Lipid peroxidation and vitamin E status in gestational diabetes mellitus

To investigate any correlation between plasma levels of lipid peroxides, antioxidant nutrient (alpha-tocopherol) and oxidized high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in patients with gestational diabetes and those with a normal pregnancy and the incidence of pre-eclampsia.

Sixty pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic were recruited for the study and were divided into two groups. Thirty women with gestational diabetes mellitus were recruited in the study group. The glucose-tolerance-test criteria, using 100 g of glucose taken orally, as laid down by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (1994) for diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus was used. Thirty gestation-matched pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance test results were recruited as controls. A 10 mL venous blood sample was collected from each subject at the time of recruitment and thereafter at 4 week intervals until the time of delivery. Samples were analyzed for malondialdehyde thiobarbituric acid reactive, oxidized HDL-cholesterol and alpha-tocopherol. The incidence of pre-eclampsia and its correlation with antioxidant and lipid peroxide levels were compared in both the groups.

Ten subjects out of 30 in the study group and three subjects out of 30 in the control group developed pre-eclampsia. The incidence of preterm labor in both the groups was same (16.66%). The mean lipid peroxide level was lower in the study group at recruitment and later the levels kept falling, whereas levels of alpha-tocopherol and oxidized-HDL were higher in the study group and kept on rising at follow up.

Gestational diabetes is not associated with increased levels of lipid peroxides and decreased levels of alpha-tocopherol.