Gestational diabetes mellitus seems to be associatied with inflammation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with inflammation by comparing serum levels of human chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR). This case control study included 29 pregnant women with GDM and 29 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance matched for age (±2 years) and pre-pregnancy body mass index (±2 kg/m2). The YKL-40/CHI3L1 levels were measured, and NLR and PLR investigated. There were no statistically significant differences in maternal age, gestational age, gravidity and parity. Higher YKL-40 levels were recorded in pregnant women with GDM compared to control subjects (203 (65-300) ng/mL vs. 159.2 (14-290) ng/mL, p=0.007). NLR and PLR were significantly higher in GDM compared with control group. In conclusion, GDM is associated with high levels of YKL-40, NLR and PLR, which indicate inflammatory status.

Keywords

• CHI3L1 protein, human
• Diabetes, gestational
• Leukocyte count
• Neutrophils – cytology
• Lymphocytes – cytology
• Blood platelets – cytology