Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women and it's prevalence is increasing worldwide. A total 100 cases of GDM and 100 healthy controls were included in a study and blood samples were collected in plain vials from all study participant. Difference among several variables which included BMI, glycemia, insulinaemia, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, urinary albumin were compared between GDM cases and controls and were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Additionally, GDM cases showed 4.0 fold increase in miRNA-19a and 4.7 mean increase in miRNA-19b expression compared to healthy control individuals. A positive correlation was observed between miRNA-19a and miRNA-19b among GDM cases. However the correlation coefficient was 0.13 between miRNA-19a and miRNA-19b. This suggested that with the increase in miRNA-19a, miRNA-19b also increased. The findings of this study concludes that an increase in microRNA-19a and microRNA-19b is observed in GDM cases and could be linked with increased risk factor for worsening of the disease. MicroRNA-19a and 19b have been linked to alcoholism and smoking and could also be the factors in GDM.

•To evaluate the efficacy of exenatide in Chinese women.•Exenatide is superior to metformin in weight loss, improving insulin resistance and reducing inflammation.•Exenatide is similar in improving hyperandrogenism as metformin.•EXE treatment is safe in PCOS women.

Objective: To analyze the concentrations of nesfatin-1 in maternal and cord serum, to evaluate the expression of nesfatin-1 in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Methods: We studied a total of 50 GDM and 50 NGT subjects. The clinical features, serum nesfatin-1, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profiles were measured at the third trimester of pregnancy. The expression of nesfatin-1 in the SAT was determined by western blot. Results: Compared with the NGT group, the GDM group showed greater levels of serum nesfatin-1, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (AFABP), and leptin; a greater level of cord blood nesfatin-1; and a higher level of expression in SAT (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Fasting insulin (FI) (b=0.317, p=0.022) and body mass index (BMI) before delivery (b=0.367, p=0.008) were independently associated with serum nesfatin-1. Nesfatin-1 was the independent risk factor for GDM. Conclusions: The GDM group had higher levels of maternal serum and cord blood nesfatin-1, and greater nesfatin-1 expression in SAT. Nesfatin-1 is closely related to obesity and IR in pregnancy.

Obesity and its related metabolic disorders are closely correlated with gut dysbiosis. Montmorillonite is a common medicine used to treat diarrhea. We have previously found that dietary lipid adsorbent-montmorillonite (DLA-M) has an unexpected role in preventing obesity. The aim of this study was to further investigate whether DLA-M regulates intestinal absorption and gut microbiota to prevent obesity-related metabolic disorders. Here, we show that DLA-M absorbs free fatty acids (FFA) and endotoxins in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the combination of fluorescent tracer technique and polarized light microscopy showed that DLA-M crystals immobilized BODIPY® FL C16 and FITC-LPS, respectively, in the digestive tract in situ. HFD-fed mice treated with DLA-M showed mild changes in the composition of the gut microbiota, particularly increases in short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)-producing Blautia bacteria and decreases in endotoxin-producing Desulfovibrio bacteria, these changes were positively correlated with obesity and inflammation. Our results indicated that DLA-M immobilizes FFA and endotoxins in the digestive tract via the adsorption-excretion axis and DLA-M may potentially be used as a prebiotic to prevent intestinal dysbiosis and obesity-associated metabolic disorders in obese individuals.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION:To observe the longitudinal changes in serum adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (AFABP), carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism parameters in women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during mid- and late pregnancy periods, as well as to identify whether there is any association between AFABP and development of GDM. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A total of 40 GDM and 240 normal glucose tolerance participants were enrolled at 24-28 weeks and completed the study. The clinical features, serum AFABP, other adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin, retinol-binding protein 4), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and lipid profiles were measured in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. RESULTS:Compared with the normal glucose tolerance group, the GDM group showed greater levels of AFABP, leptin and retinol-binding protein 4; and a decreased level of adiponectin (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) during mid- and late pregnancy periods. Prepregnancy body mass index was the independent factor impacting serum AFABP levels in the second (β = 0.567, P = 0.004) and third trimesters (β = 0.619, P = 0.001). Furthermore, GDM was independently associated with AFABP concentrations in multiple regression analysis in the second and third trimester (all P < 0.01). Serum AFABP, leptin and retinol-binding protein 4 are risk factors for GDM; adiponectin is a protective factor for GDM (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:The GDM group had a higher level of AFABP during mid- and late stages of pregnancy; prepregnancy body mass index and GDM were the independent factors with respect to serum AFABP. AFABP might be closely related to obesity, insulin resistance and leptin resistance in pregnancy, and is a major risk factor for GDM.