Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 And Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor As Risk Factors For Early Prediction Of Gestational Diabetes

The purpose of the current study was to investigate changes in maternal plasma PAI-1 and VEGF levels during gestation, search for possible relationships with major clinical risk factors of GD and make conclusions about the practical use of PAI-1 and VEGF in early diagnostics of GD will be made.Materials and Methods: 20 pregnant women and 10 healthy non-pregnant controls aged 20 to 42 were enrolled. Maternal venous blood samples were taken at 9-14, 16-18, 24 to 28 and 32-35 weeks of gestation. PAI-1 and VEGF levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay kits. Spearman rank correlation was used for statistical analysis. Results: No significant correlations were found with the risk factor of BMI, but PAI-1 levels correlated with the woman's age (p=0.1). The mean PAI-1 level was lower in the second and rose in the 3. and 4. measurements. Individual VEGF levels correlated between measurements in I and II trimester with tendency to be lower in 2. measurement (p<0,02).Conclusions: PAI-1 values are associated with physiological insulin resistance in pregnant women. VEGF values are higher in beginning of pregnancy and falls gradually as a result of better tissue oxygenation. PAI-1 values are associated with a major clinical risk factor of GD - age, but are not associated with maternal BMI. VEGF values are not associated with major clinical risk factors of GM. Further research is needed to clarify whether PAI-1 and VEGF can be used as an independent risk factor.