Metabolic Profile Study in ICP and GDM
This study is now closed.
Full Title: A longitudinal study of alterations in metabolic markers and gut hormones in pregnant and non-pregnant patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus and normal pregnant and non-pregnant controls
Short Title: The metabolic profile study in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus
Ethics Ref: 11/LO0396
Sponsor: Imperial College London
This study is taking place at Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital, London; West Middlesex Hospital; and St Thomas’ Hospital, London.
This is a really interesting and important study, as it includes women with two conditions – intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
There is evidence to suggest that how lipid (fats) and glucose (sugars) work is altered in an ICP pregnancy. Researchers already know that lipids rise in pregnancy, but in an ICP pregnancy they appear to rise even further and the impact of this (if any) is not fully understood. In GDM women have raised glucose levels (as a result of problems with insulin production) that may require them to take medication and which can also lead to complications such as large-for-gestational-age babies and stillbirth. More recently, researchers have started to observe that ICP and GDM may overlap; why this happens is not fully understood, but could be linked to hormone-signals.
The team’s theories are that there may be a relationship between cholestasis and abnormalities of lipid and glucose homeostasis (the regulation of something) in the mother and the baby. They also wonder if the placenta plays a role in this regulation and whether some of the hormone-signals that cause ICP-associated GDM may also cause GDM in non-cholestatic women.
Study objectives and outcomes
Objectives
- To evaluate the relationship between bile acid, lipid and glucose metabolites in the mother and fetus in ICP, GDM and uncomplicated pregnancies.
Outcomes
Primary outcome:
- To establish whether raised serum bile acids are associated with abnormalities in cholesterol and triglycerides in the mother and fetus
Secondary outcome
- To establish the relationship between raised serum bile acids in the mother and fetus and abnormalities in:
- Glucose homeostasis
- Gut liver signaling hormones related to FGF 19 and C4 levels
- Gut hormone secretion
To be able to participate in this study you need to be over 16 and able to travel to Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital, London. You would need to be there from 7:50 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The team would like to hear from pregnant and non-pregnant women (but you need to have had a baby). Have a look at the information sheets, and if you would like to know more or think you may be able to take part please email Jenny Chambers: jennychambers@icpsupport.org. Contacting Jenny does not commit you to taking part; nor does it commit the hospitals to including you in the study.