Evaluation of miRNA Expression in Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Investigating Diagnostic Potential and Clinical Implications

Abstract

Mateusz Kunysz,1 Marek Cieśla,2 Dorota Darmochwał-Kolarz1 1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, 35-959, Poland; 2College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, 35-959, PolandCorrespondence: Mateusz Kunysz, Email [email protected]: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is common pregnancy complication (8%), characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from pathological homeostatic mechanisms. There’s a concerning trend of increasing GDM prevalence. New markers, particularly epigenetic ones, are sought for early detection and enhanced care. miRNA are small non-coding RNA molecules. The main goal was to investigate the potential role of miRNA (miR-16-5p, miR-222-3p, miR-21-5p) in GDM and their association with clinical features.Patients and Methods: The study included 72 pregnant patients, with 42 having GDM and 30 in the control group. miRNA expression was measured using ELISA.Results: There were no significant differences in miR-222-3p expression between GDM patients and the control group. The GDM group exhibited a positive correlation between miR-16-5p expression and miR-21-5p expression as well as between miR-16-5p expression and insulin resistance. In the GDM group, a positive correlation was observed between miR-21-5p expression and fasting glucose levels.Conclusion: Results do not confirm the role of miR-222-3p in GDM pathogenesis or as a diagnostic marker. Additionally, a role for miR-16-5p in GDM pathogenesis was observed. Furthermore, a potential role for miR-21-5p in monitoring GDM treatment is indicated.Keywords: gestational diabetes mellitus, miRNA, epigenetics, miR-16-5p, miR-222-3p, miR-21-5p

Keywords

• gestational diabetes mellitus
• mirna
• epigenetics
• mir-16-5p
• mir-222-3p
• mir-21-5p