Diurnal variations in blood intermediary metabolites in mild gestational diabetic patients and the effect of a carbohydrate-restricted diet

Abstract

Twenty-four-hour metabolic profiles were performed in the third trimester of pregnancy in seven non-diabetic women (group A) and in two groups of mild gestational diabetics, at diagnosis (group B, seven patients) and after treatment with a 150-g carbohydrate diet (group C, seven patients). Mean 24-h blood metabolite levels (± SD) in groups A, B and C were: glucose: 4.65±0.82, 5.35±3.06 and 5.40±1.7 mmol/l; lactate: 1.05±0.18, 1.14±0.42 and 0.78 ±0.22mmol/l; alanine: 0.31±0.03, 0.31±0.10 and 0.27±0.07 mmol/l; ketone bodies: 0.11±0.04, 0.19 ±0.05 and 0.26±0.15mmol/l. Glucose levels were not significantly different between the groups. Ketone body levels were elevated in the diabetics prior to treatment (p < 0.01) and rose higher on diet. Lactate levels were reduced on the diet (0.05 < P < 0.10). Abnormalities in the concentrations of total blood ketone body levels in gestational diabetics may be detrimental to fetal development and therapy should be designed to minimise changes in intermediary metabolites. © 1982 Springer-Verlag.