Evaluation of Nrg4 and thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with GDM

Abstract

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of neuregulin4 (Nrg4) in the etiopathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and thiol/disulfide homeostasis as an indicator of oxidative stress.

Methods: This prospective, case-control study included 34 women with diabetes and 34 healthy pregnant women who applied between January 2017 and January 2020. Levels of native and total thiol, disulfide and Nrg4 were measured in both diabetes mellitus and healthy pregnant groups.

Results: When compared to the control group, the serum neuregulin4 levels in the diabetes group were considerably lower (3.22 ± 2.16 vs. 4.55 ± 0.96, p < 0.001). Native thiol (292.67 ± 43.65 vs. 366.40 ± 51.28; p < 0.001), total thiol (388.60 ± 46.60 vs. 414.52 ± 54.19; p < 0.001) levels and native thiol/total thiol ratio (75.51 ± 8.95 vs. 88.35 ± 3.54; p < 0.001) were lower in diabetes group compared to control group. Disulfide level (47.96 ± 19.52 vs. 24.06 ± 7.69) and disulfide/native thiol (17.13 ± 8.03, vs. 6.67 ± 2.30) and disulfide/total thiol (12.24 ± 4.47 vs. 5.82 ± 1.77) ratios were higher in diabetes group (all p < 0.001).

Conclusions: We suggested that decreased Nrg4 level and impaired oxidative stress parameters may be related with the increased risk of diabetes. However, we did not found a correlation between the Nrg4 and oxidative stress parameters.

Keywords: Gestational diabetes mellitus; Metabolic disorders; Nrg4; Oxidative stress; Thiol/disulfide homeostasis.