Amino acid profiles in early diabetic and non-diabetic pregnancy.

Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in six insulin-dependent diabetic women and seven non-diabetic women in early pregnancy while fasting and one hour after a standard meal. Fasting plasma levels of total amino acids and individual amino acids were similar in the two groups, excepting isoleucine, which was raised in the diabetics. One hour post-prandially total amino acid concentrations were similar in the two groups; however, mean concentrations of total branched chain amino acids and mean concentration of the individual amino acids, serine, valine, isoleucine, leucine and tyrosine were elevated in the diabetics. Amino acids are important in early islet development and in insulin secretion from fetal pancreas in vitro. The elevated post-prandial amino acid levels found in pregnant diabetics in early pregnancy may contribute to fetal islet hypertrophy and hyperinsulinaemia.