Maternal Plasma Lipid Concentrations Research Articles

Maternal Plasma Lipid Concentration in Early Pregnancy and Risk of Preeclampsia

Objective: To determine the relationship between maternal plasma lipid concentration in early pregnancy and risk of preeclampsia. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Gynecology and Obstetrics Department Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, Jan 2019 to Jan 2020. Methodology: A total of 500 pregnant women who came for routine antenatal checkup and underwent serum lipid profile testing at 13th week of pregnancy were included in our study. They were followed up till the end of pregnancy for any signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia. Age and lipid profile parameters were correlated with the presence of preeclampsia in the study participants. Results: Out of 500 pregnant women studied, 443(88.6%) had no preeclampsia during the course of pregnancy while 53(11.4%) had preeclampsia. Mean age of participants was 33.72±6.731 years. With binary logistic regression analysis, it was found that raised levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol at 13 weeks of pregnancy had statistically significant relationship with presence of preeclampsia later among the target population. Conclusion: Deranged lipid profile emerged as strong predictor of preeclampsia in our target population. Raised total cholesterol level, triglyceride levels and low density lipoprotein levels were significantly more in patients who developed preeclampsia as compared to those who did not develop this condition.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and maternal dyslipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The association between intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and maternal lipid metabolism remains unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between ICP and maternal lipid metabolism. We systematically searched Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library (up to December 11, 2021) to identify relevant studies that investigated ICP and maternal plasma lipid concentrations. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects models. A subgroup analysis was conducted to identify the potential sources of heterogeneity. Potential publication bias was tested using funnel plots and the Egger's and Begg's tests. This meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021293783). Eleven studies were included in this qualitative analysis. A random-effects meta-analysis of data from the final included nine studies (n=786 participants) showed a significant association between ICP and maternal dyslipidemia, with elevated levels of triglycerides (WMD, 0.67 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.39-0.95; P < 0.001), total cholesterol (WMD, 1.08 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.58-1.58; P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD, 1.08 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.53-1.64; P < 0.001), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (WMD, -0.38 mmol/L; 95% CI -0.53 to -0.23; P < 0.001) vs normal pregnancies. The present study's findings support an association between ICP and maternal dyslipidemia. ICP pregnancies have dysregulated lipid metabolism vs normal pregnancies.

Placental Gene Co-expression Network for Maternal Plasma Lipids Revealed Enrichment of Inflammatory Response Pathways.

Maternal dyslipidemia during pregnancy has been associated with suboptimal fetal growth and increased cardiometabolic diseasse risk in offspring. Altered placental function driven by placental gene expression is a hypothesized mechanism underlying these associations. We tested the relationship between maternal plasma lipid concentrations and placental gene expression. Among 64 pregnant women from the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies–Singleton cohort with maternal first trimester plasma lipids we extracted RNA-Seq on placental samples obtained at birth. Placental gene co-expression networks were validated by regulatory network analysis that integrated transcription factors and gene expression, and genome-wide transcriptome analysis. Network analysis detected 24 gene co-expression modules in placenta, of which one module was correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.27, P-value = 0.03) and LDL-C (r = 0.31, P-value = 0.01). Genes in the module (n = 39 genes) were enriched in inflammatory response pathways. Out of the 39 genes in the module, three known lipid-related genes (MPO, PGLYRP1 and LTF) and MAGEC2 were validated by the regulatory network analysis, and one known lipid-related gene (ALX4) and two germ-cell development-related genes (MAGEC2 and LUZP4) were validated by genome-wide transcriptome analysis. Placental gene expression signatures associated with unfavorable maternal lipid concentrations may be potential pathways underlying later life offspring cardiometabolic traits. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT00912132.

