Trace elements and cell-mediated immunity in gestational and pre-gestational diabetes mellitus at third trimester of pregnancy

Abstract

Objective. The aim of the study: To evaluate the correlations between Zn2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Se2+ and Cr3+ and alteration in T cell subsets during diabetic and normal pregnancy. Methods. The study involved 63 women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GD) and 16 pregnant women with Type 2 diabetes and 48 healthy, non-pregnant women were included as controls. Ten ml of whole venous blood from each participant was analyzed for electrolytes by atomic absorption; total antioxidant activity, individual enzymatic antioxidants by spectrophotometry; and lymphocyte sub-populations by flow cytometry. Results. There were significant changes in lymphocyte sub-populations: Naïve T cells were decreased and memory T-cells and activated T cells (CD4+HLA-DR+, CD4+CD29+) were increased in diabetes in pregnancy. Zn2+ and Cr3+ deficiency were observed in Type 2 diabetics with an increase in Cu2+ in all pregnant cohorts. In healthy pregnant subjects, CD4+-HLA-DR+ was increased in direct proportion to serum Mg2+ (p<0.05) and Se2+ (p<0.01). In insulin-treated GD patients, CD4+CD29+ cells were increased proportionally to serum Zn2+ (p<0.05) while in diet controlled GD cohort CD45RO+/ CD45RA+ T cells correlated directly with serum Mg (p<0.05) and Zn2+ (p<0.01) while it correlated inversely with serum Cu2+ (p<0.01). Conclusions. The results of the present study show a correlation between trace element deficiency and increased lipid peroxidation in diabetes in pregnancy and lymphocyte activation. Dietary manipulation may, therefore, point to improvement in existing approaches to management of diabetes mellitus in pregnancy.

In vitro effects of oil's fatty acids on T cell function in gestational diabetic pregnant women and their newborns 油类脂肪酸在体外对妊娠期糖尿病孕妇及其新生儿的T细胞功能的影响

“…While IL‐4 production by T cells after mitogen stimulation was normal, IL‐2 production was reduced in diabetic mothers and in their newborns. These findings were in agreement with previous reports showing that gestational diabetes induced depressed lymphocyte proliferation and IL‐2 secretion compared to normal pregnancy . Modulation of T cell function in the presence of insulin was in agreement with our previous findings …”

“…Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in diabetic pregnant women were not statistically significantly different compared to those seen in normal pregnant women . Previous studies reported a decrease in naïve T cells in diabetic pregnancy . Newborns of diabetic mothers have a reduction in NK lymphocytes than control values …”

Unveiling the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes: Studies on local and peripheral immune cells

“…T lymphocyte and its subpopulations are the most investigated cells in GDM due to its recognized role in maternal immune response. Five studies reported the percentage of total circulating TCD3 + TCD4 + , and two of them analysed the frequency of total TCD8 + as well . Friebe‐Hoffman et al found a lower frequency of TCD4 + in GDM patients compared to controls, while the others did not …”

“…These parameters have been used to assess several Treg subpopulations in PB, making it difficult to compare the results of different studies. Currently, there are four papers addressing this topic, but each one has used a specific marker to characterize the Treg subset . Mahmoud et al showed increased levels of CD4 + CD25 + in GDM patients compared to controls.…”

“…Unbalanced number and/or function of NK cells have been associated with different obstetric disorders. However, there were only three papers describing this population in GDM patients . One of them assessed only total circulating NK and found no difference between the groups .…”