ANGPTL2

This prospective, nested case-control study investigated the association between first-trimester serum levels of angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) and the subsequent risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). ANGPTL2 concentrations were measured in 89 women who developed GDM and 177 women who remained euglycemic throughout pregnancy. Results revealed significantly higher median serum ANGPTL2 levels in women with GDM compared to those without GDM (3.06 [2.59, 3.65] ng/ml vs. 2.46 [2.05, 2.96] ng/ml, P = 0.003). Additionally, women with GDM exhibited higher fasting blood glucose (5.0 ± 0.9 mmol/L vs. 4.4 ± 0.6 mmol/L, P < 0.001) and elevated glucose challenge test results (9.1 ± 3.5 mmol/L vs. 6.2 ± 1.2 mmol/L, P < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that women in the highest ANGPTL2 quartile (Q4) had a 2.90-fold increased risk of developing GDM compared to those in the lowest quartile (Q1). These findings suggest that elevated first-trimester ANGPTL2 levels are associated with an increased risk of GDM and may be used in combination with maternal factors for effective early screening and risk stratification.