RRR-a- Tocopherol and Trans-Lutein Are Predominated in Chinese Maternal and Cord Blood Plasma

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the concentrations of a-tocopherol structural isomers, a-tocopherol stereoisomers, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene in maternal-cord blood and investigate the relationships between them. Methods 37 paired maternal-cord plasma samples were collected from healthy subjects of full-term, singleton delivery. Tocopherols and carotenoids were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector and multiple wavelength detector, respectively. The percentages of the natural RRR and synthetic configurations were also measured. Results Cord blood plasma contained significantly lower levels of total tocopherols and carotenoids (P < 0.001) than maternal plasma. α-tocopherol, mainly as the natural RRR-α-tocopherol (∼78%), and lutein, mainly as trans-lutein (78.77–83.16%), were two most abundant tocopherols and carotenoids in maternal and cord blood plasma. Comparing with maternal plasma, α-/γ-tocopherol ratio in cord plasma was 1.6 times higher. Besides, the percentages of lutein and zeaxanthin of total carotenoids were both remarkably higher in cord blood plasma than in maternal plasma while the percentage of lycopene and β-carotene were the opposite. The levels of carotenoids in cord blood plasma were correlated with the levels in maternal plasma while the level of a-tocopherols showed no correlation between maternal plasma and cord blood plasma. Conclusions These findings revealed that RRR-α-tocopherol and trans-lutein were the predominant forms of tocopherol and carotenoids in maternal and cord blood plasma. These data also indicated that maternal carotenoids levels may impact the neonatal carotenoids levels. On the basis of these findings, investigation into the impact of different levels of α-tocopherol stereoisomers and carotenoids on the growth development of new born will be needed. Funding Sources This reserach was funded by Abbott Nutrition.