Circulating RANKL is required for glucose homeostasis during pregnancy

Circulating RANKL is required for glucose homeostasis during pregnancy. Download PDF Abstract Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses a significant health burden on women worldwide, necessitating the search for predictive, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Increasing evidence suggests that the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) is closely associated with GDM, and this study explored whether RANKL can be used as a biomarker for GDM.

A cross-sectional study included 399 women at 24–28 weeks of gestation, including 101 with GDM and 298 without GDM. Multivariable logistic regression, restricted cubic splines and receiver operating characteristic curve were used. An HFD-induced pregnancy-associated glucose-intolerance mouse model and JEG-3/HTR-8 trophoblast cells were used for experimental validation.

Higher circulating RANKL was inversely associated with GDM after multivariable adjustment [OR = 0.994 (95% CI, 0.990–0.997)]. Adding RANKL to maternal covariates increased the area under curve from 0.711 to 0.785 ( p < 0.001). RANKL treatment improved glucose and insulin tolerance in HFD-fed pregnant mice.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals for medical decisions and treatment options.