Gut microbiome and serum metabolic alterations in recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus

This study aimed to identify gut microbiome and serum metabolic alterations in women with recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which affects a significant proportion of those with a prior history.

Seventy pregnant women with prior GDM from Beijing, China, participated in this prospective cohort study. Fecal and serum samples were collected in the first (8-12 weeks) and second trimesters (24-28 weeks). Gut microbiota composition was analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing, and serum metabolites were profiled using untargeted metabolomics. Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses integrated data from Finnish, Canadian, and UK Biobank cohorts to infer potential causal relationships.

Recurrent GDM cases exhibited stage-specific microbial dysbiosis, characterized by an early enrichment of pro-inflammatory taxa (e.g., Streptococcus, Enterobacter) and a depletion of beneficial Bacteroidales, followed by a mid-pregnancy loss of Lactobacillaceae and Desulfovibrio. Network analysis identified reduced microbial community cohesion in recurrent GDM. Metabolomic profiling revealed a downregulation of caffeine metabolites and lipids in recurrent GDM. MR analyses suggested that 16 taxa may influence GDM risk, mediated by metabolites such as lipid signaling.

These findings highlight potential interventions for preventing GDM through modulation of gut microbiota and metabolic byproducts during pregnancy.