Gestational diabetes is a common pregnancy complication. Although the precise underlying mechanism has yet to be identified, insulin resistance and inadequate insulin secretion to compensate for it play a central role in the pathophysiology of GDM. Excess adiposity is an important modifiable risk factor for the development of the condition. Mechanisms linking excess adiposity to elevated risk of GDM are not completely understood, but recent evidence points to the crucial role of specific hormones and cytokines (adipokines) secreted by the adipose tissue. The general goal of this project is for research on the pathogenesis of GDM. Under this research theme, the specific aim of this project is to prospectively investigate novel biochemical markers, for instance, biomarkers involved in adipocyte cytokine secretion and metabolism in association with subsequent risk of GDM and fetal overgrowth. Bio-specimens throughout pregnancy from more than 2,900 pregnant women enrolled in the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies. In the past year, we actively worked with the UMN laboratory to obtain data inlcuding non-targeted metabolomics data from UC Davis. We are teaming with biostatiticians analyzing the data. Several projects are undergoing, for instance 1) adipokines and hepatokines and GDM risk; 2) growth hormones and GDM risk; and 3) metabolomics and GDM.
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