# The application of plasma circRAD18 in the prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its adverse effects

## TL;DR

This study explores how plasma circRAD18 levels can predict gestational diabetes and related complications in pregnant women.

## Contribution

The study identifies plasma circRAD18 as a potential biomarker for predicting gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

## Key findings

- Low plasma circRAD18 levels on the day of pregnancy confirmation are associated with a higher risk of gestational diabetes.
- Reduced circRAD18 levels are also linked to an increased risk of hypertension during pregnancy.
- circRAD18 levels did not correlate with other adverse outcomes like miscarriage or macrosomia.

## Abstract

In cancer biology, circRAD18 promotes glucose metabolism, potentially indicating its involvement in glucose metabolism-related disorders, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The present study investigated the predictive role of circRAD18 in GDM and its potential adverse effects.

A total of 482 women who intended to get pregnant in short-term were enrolled. For those who successfully conceived, plasma samples were collected and followed up until delivery to monitor the occurrence of GDM and its associated adverse events. The accumulation of circRAD18 in plasma was analyzed using RT-qPCR. GDM-free curves and ROC curves were plotted to assess the predictive value of plasma circRAD18 for GDM.

After admitting 482 female patients, 388 of them achieved pregnancy within half a year. During the follow-up period, 52 cases were diagnosed with GDM. Compared to non-GDM group (n = 336), the GDM group (n = 52) had a lower accumulation level of circRAD18 on the day of pregnancy confirmation. In addition, low levels of circRAD18 accumulation on that day distinguished potential GDM patients from non-GDM cases. The 388 cases were divided into high and low circRAD18 level groups (n = 194). GDM-free curve analysis showed that patients in the low circRAD18 level group had a higher incidence of GDM compared to the high level group (43/194 vs. 9/194). A close association was found between low levels of plasma circRAD18 and hypertension, but not premature delivery, intrauterine death, malformation, intrauterine infection, miscarriage, macrosomia or intrauterine distress.

The reduction in the accumulation of plasma circRAD18 is predictive of GDM and hypertension in pregnant women.