The associations of incretin hormone concentration with gestational diabetes mellitus

Background : Enteropancreatic hormonal system disorder is a possible reason for β -cell dysfunction and carbohydrate metabolism disorder among pregnant women. However, no information is available about the state of enteroinsulin hormones [glucagon, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide1 (GLP-1) and GLP-2] during pregnancy. The role of enteroinsulin hormones in the development of carbohydrate metabolism disorder during pregnancy is poorly understood. Aim : To quantify and compare incretin hormone secretion in groups of pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Materials and methods : The study included 80 patients, 50 of whom had GDM, and the control group consisted of 30 pregnant women without GDM. All patients underwent an oral glucose tolerance test; glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) estimation; ferritin, transferrin, basal and postprandial glucagon estimation; GLP-1 and GLP-2 estimation. Results : Basal glucagon and GLP-1 levels were significantly higher (p