To estimate serum nitric oxide (NO) and asymmetric
dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in pregnant women and correlate it
with severity of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) judged by Oral
Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).
Patients & Methods: 225 pregnant women gave fasting blood samples
to estimate baseline blood glucose (BG), and serum insulin, NO and
ADMA, and to undergo OGTT. Insulin resistance (IR) was indicated
by HOMA-IR score >2. At 24th week, blood sample were re-evaluated
using OGTT and women were categorized in Study (GDM) and
Control (free of GDM) group.
Results: At 24th week, HOMA-IR scores were significantly higher than
baseline scores and in study versus control women. Baseline serum
ADMA levels were significantly higher, while serum NO levels were
significantly lower in study versus control women and correlated with
body mass index (BMI), GDM, BG and HOMA-IR score of all women.
Serum ADMA and NO showed significant correlation with extent of
serum insulin change, but low serum NO is significant predictor for
development and severity of IR.
Conclusion: IR induces endothelial dysfunction manifested as low
serum NO and high serum ADMA. Baseline serum NO could predict
the extent of serum insulin change.