First trimester serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in gestational diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is highly expressed in damaged epithelia, during inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Soluble NGAL was measured in women who subsequently developed gestational diabetes.


METHODS
From a cohort of 908 pregnant outpatients who participated in a screening programme for Down's syndrome at 9-12 weeks of gestation, we considered all 41 women with a singleton pregnancy, who developed gestational diabetes in the previous 12 months, and a control group of 82 normal pregnancies. Circulating NGAL and insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment ratio (HOMA-IR) were determined in the first trimester.


RESULTS
Median serum NGAL concentrations were higher in the gestational diabetes group [51.3 ng/ml (39.8-66.1 ng/ml)] compared with the control group [17.8 ng/ml (15.5-20.9 ng/ml)] (P < 0.001) and positively correlated with HOMA-IR (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In the first trimester, circulating NGAL was significantly increased in women who subsequently developed gestational diabetes compared with the control group.
D'Anna
R
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. rosariodanna@tin.it
Baviera
G
G
Corrado
F
F
Giordano
D
D
Recupero
S
S
Di Benedetto
A
A
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000097:blood*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D054834:Lipocalins