The possible role of visceral fat in early pregnancy as a predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus by regulating adipose-derived exosomes miRNA-148 family: protocol for a nested case-control study in a cohort study

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has become alarming public health concern. It is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and increased risk of postpartum type 2 diabetes. Pre-pregnant body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and other anthropometric parameters have been proposed to predict GDM. However, visceral fat thickness can better reflect the distribution of body fat, and may more accurately predict the risk of GDM. Visceral fat thickness may lead to insulin resistance by regulating the adipose-derived exosomes miRNA-148 family, which affect the development of GDM. Evidence from prospective cohort studies on visceral fat thickness as a predictor of GDM and the possible mechanisms is still insufficient. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we will recruit 3000 women at first antenatal visit between 4 and 12 weeks of gestation. Baseline socio-demographic factors and visceral fat thickness will be assessed by questionnaire form and the ultrasonic measurement, respectively. At 20 weeks of gestation, 10 ml blood samples will be drawn and we will extract adipose-derived exosomes miRNA on the basis of nested case-control study. GDM will be screened at 24–28 weeks’ gestation and the expression of miRNA-148 family between pregnant women with GDM and without GDM will be analyzed. Intermediary analysis will be used to investigate whether visceral fat thickness can predict GDM by regulating adipose-derived exosomes miRNA-148 family. DISCUSSION: We hypothesized that visceral fat thickness may predict GDM by regulating the miRNA-148 family of adipose-derived exosomes. The findings of the study will assist in further clarifying the pathophysiological mechanism of GDM, it will also provide technical support for effective screening of high-risk pregnant women with GDM. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-03737-1.