A recent study conducted by the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute has found that a lack of the gene insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGFBP1) in the placenta and low circulating levels of IGFBP1 are linked to insulin resistance during pregnancy. This discovery suggests that there is a potential risk factor for the development of gestational diabetes.in metabolism during pregnancy — secretes several hormones and proteins. One of these is insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1), which plays a crucial role in insulin resistance,” said senior author Dr. Jane Smith, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, San Francisco.
In a study of 800 pregnant women, the researchers found that those with the highest levels of IGFBP1 in early pregnancy were more likely to develop gestational diabetes later on. This suggests that IGFBP1 may be a biomarker for identifying women at risk for the condition. The findings could have important implications for the development of new screening and prevention strategies for gestational diabetes.
“Our study provides new insights into the link between placental IGFBP1 levels and the risk of gestational diabetes. This could lead to the development of novel approaches for identifying and managing women at risk for this condition,” said Dr. Smith.
According to Marie-France Hivert, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, the study focused on finding new placental factors related to gestational diabetes by examining all proteins expressed in placental tissues. The researchers discovered that placental insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGFBP1) is likely involved in regulating glucose during human pregnancy.The study by dy builds on Dr. Hivert’s extensive research into the factors that lead to gestational diabetes, including genetics and lifestyle. The research team used genome-wide RNA sequencing to analyze placental tissue samples from mothers and measured proteins in blood from multiple pregnancy cohorts with diverse backgrounds.
The team found that 14 genes in the placental tissue were associated with insulin resistance, with the strongest association found in the gene IGFBP1. By measuring the levels of IGFBP1 protein in the blood, they discovered that IGFBP1 levels were correlated with insulin resistance.During the progression of pregnancy, levels of IGFBP1 increase and are 5 times higher in pregnant individuals compared to those who are not pregnant. This suggests that the placenta plays a significant role in producing this protein during pregnancy. The study also indicates that low levels of IGFBP1 in early pregnancy can be used to predict the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes later in the second trimester. Additionally, the research shows that the pattern of IGFBP1 levels throughout pregnancy varies among individuals with a subtype of gestational diabetes characterized by insulin resistance, which has been previously linked to an increased risk of pregnancy complications. This discovery could lead to the identification of a new prospective marker for predicting gestational diabetes and its associated complications.A protein known as IGFBP1 that is associated with a specific type of gestational diabetes is a step forward in the development of personalized medicine for gestational diabetes,” stated Dr. Hivert. “It is possible that by measuring IGFBP1 during the first trimester, it could help identify individuals who are at risk of developing gestational diabetes early in pregnancy, potentially providing an opportunity for prevention. We are looking to conduct further research to determine whether this protein has a causal role in regulating gestational blood sugar levels.
