When pregnant women have gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy), their babies can experience liver damage later in life. Researchers found that a natural nutrient called sialic acid, which is found in breast milk, may help protect babies’ livers from this damage. In a study with mice, mothers who received sialic acid supplements during pregnancy and nursing had offspring with healthier livers and less inflammation, even when exposed to gestational diabetes. This discovery suggests a simple, natural way to help prevent long-term health problems in children born to mothers with gestational diabetes.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether giving pregnant mice a nutrient called sialic acid could protect their babies’ livers from damage caused by gestational diabetes
  • Who participated: Three groups of pregnant mice: a healthy control group, a group with gestational diabetes, and a group with gestational diabetes that received sialic acid supplements. Their offspring (59 mice total) were studied at 8 weeks old
  • Key finding: Mice whose mothers received sialic acid supplements had significantly less liver damage, inflammation, and stress markers compared to mice whose mothers had gestational diabetes without the supplement. The protective effect was especially strong in male offspring
  • What it means for you: This research suggests that sialic acid—a nutrient naturally found in breast milk—might help protect babies from liver problems if their mothers had gestational diabetes during pregnancy. However, this is early-stage research in mice, and human studies are needed before any recommendations can be made

The Research Details

Researchers created three groups of pregnant mice to compare how gestational diabetes affects offspring and whether sialic acid could help. The first group was healthy (control), the second group had gestational diabetes induced by a special diet and injection, and the third group had gestational diabetes but also received sialic acid supplements through feeding tubes during pregnancy and nursing. All offspring were then fed a normal diet and studied at 8 weeks of age, which is equivalent to early adulthood in mice.

The researchers examined the mice’s livers in detail, measuring liver enzymes (which indicate damage), inflammation markers, oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules), and performed advanced testing to identify which metabolic pathways were affected. They also analyzed differences between male and female offspring to see if sex played a role in the protective effects.

This type of animal study is important because it allows researchers to carefully control all variables and examine internal organs directly, which cannot be done in human studies. The findings provide a foundation for understanding whether similar benefits might occur in humans.

Animal studies like this one are crucial for understanding how nutrients might protect developing babies before testing in humans. By using mice with similar genetics and controlled conditions, researchers can identify specific mechanisms—the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind health effects. This study is particularly important because gestational diabetes affects millions of pregnancies worldwide, and finding safe, natural ways to protect babies’ long-term health could have major public health benefits.

This study was published in The Journal of Nutrition, a respected peer-reviewed scientific journal. The research used established methods for inducing gestational diabetes in mice and measured multiple markers of liver health and damage. The sample size was moderate (59 offspring mice), which is typical for this type of controlled animal research. The study included both male and female offspring, allowing researchers to identify sex-specific effects. However, as an animal study, results may not directly translate to humans, and the dose and form of sialic acid used in mice may differ from what would be appropriate for people.

What the Results Show

Compared to healthy control mice, offspring from mothers with gestational diabetes showed significant liver damage, including elevated liver enzymes (AST and ALT), increased inflammation, and higher oxidative stress. These harmful changes were more pronounced in male offspring than females. When mothers received sialic acid supplements during pregnancy and nursing, their offspring showed substantial improvement: liver enzyme levels decreased, inflammatory markers were reduced, and oxidative stress was lowered.

The protective effects of sialic acid were particularly notable in male offspring, suggesting that sex may influence how this nutrient works. The improvements were not complete—sialic acid didn’t fully prevent all damage—but it significantly reduced the severity of liver injury caused by gestational diabetes exposure.

Metabolic analysis revealed that sialic acid worked by influencing how the liver processes fats and a compound called taurine. These metabolic pathways are important for protecting liver cells from damage and maintaining healthy liver function. The fact that sialic acid affected these specific pathways suggests a clear biological mechanism for its protective effects.

The research identified that gestational diabetes exposure affected multiple aspects of offspring health, not just simple liver damage. The metabolic changes suggested that gestational diabetes altered how offspring bodies process nutrients and manage cellular stress. Sialic acid’s ability to regulate lipid (fat) metabolism and the taurine pathway indicates it works through multiple protective mechanisms rather than a single effect. The sex differences observed—with males showing greater vulnerability and greater benefit from sialic acid—suggest that hormonal or genetic factors influence how gestational diabetes and protective nutrients affect developing babies.

Previous research has shown that gestational diabetes can cause lasting health problems in offspring, including increased risk of liver disease, metabolic disorders, and obesity. This study builds on that knowledge by identifying a specific nutrient that may help prevent these problems. Sialic acid is already known to have protective effects in the liver and is naturally present in breast milk, so this research connects existing knowledge about the nutrient’s benefits to a new application. The finding that sialic acid works through lipid and taurine metabolism aligns with other research showing these pathways are important in protecting against metabolic disease.

This study was conducted in mice, and results may not directly apply to humans due to differences in metabolism, genetics, and how the body processes nutrients. The sample size, while adequate for animal research, was relatively small. The study only examined offspring at one time point (8 weeks of age), so it’s unclear whether benefits persist longer or whether earlier intervention might be more effective. The sialic acid was given in a specific form and dose that may not translate directly to human supplementation. Additionally, the study didn’t examine whether sialic acid had any effects on the pregnant mice themselves or whether there might be any risks with long-term supplementation. Finally, this research was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting, which differs significantly from real-world conditions affecting human pregnancies.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research alone, sialic acid supplementation cannot yet be recommended for pregnant women with gestational diabetes. This is early-stage research in animals that provides promising biological evidence. Before any clinical recommendations can be made, human studies are needed to determine safe and effective doses, timing of supplementation, and whether benefits observed in mice translate to people. Women with gestational diabetes should continue following their doctor’s recommendations for managing blood sugar and maintaining a healthy diet. If interested in sialic acid or other supplements, they should discuss options with their healthcare provider.

This research is most relevant to pregnant women with gestational diabetes, their healthcare providers, and researchers studying ways to prevent long-term health problems in children. It may also interest parents concerned about metabolic health and nutrition during pregnancy. However, this is not yet actionable information for the general public. People without gestational diabetes should not assume sialic acid supplementation would benefit them based on this single study.

In this mouse study, protective effects were observed by 8 weeks of age (equivalent to early adulthood in mice). If similar effects occur in humans, benefits might develop during fetal development and early childhood. However, the timeline for human benefits, if any, remains unknown and would need to be determined through future research.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • For pregnant women with gestational diabetes (in consultation with their doctor), track blood sugar levels, liver enzyme tests (AST/ALT) if available, and inflammatory markers through regular medical checkups. Note any dietary sources of sialic acid consumed, including breast milk consumption by infants if applicable
  • While awaiting human research, pregnant women with gestational diabetes can focus on evidence-based approaches: maintaining stable blood sugar through diet and exercise, consuming nutrient-dense foods including those naturally containing sialic acid (like eggs and dairy), and ensuring regular prenatal care. Breastfeeding, which naturally provides sialic acid to infants, may offer additional benefits based on this research
  • Track pregnancy outcomes, offspring growth and development milestones, and liver health markers (through routine medical checkups) during childhood. Monitor for signs of metabolic problems or liver issues in children born to mothers with gestational diabetes, and maintain regular communication with healthcare providers about new research developments

This research is preliminary animal study data and should not be used to guide personal medical decisions. Gestational diabetes is a serious condition requiring medical supervision. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes should follow their healthcare provider’s recommendations for blood sugar management and prenatal care. Do not start any supplements during pregnancy without consulting your doctor, as safety in human pregnancy has not been established for most supplements. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to pregnancy care or supplementation.