Metabolomic profiling reveals early biomarkers of gestational diabetes mellitus and associated hepatic steatosis
WHAT IS CURRENTLY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication with significant health risks. Early identification of women at high risk for GDM is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes. WHAT IS THE KEY RESEARCH QUESTION?: What alterations in circulating metabolites during early pregnancy are associated with subsequent GDM development? Does metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) mediate the association between specific metabolites and GDM risk? WHAT IS NEW?: Significant alterations in bile acids, amino acids, phosphatidylethanolamines, and phosphatidylinositols were observed in early pregnancy sera of women who later developed GDM. MASLD significantly mediated the effects of several metabolites on GDM risk, with mediation proportions ranging from 9.7 to 31.9%. A refined prediction model composed of clinical factors and metabolites significantly improved the performance in predicting GDM development. HOW MIGHT THIS STUDY INFLUENCE CLINICAL PRACTICE?: These results provide new insights into early metabolic alterations associated with GDM development and highlight the potential mediating role of MASLD. This comprehensive metabolomic approach may contribute to the development of improved risk prediction models and targeted interventions for GDM prevention.
Authors
- Jinhaeng Lee
- Jeesun Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0793-3802)
- Bo Kyung Koo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6489-2656)
- Sang Youn Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4038-7345)
- Ig Hwan Oh
- Seung Mi Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2543-0408)
- Woojoo Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5736-4583)
- Joon Ho Moon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1897-0905)
- Sae Kyung Joo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4615-7607)
- Gyoung Min Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6768-4396)
- Kue Hyun Kang
- Geum‐Sook Hwang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1600-1556)
- Yeonjin Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3824-0179)
- Joong Shin Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5246-0477)
- Sue Shin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4791-8671)
- Errol R. Norwitz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4643-1546)
- Dong Hyeon Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2044-6854)
- Sun Min Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3369-3937)
- Youngae Jung (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0332-9130)
- Byoung Jae Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2734-997X)
- Yejin Bae
- Ji Hoi Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2601-2179)
- Ja Nam Koo
- Won–Ho Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4849-472X)
Institutions
- Tufts University (US)
- Seoul National University (KR)
- Yonsei University (KR)
- Seoul Metropolitan Government (KR)
- Seoul National University Hospital (KR)
- Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (KR)
- SNUH SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center (KR)
- Korea Basic Science Institute (KR)
- Incheon Medical Center (KR)
- Chung-Ang University (KR)
- Sungkyunkwan University (KR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cardiovascular Diabetology
- Published
- 2025-03-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-025-02645-4
- Citations
- 11
- Primary Topic
- Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 22.63
Funders
- Korea Basic Science Institute
- National Research Foundation of Korea
- Korea National Institute of Health