Low-grade inflammation in young adults exposed to intrauterine hyperglycemia

Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2012 Aug;97(2):322-30. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2012.04.023. Epub 2012 May 21.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate associations between fetal exposure to intrauterine hyperglycemia and plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in adult offspring.

Method: We studied 597 offspring, aged 18-27 years, from four different groups concerning exposure to intrauterine hyperglycemia and genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes (offspring of women with: gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), risk factors for GDM but normal glucose tolerance, type 1 diabetes and women from the background population, respectively). The participants were characterized by fasting plasma levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP, a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and anthropometric measurements.

Results: No association between intrauterine exposure to hyperglycemia and levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP in the offspring was found. In contrast maternal overweight (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m(2)) was positively associated with levels of both IL-6 and hs-CRP (p for both=0.003). Offspring who had already developed overweight or conditions of abnormal glucose tolerance were characterized by higher levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP compared with the remaining offspring (all p<0.007).

Conclusion: Maternal overweight but not exposure to intrauterine hyperglycemia was associated with low-grade inflammation in adult offspring.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Adult Children
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / epidemiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / immunology
  • Diabetes, Gestational / blood
  • Diabetes, Gestational / epidemiology*
  • Diabetes, Gestational / immunology
  • Female
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / blood
  • Hyperglycemia / epidemiology*
  • Hyperglycemia / immunology
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Interleukin-6 / blood*
  • Male
  • Overweight / blood
  • Overweight / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Interleukin-6
  • C-Reactive Protein