Gestational Diabetes Mellitus – The Impact оf Maternal Body Mass Index аnd Glycaemic Control оn Baby’s Birth Weight

Abstract: Objectives. To asses the influence of the maternal BMI and glycaemic control in women with GDM on the baby's birth weight (BW). Material and methods: We analysed 180 women with GDM. Macrosomia has been defined as BW > 4000 gm, small for gestational age < 2700 gm and appropriate for gestational age between both. According to the baby´s BW the pregnant women were divided into three groups: group 1 (G1) with BW < 2700 gm (n = 26); group 2 (G2) with BW between 2700 to 4000 gm (n = 117), and group 3 (G3) with BW > 4000 gm (n = 37). We also analysed BMI (kg/m²), HbA1c (%), PPG (mmol/L) and time of delivery (WG). Results: Comparisons between G1 and G2 showed: BMI (30.7 ± 5 & 31 ± 5.2; p < 0.7), HbA1c (6.4 ± 0.8 & 5.1 ± 0.8, p < 0.002), PPG (8.2 ± 1.7 & 6.9 ± 1.5, p < 0.02), time of delivery (35.2 ± 3.8 & 38.6 ± 1.5, p < 0.0001) and BW (2289 ± 504 & 3474 ± 334, p < 0.0001). Comparisons between G2 and G3 showed: BMI (31 ± 5. 2 & 33.4 ± 6.1; p < 0.02), HbA1c (5.2 ± 1.1 & 6.4 ± 2.3, p < 0.02), PPG (6.9 ± 1.5 & 8.2 ± 1.9, p < 0.02), time of delivery (38.6 ± 1.5 & 39.3 ± 1.4, p < 0.01) and BW (3474 ± 334 & 4431 ± 302, p < 0.0001). Comparisons between G1 and G3 showed the difference at delivery time and the baby's BW (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Maternal obesity and PPG contribute to macrosomia and also PPG to SGE. Key words: gestational diabetes, large for gestational age, small for gestational age, birth weight, postprandial glycaemia

Biosynthesis of the Sphingolipid Inhibitors Sphingofungins in Filamentous Fungi Requires Aminomalonate as a Metabolic Precursor

Bissell AU, Rautschek J, Hoefgen S, et al. Biosynthesis of the Sphingolipid Inhibitors Sphingofungins in Filamentous Fungi Requires Aminomalonate as a Metabolic Precursor. ACS Chemical Biology. 2022;17(2):386-394.Sphingofungins belong to a group of structurally related sphingolipid inhibitors produced by fungi, which specifically inhibit serine palmitoyl transferases, enzymes catalyzing the initial step during sphingolipid biosynthesis. Sphingolipids are integral parts of the eukaryotic cell membrane, and disturbances in their homeostasis have been linked to various human diseases. It has been suggested that external interventions, via sphingolipid inhibitors, may represent a promising approach for alternative therapies. Here, we identified and elucidated the biosynthetic gene cluster responsible for the biosynthesis of sphingofungins B, C, and D in Aspergillus fumigatus. Moreover, in vitro analyses have shown that sphingofungin biosynthesis starts with the condensation of a C18 polyketide with the uncommon substrate aminomalonate. Furthermore, the investigations on sphingofungin E and F produced by Paecilomyces variotii pointed out that different aminomalonate derivatives are used as substrates for those chemical variants. This research boosts knowledge on the general biosynthesis of sphingolipid inhibitors in fungi