Evaluation of Malondialdehyde (MDA) Levels and Some Inflammatory Cytokines as Early Biomarkers for the Detection of Gestational Diabetes in Kirkuk City

Gestational diabetes is a glucose intolerance disorder that occurs during pregnancy because hormonal and immunological changes increase insulin resistance, including elevated inflammatory cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6), which impair cells' response to insulin. This study aimed to evaluate physiological and immune variables associated with gestational diabetes, including malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH), IL-6, and TNF-α. (60) blood samples were collected from pregnant women in the (10-12) weeks of pregnancy with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 (A). After follow-up in the second trimester (20-24 weeks), they were divided into two groups (B and C) based on blood glucose levels. The results showed a significant increase(P<0.001) in both fasting blood sugar (FBS) and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), As for oxidative stress markers such as glutathione (GSH) there were no significant differences (P>0.05), but MDA record high significant differences(P<0.001), likewise for inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in obese pregnant women with Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared to those without GDM in the first trimester. In conclusion, elevated levels of FBS, HbA1c, and insulin resistance, along with increased oxidative stress and inflammation markers, were evident in pregnant women diagnosed with GDM relative to non-GDM pregnant women.