Increased DNA Damage is Related to Maternal Blood Glucose Levels in the Offspring of Women With Diabetes and Mild Gestational Hyperglycemia.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed at correlating maternal blood glucose levels with DNA damage levels in the offspring of women with diabetes or mild gestational hyperglycemia (MGH).


METHODS
Based on oral glucose tolerance test results and glycemic profiles, 56 pregnant women were allocated into 3 groups: nondiabetes, MGH, and diabetes. The offspring of these women (56 infants) were also evaluated. Maternal peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood samples were collected and processed for biochemical and DNA damage analysis by the comet assay.


RESULTS
A positive correlation between maternal blood glucose mean and increased offspring DNA damage levels was observed. Hyperglycemia played a role in offspring DNA damage, but other diabetes-induced complications were also involved.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased maternal blood glucose levels can lead to increased offspring DNA damage levels. Therefore, the monitoring, control, and treatment of pregnant women with diabetes and MGH are highly important to ensure a risk-free pregnancy and healthy infants.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory of Experimental Research on Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Univ Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil rafaelgelaleti@hotmail.com.
Rafael Bottaro
RB
Gelaleti
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory of Experimental Research on Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Univ Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
Débora C
DC
Damasceno
Post-graduate Program in Endocrinology, Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Endocrinology (LIM-25), School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Daniele P
DP
Santos
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory of Experimental Research on Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Univ Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
Iracema M P
IM
Calderon
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory of Experimental Research on Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Univ Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
Marilza V C
MV
Rudge
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology*; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
D001786:Blood Glucose
DNA damage; diabetes; mild gestational hyperglycemia; newborns; pregnant women