Molecular Biomarkers & Diagnosis

Iron Biomarker in Gestational Diabetes Pathogenesis

Abstract

Priyanka Shukla, Xiaoqiu Xiao and Rahul Mishra

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is observed to be associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. Screening for glucose intolerance during pregnancy provides an opportunity to offer management to those women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus after first trimester. Elevated iron stores may induce diabetes through a variety of mechanisms, including oxidative damage to pancreatic beta cells, impairment of hepatic insulin extraction by the liver, and interference with insulin's ability to suppress hepatic glucose production. Raised Serum Ferritin could be related to the occurrence of long term complications of diabetes, both micro vascular and macro vascular. Iron affects glucose metabolism and glucose metabolism impinges on several iron metabolic processes. Iron overload decreases insulin sensitivity and cause earlier complications in diabetes mellitus. Iron plays a direct and causal role in diabetes pathogenesis mediated both by cell failure and insulin resistance. Iron also regulates metabolism in most tissues involved in fuel homeostasis, with the adipocyte in particular serving an iron-sensing role.