Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.1
4.9
Journals
IJMS
Special Issues
Molecular Insight into Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
ijms-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Molecular Insight into Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 4852

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marcin Trojnar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chair and Department of Internal Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
Interests: gestational diabetes mellitus; insulin resistance; type 2 diabetes mellitus; metabolic syndrome; aortic stiffness; circulating endothelial microparticles; excessive gestational weight gain
Dr. Zaneta Kimber-Trojnar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
Interests: gestational diabetes mellitus; fetal growth restriction; preeclampsia biomarkers; preterm delivery; fetal programming; excessive gestational weight gain; metabolic syndrome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most frequent conditions complicating pregnancies, and its prevalence still seems to be on the rise. It is associated with numerous consequences, such as fetal macrosomia, preeclampsia, shoulder dystocia, and preterm delivery. Moreover, women who have a history of GDM, as well as their offspring, are predisposed to develop metabolic complications in the future, i.e., type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.

The pathogenesis of GDM is not precisely known; however, it is believed that pancreatic β-cell dysfunction along with impairment of insulin secretion and function play major roles in it. The resistance of tissues and cells to insulin stimulates β-cells to enhance insulin production and, eventually, damage their function. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory processes may also contribute to the development of GDM but require further clarification.

We encourage researchers to send original articles and reviews investigating the molecular processes involved in the development of GDM. We believe your discoveries will enrich this Special Issue with a fresh outlook on molecular mechanisms in GDM and facilitate its early detection and effective management.

Dr. Marcin Trojnar
Dr. Zaneta Kimber-Trojnar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • gestational diabetes mellitus
  • biomarkers
  • maternal risk factors
  • fetal programming
  • maternal programming
  • insulin resistance
  • endothelial dysfunction
  • inflammation
  • oxidative stress
  • placental growth factors

