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Association of Glutathione Peroxidase Activity with Insulin Resistance and Dietary Fat Intake during Normal Pregnancy

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (X.C., T.O.S.) and Surgery (M.J.L., M.R.D., T.P.S.), University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey 08084

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Theresa O. Scholl, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey–School of Osteopathic Medicine, Two Medical Drive, Science Center, Suite 185, Stratford, New Jersey 08084. E-mail: scholl{at}umdnj.edu.

Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is one of the most important antioxidant enzymes in humans. We studied the relationship between erythrocyte GPx activity and fasting serum insulin, plasma glucose, and C-peptide, estimates of insulin resistance from the homeostasis model of assessment as well as dietary fat intake in 408 normotensive nondiabetic pregnant women from Camden, NJ. GPx activity and the metabolic parameters were determined at entry to care (16 wk of pregnancy) and during the third trimester. GPx activity and the levels of insulin resistance increased significantly between entry and the third trimester. Statistically significant associations, all positive, were observed between GPx activity and fasting insulin (ß = 0.009, P < 0.001), glucose (ß = 0.975, P < 0.05), C-peptide (ß = 1.537, P < 0.01), and insulin resistance from the homeostasis model of assessment (ß = 0.209, P < 0.01). Dietary intakes of fat and polyunsaturated fatty acids were positively correlated with GPx activity as well. African Americans had significantly higher GPx activity, dietary fat, and polyunsaturated fatty acid intake than Hispanics and Caucasians. In conclusion, we demonstrated that normal pregnancy is associated with increased GPx activity and insulin resistance. There are ethnic differences in antioxidant response and dietary fat intake. Our findings suggest a potential link among antioxidant defenses, insulin resistance, and dietary fat intake.

This work was supported by Grants HD18269 and HD38329 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Abbreviations: BMI, Body mass index; FFA, free fatty acid; GPx, glutathione peroxidase; GSH, oxidation of glutathione; Hb, hemoglobin; HOMA IR, homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance; n-3 FA, n-3 fatty acid; n-6 FA, n-6 fatty acid; PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acid.

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