Role of autophagy in gestational diabetes mellitus / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Autophagy is the process by which cells remove unnecessary or damaged cells or parts of cells, to allow for their orderly renewal. It occurs commonly in body cells, and is considered as a protection for cells and maintaining normal function and tissue structure in cells, such as human placental tissues. However, excessive autophagy can lead to cell death and pathological damage in tissue. An excessive autophagy response to hyperglycemia in women with gestational diabetes mellitus inhibits angiogenesis in the placenta, resulting in tissue ischemia and hypoxia, increased level of reactive oxygen species, and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.