Ginkgolide B alleviates placental inflammation and ferroptosis in gestational diabetes through inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome and activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) occurs in pregnant women of advanced maternal age and is characterized by dysregulated elevation of blood glucose levels. Ginkgolide B (GB) is extracted from Ginkgo biloba leaves and possesses anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant effects. This study aimed to assess the function of GB in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and explore the underlying mechanisms.
Methods
Pregnant C57BL/KsJ-db/+ mice were assigned to the untreated GDM group or treated orally with GB at 100 or 200 mg/kg. Glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin levels, and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated. Placental inflammation, oxidative stress, ferroptosis-related proteins, NLRP3 inflammasome components, and proteins involved in the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway were assessed using ELISA, histological staining, immunofluorescence, biochemical assays, and Western blotting.
Results
Compared with the Control mice, GDM mice exhibited impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, elevated fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin levels, increased placental inflammation and oxidative stress, enhanced ferroptosis, and reduced litter size. GB treatment significantly improved these metabolic and pregnancy-related abnormalities, attenuated inflammatory cytokine production and placental injury, reduced reactive oxygen species accumulation and lipid peroxidation, and restored GPX4 and SLC7A11 expressions. In addition, GB inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, while restoring the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 in placental tissues.
Discussion
This study showed the beneficial effects of GB in GDM, suggesting potential therapeutic approaches for preventing the progression of GDM management.
期刊介绍:
Placenta publishes high-quality original articles and invited topical reviews on all aspects of human and animal placentation, and the interactions between the mother, the placenta and fetal development. Topics covered include evolution, development, genetics and epigenetics, stem cells, metabolism, transport, immunology, pathology, pharmacology, cell and molecular biology, and developmental programming. The Editors welcome studies on implantation and the endometrium, comparative placentation, the uterine and umbilical circulations, the relationship between fetal and placental development, clinical aspects of altered placental development or function, the placental membranes, the influence of paternal factors on placental development or function, and the assessment of biomarkers of placental disorders.