M Franzago1,2, P Lanuti1,2, F Fraticelli1,2, M Marchioni3, D Buca4, M Di Nicola3, M Liberati1, S Miscia1,2, L Stuppia2,5, E Vitacolonna6,7. 1. Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy. 2. Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy. 3. Laboratory of Biostatistics, Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SS. Annunziata Hospital, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy. 5. Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy. 6. Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy. e.vitacolonna@unich.it. 7. Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy. e.vitacolonna@unich.it.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder in pregnancy, with increasing prevalence worldwide and still unclear pathogenic mechanisms. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as potential biomarkers of disease-specific pathways in metabolic disorders, but their potential role in GDM is not fully understood. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the link between EVs and hyperglycaemia during pregnancy. METHODS: We assessed 50 GDM women and 50 controls at the third trimester of pregnancy in whom we collected demographic characteristics and clinical and anthropometric parameters. In addition, the circulating total EVs (tEVs) and their subpopulations were assessed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The levels of tEVs and EVs subtypes, expressed as median and interquartile range, were not significantly different between two groups; however, adipocyte-derived EVs (aEVs) concentration, expressed as percentage, was higher in controls than in GDM women (p = 0.045). In addition, a significant correlation was observed between aEVs (%) and third trimester total cholesterol (p = 0.022) within the GDM group. Furthermore, a significant correlation between endothelial-derived EVs (eEVs) and platelet-derived EVs (pEVs) within both groups was found, as well as a significant relation between aEVs and pEVs. CONCLUSIONS: These data, although preliminary, represent the starting point for further studies to determine the role of circulating EVs in GDM.
PURPOSE: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder in pregnancy, with increasing prevalence worldwide and still unclear pathogenic mechanisms. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as potential biomarkers of disease-specific pathways in metabolic disorders, but their potential role in GDM is not fully understood. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the link between EVs and hyperglycaemia during pregnancy. METHODS: We assessed 50 GDM women and 50 controls at the third trimester of pregnancy in whom we collected demographic characteristics and clinical and anthropometric parameters. In addition, the circulating total EVs (tEVs) and their subpopulations were assessed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The levels of tEVs and EVs subtypes, expressed as median and interquartile range, were not significantly different between two groups; however, adipocyte-derived EVs (aEVs) concentration, expressed as percentage, was higher in controls than in GDM women (p = 0.045). In addition, a significant correlation was observed between aEVs (%) and third trimester total cholesterol (p = 0.022) within the GDM group. Furthermore, a significant correlation between endothelial-derived EVs (eEVs) and platelet-derived EVs (pEVs) within both groups was found, as well as a significant relation between aEVs and pEVs. CONCLUSIONS: These data, although preliminary, represent the starting point for further studies to determine the role of circulating EVs in GDM.
Authors: Alessandro Lucidi; Danilo Buca; Carlo Ronsini; Sara Tinari; Giuseppina Bologna; Davide Buca; Martina Leombroni; Marco Liberati; Francesco D'Antonio; Giovanni Scambia; Paola Lanuti; Marco Petrillo Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2020-11-19 Impact factor: 5.923