DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress is implicated in causation of many diseases including diabetes mellitus. An abnormally high level of oxidative stress may be involved in development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We aimed to compare degree of oxidative stress in healthy pregnant, and GDM women by measuring serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on age and gestational age matched 30 healthy pregnant women and 30 patients of GDM at Army Medical College and Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi over a period of one year. The diagnosis of GDM was made during second trimester after oral glucose tolerance test. The subjects with type-1 or type-2 diabetes, past history of gestational diabetes and systemic inflammatory disease were not included. Serum malondialdehyde levels of all subjects were measured with ELISA technique. Data were analysed on SPSS-22. Numerical data were expressed as Mean±SD and the comparison between two groups was done using independent samples t-test. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient for association between numerical variables was assessed, and p?0.05 was regarded statistically significant. Results: GDM group had significantly higher mean serum MDA level as compared to healthy pregnant women. Serum MDA had positive correlation with fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin. Conclusion: A significantly high MDA in GDM along with positive correlation with fasting glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin indicates the possible role of oxidative stress in GDM.
Pak J Physiol 2025;21(3):3–6, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v21i3.1836