The influence of IGF-1 on fetal growth during pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is an important part of IGF system. The structure and function of IGF-1 are similar to that of insulin. Thus, IGF-1 may participate both in the gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pathogenesis and the development of some complications. IGF-1, as one of the most important growth factors “in utero”, may influence the intrauterine growth leading to fetal macrosomia. The aim of the study was to present the structure and function of IGF-1 in terms of carbohydrate metabolism disturbances and to determine the role of IGF-1 on fetal growth during pregnancy complicated by GDM. Fetal growth is an extremely complex process and depends on many factors, including IGF-1 concentration

MalnutritiOn assessment with biOelectrical impedaNce analysis in gastRic cancer patIentS undergoing multimodaltrEatment (MOONRISE)—Study protocol for a single-arm multicenter cross-sectional longitudinal study

European data suggests that over 30% of gastric cancer (GC) patients are diagnosed with sarcopenia before surgery, while unintentional weight loss occurs in approximately 30% of patients following gastrectomy. Preoperative sarcopenia significantly increases the risk of major postoperative complications, and preoperative body weight loss remains a superior predictor of outcome and an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) in patients with GC. A standardized approach of nutritional risk screening of GC patients is yet to be established. Therefore, the MOONRISE study aims to prospectively analyze the changes in nutritional status and body composition at each stage of multimodal treatment among GC patients from five Western expert centers. Specifically, we seek to assess the association between nutritional status and body composition on tumor response following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Secondary outcomes of the study are treatment toxicity, postoperative complications, quality of life (QoL), and OS. Patients with locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma scheduled for multimodal treatment will be included in the study. Four consecutive nutritional status assessments will be performed throughout the treatment. The following study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05723718) and will be conducted in accordance with the STROBE statement. The anticipated duration of the study is 12–24 months, depending on the recruitment status. Results of this study will reveal whether nutritional status and body composition assessment based on BIA will become a validated and objective tool to support clinical decisions in GC patients undergoing multimodal treatment.</p

The Influence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus upon the Selected Parameters of the Maternal and Fetal System of Insulin-Like Growth Factors (IGF-1, IGF-2, IGFBP1-3)—A Review and a Clinical Study

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), defined as impaired glucose tolerance with onset or first recognition in pregnancy, increases the risk of not only maternal but also fetal and neonatal complications. Given the structural similarity of insulin-like growth factors with insulin and participation of components of the insulin-like growth factor system in glucose homeostasis, we hypothesized that the IGF axis is involved in the development of GDM complications or its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of GDM on the selected parameters of the insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1, IGF-2, IGFBP1-3) in the maternal and fetal blood. Methods: The clinical material of this case-control study included 109 pregnant women and their offspring. The study group (n = 120) consisted of 60 patients with diagnosed gestational diabetes and their newborn babies. The control group (n = 98) comprised 49 healthy parturients and their offspring. We measured the concentrations of IGF-1, IGF-2, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3, insulin and glucose made by the ELISA method in peripheral blood serum in patients suffering from GDM and pregnant women without GDM, and in the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies born to them. Results: The analysis of concentrations of IGF-1, -2 and IGFBP-3 in peripheral blood as well as umbilical cord blood did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the study group and the control group. Significantly lower concentration of IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 in peripheral blood and in umbilical cord blood was detected in the study group in comparison to the control group. A statistically positive correlation between the concentration of IGF-1 in umbilical cord serum of newborn babies born to women with gestational diabetes and the length of a baby after its birth was observed. Conclusions: Gestational diabetes mellitus does not significantly affect the concentrations of IGF-1, -2, IGFBP-3 in the peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood, but has the greatest influence on maternal and fetal IGFBP-2 concentrations. A positive correlation between the concentration of IGF-1 in umbilical cord blood and the length of a newborn suggests an influence of IGF-1 on the process of fetal development

