger women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 12 575 labours in the Department of Obstetrics of the District Hospital no. 2 in Rzeszów. Demographic and obstetric data, pregnancy complications, labour method, indications for caesarean section and obstetric results (pregnancy duration, mortality of mothers, perinatal mortality, birth weight, general status of neonates, necessity for neonate treatment in ICU) were compared to three reference groups: of women below 25 y.o., between 25 and 34 y.o., and between 35 and 39 y.o. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) was shown between the study group and reference groups in scope of: pregnancy duration, frequency of pregnancy complications and frequency of birth by caesarean section. Differences concerning the other analysed parameters were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that mother's age over 39 y.o. is connected with shorter pregnancy duration, more frequent occurrence of pregnancy complications and more frequent birth by caesarean section.

[The role of insulin resistance and resistin in pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus with special attention to diabetes in pregnancy]. / Rola insulinoopornosci i rezystyny w etiopatogenezie cukrzycy, ze szczególnym uwzglednieniem cukrzycy ciazowej.

During pregnancy, energy metabolism is altered to meet the increased energy demand by the rapidly growing fetus. Postprandial hyperglycemia is usually observed in gestation due to the decreased insulin sensitivity. The placenta derived hormones are partially responsible for the insulin resistance. The mechanism of this event in still unclear. The results of experimental studies suggest that resistin, a novel adipose derived hormone, is the factor which causes insulin resistance in animals. The recent data shows that resistin is also synthesized in human placenta. Hence, it is assumed that by modulation of cells sensitivity to insulin, resistin may contribute to development of diabetes during pregnancy.