Serum trypsin inhibitory capacity in normal pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus

Background: Alpha-1-antitrpsin (AAT) is the main antiprotease of plasma. Concentration of serum alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) may not be delegate of the functional capacity of this antiprotease. To our knowledge there is not any report regarding the functional level of AAT in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of the present study was to determine serum trypsin inhibitory capacity (sTIC) in gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods: This case-control study was performed in 41 GDM and 40 healthy pregnant women. sTIC was measured by enzymatic assay. Results: The serum trypsin inhibitory capacity was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in GDM (5.84 +/- 2.27 mu mol/min/ml) than healthy pregnant women (7.24 +/- 1.91 mu mol/min/ml). Conclusion: In gestational diabetes mellitus reduction of serum trypsin inhibitory capacity may be due to non-enzymatic glycosylation of alpha-l-antitrypsin or oxidation of methionin in the active site of alpha-1-antitrypsin which remains to be cleared. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.