Abstract:
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disorder in pregnancy with
highest impact in the future life of both mother and newborn. Increasing incidence,
economic impact, and potential for severe GDM-related pregnancy complications
are some factors that have motivated the deep study of physiopathology, risk factors
for developing GDM, and potential biomarkers for its diagnosis. In the present pilot
study, we analyzed the urinary metabolome profile of GDM patients in the 3rd
trimester of pregnancy, when GDM is already established and the patients are under
dietary and pharmacological control. An untargeted metabolomics method based on
liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis was developed to identify
differentially expressed metabolites in the GDM group. We identified 14 metabolites
that are significantly upregulated in the urine of GDM patients, and, more importantly,
we identified those related with the steroid hormone biosynthesis and tryptophan
(TRP) metabolism pathways, which are associated with GDM pathophysiology.
Thus, these metabolites could be screened as potential prognostic biomarkers of
type two diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease and chronic renal failure in future
follow-up studies with GDM patients.