title: Effects of antidiabetic agents on pancreatic beta-cell function in gestational diabetes: is there enough evidence?
abstract: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is typically characterized by the presence of insulin resistance. However, recent studies showed that both insulin resistance and pancreatic beta-cell function impairment may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes in women with history of GDM. In fact, beta-cell function decline was found as significant predictor of later disease in former GDM women progressing towards type 2 diabetes. Despite the evidence of the relevance of beta-cell function quantification in GDM, a low number of studies focused on the effects of GDM treatments on beta-cell function. We briefly present the evidence of the effects on beta-cell function of pharmacological agents, as well as nutrition supplements or medical nutrition therapy, used in the management of GDM. We found that few studies reported information on beta-cell function effects in GDM, despite some agents, such as glyburide, are well known insulin secretagogues. Therefore, further studies should be carried out to clearly assess the effects on beta-cell function of the treatments in GDM women.
authors.affiliation: a CNR Institute of Neuroscience , Padova , Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tura
authors.affiliation: b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Feto-maternal Medicine , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Göbl
authors.affiliation: a CNR Institute of Neuroscience , Padova , Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pacini
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents
keywords: Antidiabetic agents; beta-cell function; gestational diabetes; hypoglycemic agents; insulin secretion; nutrition therapy