DNA Methylation in Gestational Diabetes and its Predictive Value for Postpartum Glucose Disturbances

Context DNA methylation in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes. Objective To assess the value of DNA methylation in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes (GDM) and in the prediction of maternal postpartum glucose disturbances. Methods Two-stage observational study performed between July 2006 and December 2010, at University Hospital. Forty-eight randomly selected pregnant women formed the discovery cohort (24 with GDM and 24 controls) and 252 pregnant women (94 with GDM and 158 controls) formed the replication cohort. GDM women were re-evaluated 4 years postpartum. The main outcome measures were GDM, type 2 diabetes or prediabetes at 4 years postpartum. Results We identified 3 CpG sites related to LINC00917, TRAPPC9, and LEF1 that were differentially methylated in women with GDM and abnormal glucose tolerance; and sites associated with LINC00917 and TRAPPC9 were independently associated with an abnormal glucose tolerance status 4 years postpartum after controlling for clinical variables. Moreover, the site associated with LINC00917 and the combination of the 3 sites had the highest predictive values. Conclusion Our results suggest that some of these sites may be implicated in the development of GDM and postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance.

Automated summary

DNA methylation can be used in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes and in predicting the risk of maternal postpartum glucose disturbances. This study identified three CpG sites related to GDM and abnormal glucose tolerance and found that LINC00917 and TRAPPC9 sites were independently associated with postpartum abnormal glucose tolerance.