Circulating cell adhesion molecule concentrations in diabetic women during pregnancy

To determine whether circulating concentrations of defined cell adhesion molecules, which are thought to reflect endothelial expression, are increased in insulin-dependent diabetic women during pregnancy.

Pregnant diabetic women demonstrating good glycemic control and without major complications before pregnancy were studied at 8-12 (n = 15), 18 (n = 15), 28 (n = 16), 32 (n = 16), and 36 (n = 16) weeks' gestation. A subgroup of ten diabetic women was sampled longitudinally through all five gestational ages. The diabetic women were compared with healthy nondiabetic women sampled cross sectionally at 12 (n = 20), 28 (n = 19), and 36 (n = 19) weeks' gestation. Nonpregnant diabetic (n = 22) and nonpregnant nondiabetic women (n = 28) also were studied. Plasma concentrations of the cell adhesion molecules E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Significantly higher median (range) concentrations of E-selectin (63.0 [20.2-107.0] ng/mL) and ICAM-1 (281.5 [171.6-778.4] ng/mL) but not VCAM-1 (459.7 [301.0-909.7] ng/mL) were found in nonpregnant diabetic women compared with nonpregnant nondiabetic women (43.5 [18.1-93.2], 243.6 [174.4-329.2], and 476.0 [253.8-929.4] ng/mL, respectively). During pregnancy these significant differences between diabetic and control groups were lost. The median (range) concentration of E-selectin (50.0 [21.2-96.3] ng/mL) was significantly lower in pregnant compared with nonpregnant diabetic women. The plasma concentrations of E-selectin and ICAM-1 did not change significantly with gestation in either diabetic or nondiabetic pregnant groups. Vascular endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 concentration changed significantly with gestation in the diabetic pregnant group only.

Circulating concentrations of defined vascular cell adhesion molecules are not increased abnormally in diabetic women with good glycemic control during otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy.