Increased serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Elevated serum levels of oxidized Low-density Lipoprotein (oxLDL) have been found in type 2 and in poorly controlled diabetic patients. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has common features with type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to evaluate the serum levels of oxLDL in women with GDM compared to normal pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, ninety-two subjects were randomly allocated to either GDM (n=46) or control (n=46) groups matched for age, body mass index and parity from March 2013 to March 2014. GDM was diagnosed according to the American Diabetes Association criteria at 24-26 weeks of gestation. OxLDL was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. T-test and Pearson correlation coefficients were applied for analyzing the data by using SPSS version 17. RESULTS Compared to the controls, significantly higher oxLDL levels were found in the GDM group (17.16 ± 3.71 U/L vs. 8.77 ± 1.84 U/L, respectively, p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between oxLDL and age and BMI of the patients in the groups. CONCLUSION Our study found significant increase of oxLDL in GDM emphasizing the role of short-term hyperglycemia in the formation of oxLDL during GDM. The importance of aptly diagnosis of GDM in maternal health may also be concluded.