Stress adaptation is associated with insulin resistance in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Aim Oxidative stress is known to increase the risk of insulin resistance (IR). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between stress hormones and IR in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), in an attempt to gain insights into the pathogenesis of GDM. Methods Recruited in this study were 70 GDM women and 70 healthy pregnant women as control. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), plasma epinephrine (E), noradrenaline (NE), glucagon, and cortisol levels were detected. IR was assessed by homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) in both groups. Correlations among stress hormones, oxidative stress, and IR were analyzed by Pearson's correlation after log transformation. Results Compared with the Control group, MDA was increased and anti-oxidative enzymes SOD and GSH were decreased significantly in the GDM group. Glucagon, E, and NE in the GDM group were increased by 22.42%, 36.82%, and 35.09%, respectively, as compared with those in the Control group. MDA showed a significant positive correlation, and SOD showed a negative correlation with HOMA-IR in the GDM group. In addition, HOMA-IR was positively related to glucagon, E, NE, and cortisol. Conclusions Elevation of stress hormones and stress adaptation disturbance may be associated with the pathogenesis of GDM in pregnant women.