Evaluation of serum placenta-specific gene 8 protein, total antioxidant capacity, interleukin-10, interleukin-17A, interleukin-21 and interleukin-33 levels in Turkish women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Purpose

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as carbohydrate intolerance that begins or is diagnosed during pregnancy. Our study aimed to establish a correlation between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory response in order to be able to develop treatment strategies and determine early diagnosis biomarkers in the sera of cases diagnosed with GDM. Moreover, we aimed to investigate interleukin (IL), placenta-specific gene 8 protein (PLAC8) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in patients with GDM.

Methods

A total of 121 patients were included in the study. These were divided into four patient groups: pregnant and diagnosed with DM (P-GDM, n = 30); pregnant and not diagnosed with DM (P-NGDM, n = 32); non-pregnant diagnosed with DM (NP-DM, n = 29) and non-pregnant and not diagnosed with DM (NPNDM, n = 30). IL-10, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-33, PLAC8 and TAC determinations from patients were evaluated by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) method.

Results

IL-10 and IL-33 concentrations were found to be significantly higher in P-GDM and NP-DM patient groups compared to P-NGDM and NP-NDM groups (p < 0.001). The PLAC8 level in the P-GDM patient group (20.38 ± 5.37) was determined to be significantly higher than in the P-NGDM patient group (3.41 ± 2.17, p < 0.001). TAC in the P-NGDM and NP-NDM groups (12.42 ± 2.31 vs. 12.96 ± 3.78, p < 0.001) was determined to be significantly higher than in the P-GDM and NP-DM groups (4.8 ± 0.52 vs. 2.21 ± 0.71, p < 0.001).

Discussion

The fact that the importance of PLAC8 level and TAC in the diagnosis and follow-up of GDM in pregnancy is demonstrated for the first time in this study shows that it is unique.