Association between environmental exposure, gut microbiome and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in Guangzhou, China

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent pregnancy complication. Both environmental changes and gut dysbiosis have been associated with increased risk of GDM. While environmental exposures may influence gut microbiome, the exact mechanisms linking these factors to GDM risk remain poorly understood. The study aimed to investigate the relationships between environmental exposures, gut microbiome and GDM risk. A population-based cohort study was conducted in Guangzhou, China from January 2017 to September 2017, enrolling 260 women with GDM and 508 normal pregnancies. Ambient pollution and meteorological exposures during different pregnancy windows were estimated for each participant. We identified the changes in gut microbiome characteristics related to environmental exposures. Temperature exposure during the preconception period was most strongly associated with alterations in the gut microbiome observed during the second trimester, particularly in women who developed GDM. Multivariate logistic regression and interaction analyses showed potential relationships between temperature exposure, gut microbiome and GDM risk. These findings contribute to the understanding of the relationship between environmental exposures, gut microbiome and GDM, providing insights into public health strategies to shield pregnant women from the detrimental effects of environmental exposures.