Evaluation of n‐3 fatty acid status of pregnant women in Zambia with relation to HIV infection

Abstract

Malnutrition and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are independent risk factors for impairment of fetal and early childhood development, altered brain structure, and reduced cognitive function. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA (C22:6cisΔ 4,7,10,13,16,19 ω3)) is a fatty acid that is abundant in the brain, retina, and cerebral cortex. Additionally, DHA‐derived eicosanoids function in the resolution of inflammation. Thus, there it is hypothesized to be a link between DHA status, brain function and inflammation that may be critical in HIV positive pregnant women. Brain development and DHA incorporation into neuronal tissues occur largely during the last trimester of pregnancy to 24 months after birth. DHA may be acquired either through de novo synthesis from linolenic acid (LN (C18:3 cisΔ 9,12,15 ω3)) or from the diet. The present study was undertaken to evaluate DHA status in terms of dietary intake and plasma levels in pregnant women in Zambia, a country where food insecurity and HIV infection are highly prevalent. Initially, 113 women were enrolled in this study at the antenatal clinic of the Women and Children's Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. The participants completed a health and dietary questionnaire and then a fasting blood sample was acquired. Ultimately, 45 HIV seronegative and 46 HIV seropositive women were included in the study cohort. Pre‐pregnancy BMI had a mean of 22 and ranged from 17.9 to 24.9, thus none of the women were clinically underweight. Gestational age ranged from 20–29 weeks with an average of 22. Blood lipids were measured to quantitate and compare triglyceride, lipoprotein and total cholesterol, and fatty acid levels. Total fatty acid profiles were assessed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Essentially all participants reported eating fish on a regular basis averaging 2‐times per week and most (80%) consumed the small sardine‐like fresh water fish Kapenta, that is known to be relatively high in DHA. However, plasma fatty acid profiles indicated a high ω6 to ω3 ratio and low LN, EPA and DHA levels overall. There were no significant differences in these values between HIV seropositive and seronegative participants. Therefore, we propose DHA supplementation is warranted to raise blood DHA levels during pregnancy in Zambia to address both child development and the mother's health.Support or Funding InformationWorld Health Organization (WHO)Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experience (UCARE)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.