Are plasma total homocysteine and other amino acids associated with glucose intolerance in uncomplicated pregnancies and preeclampsia?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the possible association between plasma total homocysteine or other amino acid concentrations and gestational diabetes or glucose intolerance (GI), in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women.


METHODS
Prospective study including 243 pregnant women without previous risk factors. O'Sullivan test (plus oral glucose tolerance test when necessary) was performed, and homocysteine, B vitamins and plasma amino acids (AA) were measured at 24-25 weeks. Homocysteine and other amino acids were also measured in the third trimester.


RESULTS
Significant differences were observed in the incidence of preeclampsia in relation to abnormal glucose tolerance (P < 0.012). In normotensive patients, the glucose intolerance group showed significantly lower tHcy (P = 0.021) and increased plasma alanine concentrations in comparison with controls (P = 0.046), although no correlation was observed between both amino acid concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
(a) A higher incidence of preeclampsia was observed in abnormal glucose tolerance patients, (b) total homocysteine and alanine were the only individual amino acids whose plasma concentrations varied according to the glucose tolerance classes, and (c) an association between hyperhomocysteinemia and glucose intolerance in our preeclamptic patients could not be demonstrated.
López-Quesada
Eva
E
Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu 2, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
Antònia Vilaseca
M
M
Gómez
Elena
E
Lailla
Josep M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000409:Alanine / Q000097:blood*; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000097:blood*
D000596:Amino Acids; D006710:Homocysteine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D000409:Alanine