The aim of this study to determine the numbers of CD34+ cells and total nucleated cell (TNC) in umbilical cord blood (UCB)
collected from pregnant mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE), following statistical
analysis of both maternal and perinatal factors which affect UCB parameters. Most of studies explored the influence of
obstetric factors on the number of UCB cell collection and only a few looked at the effects on UCB haematopoietic stem
cell (UCB-HSC) of common disorders complicating pregnancy. A total of 112 UCB samples (32 PE, 42 GDM and 38 nondiseased) were collected. CD34+ cell and NC count were enumerated using FACS Calibur. The TNC and CD34+ cells were
significantly reduced in both PE and GDM groups as compared to the control group. The PE group shows significantly
lower birth weight and higher BP which led to a lower UCB volume and CD34+ count. Gestational age shows significant
correlation with nucleated cell count (NCC) and TNC. GDM group shows significantly lower systolic BP, NCC and TNC count,
including low placental weight and birth weight. Conclusively, some obstetrics factors have significant influences to the
numbers and quality of UCB-HSC in both PE and GDM groups, which could guide in the selection criteria for CB banking.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is associated with pregnancy complications, however its mechanism has not been fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for identifying candidate genes involve in risk factors and complications of GDM. A total of 174 pregnant women with GDM and 114 healthy pregnant women were genotyped with 384 SNPs from 236 genes. The SNPs identified were rs10946398 (CDKAL1) in GDM risk factors; rs328 (LPL) and rs1042778 (OXTR) in complications of caesarean section; rs5404 (SLC2A2), rs5400 (SLC2A2) and rs13306465 (IRS1) for neonatal intensive care admission. Whereby SNPs rs12255372, rs7901695 and rs7903146 from TCF7L2 gene had six times higher risk (OR, 6.40-6.53) for T2DM at postpartum. In conclusion, although the above SNPs were identified with GDM risk factors and complications among pregnant Malaysian women with GDM, a larger study is needed to ascertain this candidate genes actual association.
Endothelial cell death due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to the initial endothelial injury, which promotes atherosclerotic lesion formation. Piper sarmentosum (PS), a natural product, has been shown to have an antioxidant property, which is hypothesized to inhibit production of ROS and prevent cell injury. Thus, the present study was designed to determine the effects of PS on the hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced oxidative cell damage in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In this experiment, HUVECs were obtained by collagenase perfusion of the large vein in the umbilical cord and cultured in medium M200 supplemented with low serum growth supplementation (LSGS). HUVECs were treated with various concentrations of H(2)O(2) (0-1000 micromol/L) and it was observed that 180 micromol/L H(2)O(2) reduced cell viability by 50% as denoted by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Using the above concentration as the positive control, the H(2)O(2)-induced HUVECs were concomitantly treated with various concentrations (100, 150, 250 and 300 microg/ml) of three different extracts (aqueous, methanol and hexane) of PS. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in HUVECs compared to the negative control. However, PS extracts showed a protective effect on HUVECs from H(2)O(2)-induced cell apoptosis with a significant reduction in MDA, SOD, CAT and GPX levels (P<0.05). Furthermore, PS had exhibited ferric reducing antioxidant power with its high phenolic content. Hence, it was concluded that PS plays a beneficial role in reducing oxidative stress in H(2)O(2)-induced HUVECs.