Investigation of the Triglyceride–Glucose Index as a Marker of Metabolic Dysfunction during Late Pregnancy

Introduction and Objective: Previous work indicates the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index can be used as predictor of gestational diabetes. Less is known about the relationship between TyG index and other markers of metabolic dysfunction during pregnancy. This study determined if TyG index is related to insulin resistance and inflammation in late pregnancy. Methods: Triglyceride, glucose, and insulin values were assessed during late pregnancy (N=62, 34.4±1.7 weeks gestation) at fasting and 1, 2, and 4hrs after a high-fat meal. C reactive protein (CRP) was assessed at fasting and 4hrs post-meal. Fasting triglycerides and glucose were used to calculate TyG index. HOMA-IR and MATSUDA were calculated. Insulin and glucose response to the meal were calculated as area under the curve (AUC) using all 4 timepoints. Potential correlations were assessed using SPSS. Results: TyG index was significantly correlated to insulin AUC, glucose AUC, fasting and postprandial CRP, HOMA-IR, and MATSUDA index (p<0.05)(Table), even after controlling for pre-pregnancy BMI. Conclusion: TyG index is associated with other established markers of metabolic dysfunction during late pregnancy. The ability to detect metabolic dysfunction during pregnancy has the potential to impact the immediate and future health of both mother and infant. Future work should assess the clinical utility of using the TyG index as a potential biomarker for adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Disclosure: J.M. Mills: None. R. Purvis: None. C.G. Tucker: None. D.D. Pearson: None. N. Zite: Research Support; Merck & Co., Inc. K.B. Fortner: Other Relationship; Pfizer Inc. C. Reeder: None. M.M. Blankenship: None. R.A. Tinius: Stock/Shareholder; Bumptup Labs INC. J.M. Locklear: None. J.M. Maples: None. Funding: NIH (5P20GM103436), WKU (17-8011), UTGSM Women in Science.