Tissue-specific HGF and soluble c-MET levels in gestational diabetes mellitus: insights into maternal-endocrine crosstalk and fetal metabolic adaptation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-MET signaling regulates glucose metabolism and tissue remodeling, but its role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate maternal serum HGF and soluble c-MET (sc-MET) levels, their tissue expression in placenta and maternal visceral adipose tissue, and their associations with obstetric and perinatal outcomes in GDM.

Methods

In this retrospective observational, cross-sectional study, 76 pregnant women (32 GDM, 44 normal glucose tolerance) were enrolled. Serum HGF and sc-MET were measured by ELISA; placental and visceral-fat HGF/c-MET expression was analyzed by RT-PCR and western blot. Clinical variables, including umbilical-cord blood gas and glucose values, were evaluated.

Results

Materna

SUBMITTER: Jung YW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12766565 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature