The impact of environmental and dietary exposure on gestational diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review emphasizing the role of oxidative stress

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication closely associated with maternal oxidative and antioxidant imbalance, known as oxidative stress. Environmental and dietary exposure plays an important role in inducing oxidative stress during pregnancy. This review aims to provid...

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Main Authors: Congcong Sun, Jiaying Shen, Rujing Fang, Huiya Huang, Yanan Lai, Yanjun Hu, Jianqiong Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1393883/full
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author Congcong Sun
Jiaying Shen
Rujing Fang
Huiya Huang
Yanan Lai
Yanjun Hu
Jianqiong Zheng
author_facet Congcong Sun
Jiaying Shen
Rujing Fang
Huiya Huang
Yanan Lai
Yanjun Hu
Jianqiong Zheng
author_sort Congcong Sun
collection DOAJ
description Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication closely associated with maternal oxidative and antioxidant imbalance, known as oxidative stress. Environmental and dietary exposure plays an important role in inducing oxidative stress during pregnancy. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the role of oxidative stress induced by environmental and dietary exposure in GDM while incorporating current research frontiers. Environmental pollution, smoking, excessive nutrition, and unhealthy eating habits such as a high-fat diet and vitamin deficiency, may contribute to the generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress. Within the pathway of oxidative stress in GDM, the production and clearance mechanisms of ROS play a pivotal role. Relevant studies have demonstrated that ROS production is closely linked to insulin resistance, adipose tissue accumulation, inflammation, and other pathological processes. Antioxidant substances like vitamins C and E or glutathione can mitigate oxidative stress damage on pregnant women and fetuses by scavenging ROS. Currently, there remain several cutting-edge issues regarding the involvement of the oxidative stress pathway in GDM pathogenesis as well as its relationship with environmental and dietary factors, for instance: how to reduce maternal oxidative stress levels through dietary adjustments or lifestyle modifications; how antioxidant substances can be utilized for intervention treatment; and accurate assessment methods for maternal oxidative stress status along with its association with GDM risk. In conclusion, environmental and dietary factors exert significant influence on GDM pathogenesis while highlighting increasing attention toward understanding the role played by the oxidative stress pathway within this context. In-depth research endeavors within this field are anticipated to offer novel insights into prevention strategies as well as therapeutic approaches for GDM.
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spelling doaj-art-b1a07dc6500a46f7a1bc7bd5f513a9fe2025-08-20T01:51:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-04-011610.3389/fendo.2025.13938831393883The impact of environmental and dietary exposure on gestational diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review emphasizing the role of oxidative stressCongcong Sun0Jiaying Shen1Rujing Fang2Huiya Huang3Yanan Lai4Yanjun Hu5Jianqiong Zheng6Department of Scientific Research Center, The Third Clinical Institute Affiliated of Wenzhou Medical University, The Third Affiliated of Shanghai University, Wenzhou People’s Hospital, Wenzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wenzhou People’s Hospital, Postgraduate Training Base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wenzhou People’s Hospital, Postgraduate Training Base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Reproduction and Genetics, The Third Clinical Institute Affiliated of Wenzhou Medical Department of Reproduction and Genetics, The Third Clinical Institute Affiliated of Wenzhou Medical University, The Third Affiliated of Shanghai University, Wenzhou People’s Hospital, Wenzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Clinical Institute Affiliated of Wenzhou Medical University, The Third Affiliated of Shanghai University, Wenzhou People’s Hospital, Wenzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Clinical Institute Affiliated of Wenzhou Medical University, The Third Affiliated of Shanghai University, Wenzhou People’s Hospital, Wenzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Wenzhou, ChinaGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication closely associated with maternal oxidative and antioxidant imbalance, known as oxidative stress. Environmental and dietary exposure plays an important role in inducing oxidative stress during pregnancy. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the role of oxidative stress induced by environmental and dietary exposure in GDM while incorporating current research frontiers. Environmental pollution, smoking, excessive nutrition, and unhealthy eating habits such as a high-fat diet and vitamin deficiency, may contribute to the generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress. Within the pathway of oxidative stress in GDM, the production and clearance mechanisms of ROS play a pivotal role. Relevant studies have demonstrated that ROS production is closely linked to insulin resistance, adipose tissue accumulation, inflammation, and other pathological processes. Antioxidant substances like vitamins C and E or glutathione can mitigate oxidative stress damage on pregnant women and fetuses by scavenging ROS. Currently, there remain several cutting-edge issues regarding the involvement of the oxidative stress pathway in GDM pathogenesis as well as its relationship with environmental and dietary factors, for instance: how to reduce maternal oxidative stress levels through dietary adjustments or lifestyle modifications; how antioxidant substances can be utilized for intervention treatment; and accurate assessment methods for maternal oxidative stress status along with its association with GDM risk. In conclusion, environmental and dietary factors exert significant influence on GDM pathogenesis while highlighting increasing attention toward understanding the role played by the oxidative stress pathway within this context. In-depth research endeavors within this field are anticipated to offer novel insights into prevention strategies as well as therapeutic approaches for GDM.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1393883/fullgestational diabetes mellitusoxidative stressreactive oxygen speciestreatmentenvironmental exposuredietary exposure
spellingShingle Congcong Sun
Jiaying Shen
Rujing Fang
Huiya Huang
Yanan Lai
Yanjun Hu
Jianqiong Zheng
The impact of environmental and dietary exposure on gestational diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review emphasizing the role of oxidative stress
Frontiers in Endocrinology
gestational diabetes mellitus
oxidative stress
reactive oxygen species
treatment
environmental exposure
dietary exposure
title The impact of environmental and dietary exposure on gestational diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review emphasizing the role of oxidative stress
title_full The impact of environmental and dietary exposure on gestational diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review emphasizing the role of oxidative stress
title_fullStr The impact of environmental and dietary exposure on gestational diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review emphasizing the role of oxidative stress
title_full_unstemmed The impact of environmental and dietary exposure on gestational diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review emphasizing the role of oxidative stress
title_short The impact of environmental and dietary exposure on gestational diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review emphasizing the role of oxidative stress
title_sort impact of environmental and dietary exposure on gestational diabetes mellitus a comprehensive review emphasizing the role of oxidative stress
topic gestational diabetes mellitus
oxidative stress
reactive oxygen species
treatment
environmental exposure
dietary exposure
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1393883/full
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