Effect of gestational diabetes mellitus on newborn cholesterol metabolism. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miettinen, Helena E.; Rönö, Kristiina; Koivusalo, Saila B.; Eriksson, Johan G.; Gylling, Helena
• Is Part Of: Atherosclerosis. Volume 275(2018)
• Page Start: 346
• Page End: 351
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Pregnancy -- Phytosterol -- Cholesterol metabolism -- Maternal-fetal cholesterol transport -- Lipoprotein -- Gestational diabetes mellitus; GDM gestational diabetes mellitus -- OGTT oral glucose tolerance test; Arteriosclerosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.136
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2018.06.879
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9150

Abstract

Abstract: Background and aims: Impaired glucose metabolism during pregnancy may associate with changes in fetal cholesterol metabolism. We investigated if gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects newborn cholesterol metabolism as determined by cord blood squalene and non-cholesterol sterols. Furthermore, we examined potential correlations between cord blood and maternal serum non-cholesterol sterols. Methods: Pregnant women at risk for GDM (BMI>30 kg/m 2 ) were enrolled from maternity clinics in Finland. GDM was determined from the results of an oral glucose tolerance test. Serum samples were taken in the third trimester of pregnancy, and cord blood samples collected from their newborns at birth. Squalene and non-cholesterol sterols were analyzed from serum and cord blood by gas liquid chromatography. All women with GDM were in good glycaemic control. Results: The ratios of squalene and non-cholesterol sterols to cholesterol (100 × μmol/mmol of cholesterol) in cord blood did not differ between the infants born to mothers with GDM (n = 15) or mothers with normal glucose tolerance (n = 13). The ratios of sitosterol and campesterol to cholesterol in the cord blood correlated with the corresponding maternal serum ratios (r = 0.70, p < 0.0001) in both groups. Conclusions: In obese women under good glycaemic control, GDM did not affect newborn cholesterol metabolism. Cord blood sitosterol and campesterol ratios to cholesterol correlated with the corresponding maternal serum ratios thus potentially reflecting maternal-fetal cholesterol transport. Highlights: In obese women, GDM did not affect newborn cholesterol metabolism. Cord blood plant sterols correlated with the corresponding maternal sterols. Cord blood plant sterols might reflect maternal-fetal cholesterol transport.