Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 expression in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective: To monitor the expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and changes in metabolic profiles among patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted using data for women treated at a hospital in China between October 8, 2014, and April 15, 2015. Patients diagnosed with GDM using an oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28weeks of pregnancy (n=50) were included. The control group comprised pregnant women without GDM (n=47). Serum levels of lncRNA MALAT1, lncRNA p21, and lncRNA H19 were assessed using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Plasma glucose and lipid levels were assessed biochemically. Results: The expression level of lncRNA MALAT1 was higher among the cases than the controls (P=0.007). Expression of IncRNA MALAT1 among the patients with GDM correlated with both lncRNA p21 (r=0.333, P=0.018) and lncRNA H19 (r=0.314, P=0.030). Levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol differed between the control group and patients with GDM (3.6 +/- 2.6mmol/L vs 3.8 +/- 1.5mmol/L and 6.54 +/- 1.30mmol/L vs 7.40 +/- 0.90mmol/L, respectively; P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.654 (95% confidence interval 0.543-0.768, P<0.001). Conclusion: Expression of lncRNA MALAT1 could offer a novel biomarker to predictGDM.