Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus have preserved sensory nerve-mediated dilatation in the cutaneous microvasculature

Grace S Maurer; Kelsey S Schwartz; Diana I Jalal; Anna E Stanhewicz

doi:10.1113/EP093827

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Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus have preserved sensory nerve-mediated dilatation in the cutaneous microvasculature

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Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus have preserved sensory nerve-mediated dilatation in the cutaneous microvasculature

Grace S Maurer, Kelsey S Schwartz, Diana I Jalal and Anna E Stanhewicz

Experimental physiology

09/23/2026

DOI: 10.1113/EP093827

PMID: 42775825

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Abstract

Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease than healthy control (HC) women who had an uncomplicated pregnancy. Microvascular endothelial dysfunction, mediated by reduced nitric oxide (NO)-dependent mechanisms, persists after GDM. However, it is unknown whether cutaneous sensory nerve-mediated dilatation is similarly reduced in these women. We hypothesised that women with a history of GDM would exhibit attenuated sensory nerve-mediated vasodilatation compared with HC women. One intradermal microdialysis fibre was placed in the ventral forearm of 30 HC and 22 GDM women for the local delivery of lactated Ringer's solution during a local heating protocol (42°C; 0.1°C s ). The heater remained at 42°C until blood flow plateaued (∼40 min). Next, the site was perfused with 15 mM N -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (a NO synthase inhibitor; ∼40 min) to determine NO-dependent dilatation. Red blood cell flux was measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF). Cutaneous vascular conductance was calculated (CVC = LDF/mean arterial pressure) and normalized to maximum (28 mM sodium nitroprusside + local heat 43°C). The initial sensory nerve-mediated peak response was not different between groups (P = 0.623). The endothelium-dependent plateau (P < 0.001) and NO contribution to the plateau (P < 0.01) were attenuated in GDM compared with HC women. Our findings suggest that despite reductions in endothelium- and NO-dependent dilatation, women who had GDM do not exhibit impairments in local cutaneous sensory nerve-mediated vasodilatation compared with HC women.

sensory nerve

gestational diabetes

microvasculature

Details

Title: Subtitle: Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus have preserved sensory nerve-mediated dilatation in the cutaneous microvasculature
Creators: Grace S Maurer - University of Iowa
Kelsey S Schwartz - University of Iowa
Diana I Jalal - University of Iowa
Anna E Stanhewicz - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Experimental physiology
DOI: 10.1113/EP093827
PMID: 42775825
NLM abbreviation: Exp Physiol
ISSN: 1469-445X
eISSN: 1469-445X
Publisher: Wiley
Grant note: NIH UM1TR004403 (UI ICTS) / National Instutes of Health T32 HL007344 / NHLBI NIH HHS NIH HL169201 (A.E.S.) / National Instutes of Health R01 HL169201 / NHLBI NIH HHS T32 HL007344 (K.S.S.) / National Instutes of Health UM1 TR004403 / NCATS NIH HHS F31 HL177925 / NHLBI NIH HHS NIH F31HL177925 (G.S.M.) / National Instutes of Health
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 09/23/2026
Academic Unit: Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Nephrology; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology ; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9985236420302771

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