C1q/TNF-Related Protein-3 (CTRP-3) and Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) Concentrations in Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder in pregnant women, defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first detected during pregnancy. Explanation of its pathogenesis is extremely important due to the possibility of preventing serious maternal and fetal complications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of two molecules: C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-3 (CTRP-3) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) which may possibly participate in GDM development. To our knowledge, this is the first study in pregnant women with GDM evaluating CTRP-3 level. Methods: Serum CTRP-3 and PEDF concentration and clinical characteristics were detected in 172 pregnant women. These women were divided into two groups: normal glucose tolerance group (NGT, n = 54) and gestational diabetes mellitus group (GDM, n = 118). This second group was further divided into two subgroups depending on the treatment used: GDM 1&mdash;diet only (n = 75) and GDM 2&mdash;insulin treatment (n = 43). Results: Our study did not reveal any statistically significant difference between the concentration of PEDF in the control and GDM group. In our study there was a significantly higher concentration of CTRP-3 evaluated in the peripheral blood serum in patients with gestational diabetes (GDM) compared to those in the control group (8.84 vs. 4.79 ng/mL). Significantly higher values of CTRP-3 were observed in both the diet-treated subgroup and the group with insulin therapy when compared to control group (8.40 and 10.96, respectively vs. 4.79 ng/mL). Conclusion: PEDF concentration does not change in GDM, whereas an increased level of CTRP-3 may point to the key role of this adipokine in the development of GDM

Study on free amino acid concentrations in umbilical cord blood plasma of newborns from normoglycaemic and gestational diabetes-complicated pregnancies

Introduction and objective. Gestational diabetes mellitus is a common disease among pregnant women. The aim of the study was to compare plasma concentrations of 24 amino acids in umbilical cord blood in newborns from normoglycaemic pregnancies versus those complicated by gestational diabetes. The relationship between birth weight and length of newborns and placental concentrations of individual amino acids were also assessed. Material and methods. The study comprised 76 pregnant women at the gestational age of 37 weeks and more. The control group consisted of 31 women whose 75-g glucose load test excluded gestational diabetes mellitus. The study group encompassed 45 women with diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus. The placental plasma concentrations of 24 amino acids were determined using ion-exchange chromatography with an automated amino acid analyser. Results. The concentrations of cysteic acid, aspartic acid, threonine, glutamic acid, cystine, and alpha-aminobutyric acid in umbilical cord blood plasma were higher in the group complicated by gestational diabetes compared to normoglycemic pregnancies; otherwise, concentrations of glutamine, alanine, valine, phenylalanine, lysine and, arginine were lower in the group complicated by gestational diabetes than in the normoglycaemic group. Conclusions. The results show that despite optimal control of carbohydrate metabolism during gestational diabetes mellitus, there are many abnormalities in the amino acids metabolism. This suggests that research on the effects of amino acids concentration in umbilical cord blood on the foetal development in gestational diabetes-complicated pregnancies should be continued

Effect of use of an obstetric gel during labour on parturients’ satisfaction

Cel. Celem badania było określenie, czy zastosowanie podczas porodu bezpiecznego dla organizmu matki i dziecka żelu położniczego wpływa na satysfakcję porodową rodzących. Materiał i metoda. Badaniami objęto 45 pierworódek. Do grupy badanej zakwalifikowano 22 kobiety, u których podczas porodu zastosowano żel położniczy. Grupę kontrolną stanowiły 23 rodzące, u których poród przebiegał bez użycia żelu. Do oceny satysfakcji z przebiegu porodu zastosowano następujące narzędzia badawcze: Wizualną Skalę Analogową (Visual Analogue Scale- VAS) oraz ankietę własnej konstrukcji. Wyniki. Nie wykazano pomiędzy grupą badaną a kontrolną istotnych statystycznie różnic w ocenie zadowolenia z przebiegu porodu, wyczerpania po porodzie oraz natężenia bólu w II okresie porodu. Wniosek. Zastosowanie żelu położniczego podczas drugiego okresu porodu nie wpływało w istotny sposób na satysfakcję z przebiegu porodu u badanych kobiet.Objective. The objective of the presented study was to discover whether the use of an obstetric gel safe for mother and child during labour exerts an effect on woman›s satisfaction with childbirth. Material and method. The study included 45 primaparous women – 22 in whom obstetric gel was applied were qualified into the study group, and a control group covering 23 women whose delivery proceeded without the use of a gel. Satisfaction with the course of childbirth was evaluated using the following research instruments: the Visual Analogue Scale-VAS, and a questionnaire designed by the author. Results. No statistically significant differences in evaluations concerning satisfaction with the course of delivery, exhaustion after delivery and pain intensity during the second stage of labour were observed between the study and control groups. Conclusion. Application of an obstetric gel during the second stage of delivery did not significantly affect the womens’ satisfaction with childbirth

