Repression of oxidant-induced nuclear factor-κB activity mediates placental cytokine responses in gestational diabetes

Abstract

Although oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, limited data are available regarding its role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a disease of similar pathophysiology. The proinflammatory cytokines TNFa, IL-6, and IL-8 are released from the placenta at term and have been implicated in and/or associated with various metabolic events, including decreased insulin sensitivity. Previously we reported differences in the ex situ release of proinflammatory cytokines from placental and adipose tissues obtained from women with and without GDM. We proposed that these differences reflect preexposure and/or adaptation to oxidative stress by GDM tissues. In this s..