OBJECTIVETo identify the serum protein markers for the gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) complicated by pregnancy-induced hypertensive (PIH) syndrome to provide a molecular biological basis for the screening, prevention and therapy of the related diseases.

METHODSSerum samples were collected from the patients with GDM, PIH syndrome, and GDM complicated by PIH syndrome. IgG and albumins were removed from the samples before SDS -PAGE. The protein bands showing significant differences among the 3 samples were collected, digested and identified with mass spectrometry, and the function of the identified proteins was analyzed.

RESULTSThree SDS-PAGE were performed in parallel to confirm the differentially expressed proteins. Mass spectrometry indicated that the proteins showing obvious differences among the 3 samples were haptoglobin, protein SMG8 and apoptosis-inducing factor-1.

CONCLUSIONSThe protein markers identified in GDM complicated by PIH syndrome may be integrated into the proteomic database of gestational metabolic diseases. Identification of the associated protein markers may provide significant experimental data for the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of the related diseases.