Effect of complex micronutrient supplement and vitamin D as adjunct to insulin therapy in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

Purpose: To determine the effect of complex micronutrient supplements and vitamin D as adjunct therapy on pancreatic function, oxidative stress, glucose metabolism and pregnancy outcomes in patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: 100 GDM patients admitted to Hangzhou Linping District Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, China between March 2022 and February 2023, were randomly allocated to control and study groups (50 patients each). Control group received insulin injections, whereas study group received complex micronutrients with vitamin D as supplements to insulin. Differences in terms of pancreatic function (homeostatic model assessment -insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), homeostatic model assessment -beta -cell function index (HOMA-beta)), oxidative stress (total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA)), glucose metabolism indicators (fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2 -hour postprandial glucose (2hPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)) and pregnancy outcomes was assessed. Results: After treatment, both groups showed reductions in serum levels of FBG, 2hPG and HbA1c, but study group exhibited a considerably greater decrease (p < 0.05). In addition, study group had lower HOMA-IR and MDA levels as well as higher HOMA-beta and TAC levels (p < 0.05). Negative delivery outcomes occurred less frequently in study group than in control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Complex micronutrient supplements (rich in magnesium, calcium, and zinc) in combination with vitamin D as adjunct to insulin treatment effectively reduce pancreatic function and oxidative stress, significantly control blood glucose levels and lower the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in GDM patients. Further studies will be required in a larger more diverse population to determine the mechanism of function.