Abstract
Introduction: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing worldwide. During a pregnancy complicated with diabetes, the human placenta undergoes a number of specific functional and structural changes still poorly understood. In this study, selected immune stains related to glucose and lipid metabolism were tested in placentas from mothers with and without GDM in a search for biomarkers as a possible diagnostic tool for GDM-related placental complications. Methods: From the multiethnic population-based STORK Groruddalen cohort, 24 placentas were selected from mothers with and without diagnosed GDM, all under close prenatal control since gestational week 15. After delivery, as part of a larger study, Tissue microarrays (TMA) where made from placental tissue without macroscopic or inflammatory changes. Immune stains with a panel of markers including FGF2, IGF; PLA2, TNFα and VEGF, were microscopically evaluated in the villous trophoblast, stroma cell and fetal endothelial cell. Results: VEGF, FGF2, PLA2, IGF and TNF did not show clear identificable traces of GDM. Further studies on more patients and controls are needed, included statistical analysis and clinical correlation.