Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Ιατρική Γενετική: Κλινική και Εργαστηριακή ΚατεύθυνσηLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Author:
Loukanari Theodora
Supervisors info:
Βασιλική Παπαευαγγέλου, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπουσα
Ελένη Φρυσίρα, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Ιωάννα-Ραχήλ Traeger – Συνοδινού, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Μελέτη της πρωτεΐνης δεσμευτικής της θειορεδοξίνης (TXNIP) σε πλακούντες μητέρων με διαβήτη κύησης
Translated title:
A study of thioredoxin- interacting protein (TXNIP) in the placenta of mothers with gestational diabetes
Summary:
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that includes a series of metabolic dysfunctions, characterized by high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). In healthy individuals, blood glucose levels are regulated by hormones, in particular insulin, which controls the glucose transportation from the bloodstream into the cells. Diabetic patients have either insulin deficiency or insulin resistance and both conditions coexist in some cases.
Gestational diabetes is defined as the insulin resistance first diagnosed or detected during pregnancy. Pregnancy hyperglycemia is associated with an increased risk of complications for the mother, the fetus or the neonate, while mothers with gestational diabetes and their off-springs are considered to be at increased risk of developing diabetes later in life. Pregnancy is generally a diabetic condition. Each pregnancy is characterized by some degree of insulin resistance, which is caused by placental hormones.
The thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) is a regulator of the redox stage of the cell by binding to and inhibiting thioredoxin. The thioredoxin system (Trx system) is the body’s main antioxidant system against oxidative stress. High glucose levels result in increased expression of TXNIP. The TXNIP protein has an important role in glucose metabolism, oxidative stress and pancreatic β-cell apoptosis while having additional effects such as suppression of cell growth and transcription, regulation of inflammatory response and tumor suppression.
In this study we attempted to determine TXNIP protein levels in placenta of healthy women (controls) and women with gestational diabetes (patients), in order to find possible differences in the expression levels and correlations with somatometric and biochemical parameters. The protein extraction from the placental tissue was followed by Western blot electrophoresis.
Statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the control and patient groups and TXNIP levels found to be increased in the control group. Also, statistically significant differences were observed in maternal average weight, BMI before delivery and glucose levels, that were elevated in patients. TXNIP levels are affected by treatment with insulin and obesity and these factors may alter the expected results. In addition, a statistically significant negative correlation was observed between TXNIP and diastolic blood pressure and between TXNIP and glucose levels.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Gestational diabetes, TXNIP, Western blot, TRX, Glucose
Number of references:
136