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 1351 KiB  
Article
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus-Induced Inflammation in the Placenta via IL-1β and Toll-like Receptor Pathways
by Katarzyna Zgutka, Marta Tkacz, Patrycja Tomasiak, Katarzyna Piotrowska, Przemysław Ustianowski, Andrzej Pawlik and Maciej Tarnowski
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11409; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111409 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 659
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus is characterised by an insufficient insulin response to hyperglycaemia and the development of insulin resistance. This state has adverse effects on the health outcomes of the mother and child. Existing hyperglycaemia triggers a state of inflammation that involves several tissues, [...] Read more.
Gestational diabetes mellitus is characterised by an insufficient insulin response to hyperglycaemia and the development of insulin resistance. This state has adverse effects on the health outcomes of the mother and child. Existing hyperglycaemia triggers a state of inflammation that involves several tissues, including the placenta. In this study, we analysed the putative pathomechanism of GDM, with special emphasis on the role of chronic, sterile, pro-inflammatory pathways. The expression and regulation of the elements of IL-1β and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways in GDM maternal blood plasma, healthy placental explants and a choriocarcinoma cell line (BeWo cell line) stimulated with pro-inflammatory factors was evaluated. Our results indicate elevated expression of the IL-1β and TLR pathways in GDM patients. After stimulation with IL-1β or LPS, the placental explants and BeWo cell line showed increased production of pro-inflammatory IL-6, TNFa and IL-1β together with increased expression of the elements of the signalling pathways. The application of selected inhibitors of NF-ĸB, MAPK and recombinant interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RA) proved the key involvement of the IL-1β pathway and TLRs in the pathogenesis of GDM. Our results show the possible existence of loops of autocrine stimulation and a possible inflammatory pathomechanism in placentas affected by GDM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insight into Gestational Diabetes Mellitus)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1083 KiB  
Article
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Colostral Appetite-Regulating Adipokines
by Jolanta Lis-Kuberka, Marta Berghausen-Mazur and Magdalena Orczyk-Pawiłowicz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3853; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073853 - 29 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1240
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complex metabolic disorder that has short- and long-term effects on maternal and offspring health. This study aimed to assess the impact of maternal hyperglycemia severity, classified as GDM-G1 (diet treatment) and GDM-G2 (insulin treatment) on colostral appetite-regulating [...] Read more.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complex metabolic disorder that has short- and long-term effects on maternal and offspring health. This study aimed to assess the impact of maternal hyperglycemia severity, classified as GDM-G1 (diet treatment) and GDM-G2 (insulin treatment) on colostral appetite-regulating molecules. Colostrum samples were collected from hyperglycemic (N = 30) and normoglycemic (N = 21) mothers, and the concentrations of milk hormones were determined by immunoenzymatic assay. A difference was found for milk ghrelin, but not for molecules such as adiponectin, leptin, resistin, or IGF-I levels, in relation to maternal hyperglycemia. The colostral ghrelin in the GDM-G1 cohort (0.21 ng/mL) was significantly lower than for GDM-G2 (0.38 ng/mL) and non-GDM groups (0.36 ng/mL). However, colostral resistin was higher, but not significantly, for GDM-G1 (13.33 ng/mL) and GDM-G2 (12.81 ng/mL) cohorts than for normoglycemic mothers (7.89 ng/mL). The lack of difference in relation to hyperglycemia for milk leptin, adiponectin, leptin–adiponectin ratio, resistin, and IGF-I levels might be the outcome of effective treatment of GDM during pregnancy. The shift between ghrelin and other appetite-regulating hormones might translate into altered ability to regulate energy balance, affecting offspring’s metabolic homeostasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insight into Gestational Diabetes Mellitus)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1346 KiB  
Article
Association of DPP-4 Concentrations with the Occurrence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Excessive Gestational Weight Gain
by Magdalena Niebrzydowska-Tatus, Aleksandra Pełech, Katarzyna Bień, Julia Mekler, Miracle Santiago, Żaneta Kimber-Trojnar and Marcin Trojnar
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(3), 1829; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25031829 - 2 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1450
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is considered one of the most common diseases that occur during pregnancy. In addition to increasing the risk of numerous complications throughout gestation, it is also believed to have a long-term potential to impact the risk of developing type [...] Read more.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is considered one of the most common diseases that occur during pregnancy. In addition to increasing the risk of numerous complications throughout gestation, it is also believed to have a long-term potential to impact the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease for the mother and her offspring. While there are clear guidelines for healthy weight gain in pregnancy depending on pre-pregnancy BMI, as well as dietary and training recommendations to achieve this, an increasing number of women are experiencing excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG). Such patients have a higher risk of developing GDM and gestational hypertension, as well as requiring caesarian delivery. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is a glycoprotein that seems to play an important role in glucose metabolism, and inhibition of its activity positively affects glucose regulation. The aim of our study was to compare DPP-4 concentrations in patients with GDM and EGWG with healthy women. DPP-4 levels were assessed in serum and urine samples collected on the day of delivery. The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method was also used to analyze the body composition of patients on the second day of the postpartum period. DPP-4 serum concentrations were significantly higher in patients in the GDM and EGWG groups compared to healthy women. Urinary DPP-4 concentrations were significantly higher in the control and GDM groups than in the EGWG group. Serum DPP-4 levels were positively correlated with BMI measured before pregnancy, on the delivery day, and in the early postpartum period, among other factors. According to our knowledge, this is the first study to determine DPP-4 levels in EGWG patients. DPP-4 may be related to the occurrence of GDM and EGWG; however, this requires further research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insight into Gestational Diabetes Mellitus)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

19 pages, 887 KiB  
Review
Predictive Utility of Biochemical Markers for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
by Sathaphone Inthavong, Phudit Jatavan and Theera Tongsong
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11666; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111666 - 30 Oct 2024
Viewed by 819
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication during pregnancy with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Early prediction of GDM and its associated adverse outcomes is crucial for timely intervention and improved maternal and fetal health. The objective of this review is to provide [...] Read more.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication during pregnancy with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Early prediction of GDM and its associated adverse outcomes is crucial for timely intervention and improved maternal and fetal health. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of contemporary evidence on biomarkers, focusing on their potential to predict the development of GDM and serve as predictors of maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes in women with GDM. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed database using relevant terms. Original research articles published in English between 1 January 2015, and 30 June 2024, were included. A two-stage screening process was employed to identify studies on biomarkers for GDM diagnosis and prognosis and to evaluate the evidence for each biomarker’s diagnostic performance and its potential prognostic correlation with GDM. Various biochemical markers, including adipokines, inflammatory markers, insulin resistance markers, glycemic markers, lipid profile markers, placenta-derived markers, and other related markers, have shown promise in identifying women at risk of developing GDM and predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes. Several promising markers with high predictive performance were identified. However, no single biomarker has demonstrated sufficient accuracy to replace the current diagnostic criteria for GDM. The complexity of multiple pathways in GDM pathogenesis highlights the need for a multi-marker approach to improve risk stratification and guide personalized management strategies. While significant progress has been made in GDM biomarker research, further studies are required to refine and validate these markers for clinical use and to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to GDM prediction and management that can improve maternal and child health outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insight into Gestational Diabetes Mellitus)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop