Foetal umbilical cord brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The aim of our study was to investigate whether gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in foetal umbilical cord blood. A total of 96 participants were divided into a GDM group (n = 43) and a non-diabetic control group (n = 53). Cord blood samples of approximately 5 cc were taken immediately after the foetal umbilical cord was clamped during delivery in order to determine BDNF levels. While the mean age, body mass index, birth weight, rate of caesarean delivery, rate of infant macrosomia, and neonatal intensive care unit admission of women with GDM were significantly higher compared to the non-diabetic control group (p < .05), pregnancy complications were comparable between the groups (p > .05). Although no significant differences were noted between the groups with respect to cord blood BDNF levels (0.79 ± 0.37 ng/ml vs. 0.69 ± 017 ng/ml, p = .122), cord blood BDNF values were higher in female infants compared to male infants (0.85 ± 0.33 ng/ml vs. 0.66 ± 0.23 ng/ml, p = .001) and in patients using insulin compared to those not using insulin in the GDM group (0.78 ± 0.14 ng/ml vs. 0.62 ± 0.09 ng/ml, p < .001). This study found that GDM has no effect on cord blood BDNF levels. More in-depth studies with larger series are needed to validate the results of the present study.

Impact statement

• What is already known on this subject? Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) negatively affects the foetal neurodevelopment due to inflammation and oxidative stress caused by hyperglycaemia. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression has been shown to modulate oxidative stress and inflammation, and there may be a relationship between varying BDNF concentrations and GDM.

• What do the results of this study add? Our study showed that no significant differences were noted between the groups with respect to cord blood BDNF levels, cord blood BDNF values were higher in female infants compared to male infants, and in patients using insulin compared to those not using insulin in the GDM group.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? GDM negatively affects the foetal neurodevelopment due to inflammation and oxidative stress caused by hyperglycaemia. BDNF expression has also been shown to modulate oxidative stress and inflammation, and there may be a relationship between varying BDNF concentrations and GDM. The association between BDNF expression and GDM has not been clearly elucidated in the literature. More in-depth studies with larger series are needed to determine this relationship.

Keywords:

• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
• gestational diabetes mellitus
• umbilical cord blood

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.