Overview and expression of GLUT in gestational diabetes mellitus: A literature review.

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an endocrine-metabolic disorder that develops during pregnancy. Glucose transporters (GLUTs), which facilitate the transport of glucose across the plasma membrane (facilitated diffusion) play a key role in the progression of this disease.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the general characteristics and expression of GLUTs in GDM.

Methods: This systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was performed without language restrictions using the PubMed, Web of Science, Redalyc, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and Scopus databases between 2010 and 2023 using the keywords GLUT, Gestational diabetes mellitus, GDM and GLUT, Glucose metabolism and GLUT, Glucose receptors to identify most human studies, as the majorityof studies use murine models, focusing on a positive diagnosis of GDM.

Results: A total of 36 articles were included in this review. Of the 36 articles, 21 described the general characteristics of GLUTs, and 15 were scientific reports (12 in humans and 3 in animals). The studies showed that interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, and leptin correlated negatively with the expression of GLUT1 in patients with GDM. The three murine studies showed that hyperglycemia was associated with decreased GLUT2 expression.

Conclusions: Evidence of GLUT expression at the gestational stage provides a better understanding of fetal life conditions and how they contribute to the development of GDM. Therefore, analyzing GLUT expression serves as a preventive measure.