Veränderungen der Phospholipid- und Triglyzeridzusammensetzung im mütterlichen Blut bei Präeklampsien - Signifikant erniedrigte essentielle Fettsäuren

Abstract

Purpose: We conducted a study to evaluate the fatty acid status from maternal blood to see the possible roles of lipid metabolism in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Patients and Methods : 14 women with preeclampsia and 16 healthy control cases were evaluated. The mean gestational age for the first measurement was 35 in preeclampsia and 36 in controls with comparable body mass index. After the delivery we had another measurement on day five. The absolute level of phospholipid and triglycerid composition was determined after modified Folch lipid extraction with chloroform/ methanol, separation of lipid extract using prepacked Isolute-NH2-colums, transmethylation and gas-liquid chromatography with a capillary colum. Results: In preeclampsia there are elevated non-essential saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in both lipid classes compared with the control group, combined with a significant hypertriglyceridaemia (4.2 vs. 3.0 mmol/l). Also in the preeclampsia group, significantly lower concentration values in both lipid classes were found for the most important essential fatty acid for neural tissues, the nervonic acid (C22:6n-3) (0.10 vs. 0.19 mmol/l in triglycerid fraction and 0.31 vs. 0.48 mmol/l in phospholipid fraction). Besides this in the triglycerid fraction C 18:2n-6 was decreased in the preeclampsia group (0.21 vs. 0,29 mmol/l). Conclusion: Women with preeclampsia demonstrated higher non-essential and lower essential fatty acid status. The last one may be responsible for creating free radicals, which can destroy endothelial cells. This pattern concerns especially the important neuronal structure fatty acid C22:6n-3. Further investigation is necessary to clarify what the low concentration of nervonic acids means to the fetus. We speculate that changed lipid metabolism may contribute to the aetiology of PE.