Placental metabolic profiling in gestational diabetes mellitus: An important role of fatty acids

Aim Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder during pregnancy. Accumulating studies have reported metabolites that are significantly associated with the development of GDM. However, studies on the metabolism of placenta, the most important organ of maternal-fetal energy and material transport, are extremely rare. This study aimed to identify and discuss the relationship between differentially expressed metabolites (DEM) and clinical parameters of the mothers and newborns. Methods In this study, metabolites from 63 placenta tissues (32 GDM and 31 normal controls) were assayed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS). Results A total of 1297 annotated metabolites were detected, of which 87 significantly different in GDM placenta. Lipids and lipid-like molecules accounted for 62.1% of DEM as they were significantly enriched via the "biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids" and "fatty acid biosynthesis" pathways. Linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid appeared to be good biomarkers for the prediction and diagnosis of GDM. In addition, the level of PC(14:0/18:0) was negatively correlated with neonatal weight. 14 metabolites significantly different in male and female offspring, with the most increase in female newborns. Conclusion Even if maternal blood glucose level is well controlled, there are still metabolic abnormalities in GDM. Lipids and lipid-like molecules were the main differential metabolites, especially unsaturated fatty acids.