Date of Award

12-2022

Degree Name

MS in Nutrition

Department/Program

Food Science and Nutrition

College

College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Advisor

Michael La Frano

Advisor Department

Food Science and Nutrition

Advisor College

College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy and negatively affects the mother and her child. Research suggests a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention may aid in the reduction of GDM and its complications. Further, the use of metabolomics is needed to understand the alterations that happen prior to GDM diagnosis to reduce its recurrence.

Objective: Metabolomics analysis was conducted at baseline and 16-weeks post-intervention for women enrolled in a pre-pregnancy lifestyle intervention study to observe metabolic changes associated with GDM occurrence and weight loss.

Methodology: Sixteen samples from the parent Gestational Diabetes Prevention trial were included in this ancillary pilot study. Plasma samples were analyzed using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) with assays from primary metabolomics, lipidomics, and biogenic amines. Plasma metabolite comparisons were made between participants in the lifestyle intervention (n=9) versus the standard care group (n=7).

Results: The lifestyle intervention did not have an impact of GDM or BMI outcomes but did lower blood pressure (p

Discussion: Although this pilot study did not observe an effect of the intervention on GDM recurrence, further research including all trial participants is required to make a more definitive conclusion regarding the impact of a lifestyle intervention on GDM prevention and the associated metabolite changes.

Available for download on Friday, December 05, 2025

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