Effect of use of an obstetric gel during labour on parturients’ satisfaction

Cel. Celem badania było określenie, czy zastosowanie podczas porodu bezpiecznego dla organizmu matki i dziecka żelu położniczego wpływa na satysfakcję porodową rodzących. Materiał i metoda. Badaniami objęto 45 pierworódek. Do grupy badanej zakwalifikowano 22 kobiety, u których podczas porodu zastosowano żel położniczy. Grupę kontrolną stanowiły 23 rodzące, u których poród przebiegał bez użycia żelu. Do oceny satysfakcji z przebiegu porodu zastosowano następujące narzędzia badawcze: Wizualną Skalę Analogową (Visual Analogue Scale- VAS) oraz ankietę własnej konstrukcji. Wyniki. Nie wykazano pomiędzy grupą badaną a kontrolną istotnych statystycznie różnic w ocenie zadowolenia z przebiegu porodu, wyczerpania po porodzie oraz natężenia bólu w II okresie porodu. Wniosek. Zastosowanie żelu położniczego podczas drugiego okresu porodu nie wpływało w istotny sposób na satysfakcję z przebiegu porodu u badanych kobiet.Objective. The objective of the presented study was to discover whether the use of an obstetric gel safe for mother and child during labour exerts an effect on woman›s satisfaction with childbirth. Material and method. The study included 45 primaparous women – 22 in whom obstetric gel was applied were qualified into the study group, and a control group covering 23 women whose delivery proceeded without the use of a gel. Satisfaction with the course of childbirth was evaluated using the following research instruments: the Visual Analogue Scale-VAS, and a questionnaire designed by the author. Results. No statistically significant differences in evaluations concerning satisfaction with the course of delivery, exhaustion after delivery and pain intensity during the second stage of labour were observed between the study and control groups. Conclusion. Application of an obstetric gel during the second stage of delivery did not significantly affect the womens’ satisfaction with childbirth

Influence of Pre-Pregnancy Obesity on Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism with Selected Adipokines in the Maternal and Fetal Compartment

A higher body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of maternal and perinatal complications. This study aimed to analyze selected parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, including adipokines, in obese pre-pregnant women, and their influence on the birth weight of newborns. Materials and Methods: The study group (O) consisted of 34 pregnant women with higher BMI (obese) before pregnancy. The control group (C) was 27 pregnant women with target BMI and physiological pregnancy. The BMI index: body weight [kg]/(height [m]2 was assessed on the first obstetrical visit. The research material was the serum of pregnant women collected in the third trimester of pregnancy and umbilical cord blood collected immediately after delivery. Selected parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and adipokines were determined. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the study group and the control group concerning the concentrations of insulin, glucose, VLDL, adiponectin, TNF-α, HOMA-IR, as well as LDH and cholesterol in maternal blood serum and umbilical cord blood serum. Total cholesterol and HDL in both maternal blood serum and umbilical cord blood were statistically significantly lower than those in the control group. The concentration of triglycerides (TG) and resistin in the blood serum of obese mothers were higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the concentrations of TG and resistin in the umbilical cord blood. The concentration of LDL cholesterol in the umbilical blood serum in the obese group was statistically significantly lower than that in the control group. The concentration of leptin in maternal blood serum and umbilical cord blood serum in the study group was statistically significantly higher than that in the control group. Conclusions: Pregestational obesity does not substantially affect the basic parameters of carbohydrate metabolism in pregnant women, but it disturbs the lipid profile, which is manifested by a significant increase in triglycerides and a decrease in the level of HDL cholesterol in the serum. Preexisting obesity increases the concentration of leptin and resistin in the serum of pregnant women, which may be caused by the increased volume of adipose tissue. The concentrations of leptin and resistin in the blood of pregnant women correlate positively, and the concentrations of adiponectin and TNF-α negatively correlate with pre-pregnancy BMI values. There is a positive correlation between the concentration of leptin in the serum of umbilical cord blood and the birth weight of the newborn, which suggests that this parameter contributes to the pathomechanism of macrosomia

Cytometric analysis of peripheral blood T regulatory cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) of a patient at the 10th week of normal pregnancy.

<p>The evaluation of TREGS percentage was conducted among CD4+ cells in P1 population (Fig 2A). Fig 2B-C show negative controls of the sample. Fig 2D-E show the helper cells (CD4+) expressing CD25 antigen (Fig 2D) and Foxp3 antigen (Fig 2E). Fig 2F shows the population of TREGs cells (CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+) in the test sample.</p

Correlation between maternal age and the percentage of mDCs, pDCs and TREGs in patients with miscarriage.

<p>Correlation between maternal age and the percentage of mDCs, pDCs and TREGs in patients with miscarriage.</p