Effects of gestational diabetes on diurnal profiles of plasma glucose, lipids, and individual amino acids

• Published in: Diabetes care Vol. 3; no. 3; pp. 402 - 409
• Main Authors: Metzger, Boyd E, Phelps, Richard L, Freinkel, Norbert, Navickas, Irene A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.1980
• Subjects: Adult; Amino Acids - blood; Blood Glucose - analysis; Cholesterol - blood; Circadian Rhythm; Fasting; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified - blood; Female; Humans; Lipids - blood; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Diabetics - blood; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Triglycerides - blood
• ISSN: 0149-5992; 1935-5548
• DOI: 10.2337/diacare.3.3.402

The effects of gestational diabetes mellitus on metabolism of fuels were analyzed in 3 groups of women for 24 hours during late pregnancy. Group A (8 subjects) had normal metabolism; Group B (7) had fasting plasma glucose less than 105 mg/dl and Group C (6) 105 mg/dl. Blood samples were analyzed for glucose levels, triglycerides, cholesterol, and specific amino acids. Plasma glucose levels and triglycerides were consistently higher for Group B and highest for Group C at all times. Cholesterol levels did not fluctuate. Amino acids showed differences; while most were not affected by gestational diabetes, some (the branched chain--leucine, isoleucine and valine) were elevated in Group 2 and markedly so in Group 3. The progressive nature of the metabolic disturbances seems to indicate that relative insulin limitations are responsible rather than obesity. The results indicate that gestational diabetes is a disorder of all insulin-dependent fuels, not just carbohydrates, and it affects all components of the "incubation medium" during pregnancy