Oxidative stress in gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common medical complication during pregnancy. This condition is caused by placental hormones, especially human placental lactogen (HPL), estrogen and progesterone, which can impair insulin intolerance and carbohydrate metabolism. The activities of these hormones lead to hyperglycemia in pregnancy. In GDM patients, the oxidative stress level increases in maternal plasma and placental tissues, but in neonatal plasma, the issue is controversial. Conversely, the level of antioxidants decreases in maternal blood and placental tissue. Therefore the reduction in antioxidant level may lead to oxidative stress increase and poor pregnancy outcomes. The role of antioxidant supplementation (dietary or vitamin) in decreasing oxidative stress level is not clear but it can increase antioxidant levels in GDM patients. However, the effect of oxidative stress on pregnancy outcomes need to be further investigated in future studies.