Early Second-Trimester Serum MiRNA Profiling Predicts Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
2011

Early Second-Trimester Serum MiRNA Profiling Predicts Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Sample size: 120 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Zhao Chun, Dong Jing, Jiang Tao, Shi Zhonghua, Yu Bin, Zhu Yunlong, Chen Daozhen, Xu Junrong, Huo Ran, Dai Juncheng, Xia Yankai, Pan Shiyang, Hu Zhibin, Sha Jiahao

Primary Institution: Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China

Hypothesis

Serum miRNA could serve as candidate biomarkers for predicting GDM in early pregnancy.

Conclusion

Serum miRNAs are differentially expressed between GDM women and controls and could be candidate biomarkers for predicting GDM.

Supporting Evidence

  • Three miRNAs (miR-132, miR-29a, and miR-222) were significantly decreased in GDM women compared to controls.
  • MiR-29a and miR-222 were validated in two external sample sets.
  • The study used a multistage design to enhance the reliability of results.

Takeaway

This study found that certain tiny molecules in the blood can help predict if a pregnant woman will develop diabetes, which can help doctors take action sooner.

Methodology

The study used TaqMan Low Density Array followed by individual quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays to screen miRNAs in serum collected at 16–19 gestational weeks.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to sample storage conditions and the retrospective nature of the study.

Limitations

The sample size of the external validation was relatively small, and the expression levels of miRNAs were slightly higher in external validation samples.

Participant Demographics

Pregnant women aged 16–19 weeks gestation, matched on age, BMI, and gravidity.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.001 for miR-29a in external validation.

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0023925

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