Circulating fatty acids and gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

IF 3.4 Q1 ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM

Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome-Clinical Research & Reviews Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-26 DOI:10.1016/j.dsx.2026.103398

Sara Shojaei-Zarghani , Zahra Naziri , Mohammadsadegh Nasr , Farnaz Rostamian , Zeinab Mokhtari , Asma Kazemi

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Abstract

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent pregnancy complication. Altered fatty acid (FA) metabolism may contribute to GDM development, yet evidence regarding specific circulating FAs remains inconclusive.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis compared circulating FA profiles between pregnant women with and without GDM and examined their associations with GDM risk.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for observational studies reported circulating FAs in relation to GDM risk. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses explored heterogeneity sources, and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale assessed risk of bias (RoB).

Results

Forty-four studies were included. Meta-analysis of ORs indicated that per one-SD increase, C16:0 was associated with higher GDM odds (OR: 1.20, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.38). Conversely, very-long-chain saturated FAs (C22:0 and C24:0), specific omega-6 FAs (C18:2, C20:2, and C22:4) were associated with lower odds. SMD analysis revealed significantly lower circulating levels of C22:0, C15:0, and C17:0 in women with GDM. Subgroup analyses identified FA form (e.g., free FAs vs. phospholipids) as a significant heterogeneity source for eight FAs, measurement unit (absolute concentration vs. relative percentage) for three FAs, while RoB, study design, and trimester were sources for limited specific FAs.

Conclusions

GDM is associated with distinct circulating FAs patterns. C16:0 is associated with higher odds of GDM, whereas linoleic acid, very-long-chain Saturated FAs, and selected omega-6 FAs were related to lower odds.

Prospero registration code

CRD42025649380.

查看原文本刊更多论文

循环脂肪酸和妊娠糖尿病：观察性研究的系统回顾和荟萃分析。

背景：妊娠期糖尿病（GDM）是一种常见的妊娠并发症。脂肪酸（FA）代谢的改变可能有助于GDM的发展，但关于特定循环FAs的证据仍不确定。目的：本系统综述和荟萃分析比较了妊娠期糖尿病和非妊娠期糖尿病孕妇的循环FA谱，并研究了它们与妊娠期糖尿病风险的关系。方法：我们检索了PubMed、Scopus和Web of Science中关于循环FAs与GDM风险相关的观察性研究。采用随机效应模型计算合并标准化平均差异（SMDs）和优势比（ORs）。亚组分析探讨异质性来源，纽卡斯尔-渥太华量表评估偏倚风险（RoB）。结果：纳入44项研究。OR的荟萃分析显示，每增加1 sd， C16:0与GDM的高几率相关（OR: 1.20, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.38）。相反，长链饱和脂肪酸（C22:0和C24:0），特定的omega-6脂肪酸（C18:2， C20:2和C22:4）的患病几率较低。SMD分析显示，GDM女性的C22:0、C15:0和C17:0的循环水平显著降低。亚组分析发现，脂肪酸形式（如游离脂肪酸与磷脂）是8种脂肪酸的显著异质性来源，测量单位（绝对浓度与相对百分比）是3种脂肪酸的显著异质性来源，而RoB、研究设计和妊娠是有限特异性脂肪酸的来源。结论：GDM与不同的循环FAs模式相关。C16:0与较高的GDM几率相关，而亚油酸、超长链饱和脂肪酸和选择性ω -6脂肪酸与较低的GDM几率相关。普洛斯彼罗注册码：CRD42025649380。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome-Clinical Research & Reviews ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM-

CiteScore

22.90

自引率

2.00%

发文量

248

审稿时长

51 days

期刊介绍： Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews is the official journal of DiabetesIndia. It aims to provide a global platform for healthcare professionals, diabetes educators, and other stakeholders to submit their research on diabetes care. Types of Publications: Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews publishes peer-reviewed original articles, reviews, short communications, case reports, letters to the Editor, and expert comments. Reviews and mini-reviews are particularly welcomed for areas within endocrinology undergoing rapid changes.