Maternal plasma lipid concentration in third trimester of women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy

Background: Preeclampsia is one of complications of pregnancy. It is responsible for morbidity for mother and fetus. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy multisystem disorder. Abnormal lipid profile has an effect on endothelial dysfunction. The association of serum lipid profile with preeclampsia is suggested to reflect new diagnostic tools. Pregnancy dyslipidemia is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia. Compared to healthy pregnancy, women with preeclampsia have an abnormal lipid profile. Aim of the work: The aim of this work is comparison between normotensive women and preeclamptic women by serum lipid profile at third trimester. Patients and Methods: The present study conducted on 70 pregnant women in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at Al-Azhar University hospital [Damietta], which was conducted during 2019 [from April to December]. A study comprised 35 normotensive pregnant women as controls and 35 preeclampsia cases. The blood samples were analyzed for serum triglycerides [TGs], total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C], low-density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol [LDL-C], very low-density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol [VLDL-C], Apo lipoprotein- A1 [Apo-A1] and Apo lipoprotein- B[Apo-B].Results: There was significant difference between group A and B as regard Apo B/ Apo A1, cholesterol, TGS, LDL and VLDL. They are higher in group B.Conclusion: In the third trimester of pregnancy, preeclamptic women have altered levels of serum lipid profile. The most significant test is Apo B/A1 ratio with accuracy [72.7%].

Maternal plasma lipid concentration in first and second trimester of pregnancy and risk of preeclampsia

Maternal plasma lipid concentration in first and second trimester of pregnancy and risk of preeclampsia

Competition for Materno-Fetal Resource Partitioning in a Rabbit Model of Undernourished Pregnancy.

The major goal of animal production is to obtain abundant and healthy meat for consumers. Maternal food restriction (MFR) is often applied in farms to reduce production costs. However, the suitability of MFR in livestock animals is questionable, as this management may compromise maternal fitness due to a severe negative energetic balance and can induce Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) and prenatal programming in the offspring. Here, we sought to determine, using pregnant rabbits, the consequences of MFR on maternal endocrine and metabolic status and conceptus development. Pregnant dams were distributed into three groups: CONTROL (ad libitum feeding throughout the entire pregnancy; mean pregnancy length being around 31 days), UNDERFED (50% MFR during the entire pregnancy) and EARLY-UNDERFED (50% MFR only during the preimplantation period, Days 0–7). Maternal leptin concentrations and glycemic and lipid profiles were determined throughout pregnancy, whilst conceptus development was assessed ex-vivo at Day 28. Placental parameters were determined by macroscopic and histological evaluations and apoptotic assessments (TUNEL and Caspase-3). The main results of the study showed that, despite MFR altered maternal plasma lipid concentration (P<0.05), there were no effects on maternal bodyweight, plasma leptin concentration or glycemic profile. Fetal crown-rump lengths were reduced in both undernourished groups (P<0.001), but a significant reduction in fetal weight was only observed in the UNDERFED group (P<0.001). Growth in both undernourished groups was asymmetrical, with reduced liver weight (P<0.001) and significantly increased brain: fetal weight-ratio (P<0.001) and brain: liver weight-ratio (P<0.001) when compared to the CONTROL group. A significant reduction in placental weight was only observed in the UNDERFED group (P<0.001), despite both undernourished groups showing higher apoptotic rates at decidua and labyrinth zone (P<0.05) than the CONTROL group. Thus, these groups evidenced signs of placental degeneration, necrosis and stromal collapse. In summary, MFR may encourage the mother to make strategic decisions to safeguard her metabolic status and fitness at the expense of growth reduction in the litter, resulting in enhanced apoptotic and pathological processes at placental level and IUGR.

Maternal plasma cholesterol and duration of pregnancy: A prospective cohort study in Ghana.

Low plasma cholesterol may be associated with preterm birth; however, results are mixed and limited primarily to high-income countries. Our objective was to determine whether maternal plasma lipid concentrations are associated with pregnancy duration. We performed a nested cohort (n=320) study of pregnant Ghanaian women enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations were analyzed in plasma at ≤20and 36weeks gestation as continuous variables and also categorized into low, referent, or high (<10th, 10th-90th, >90th percentile). At ≤20weeks, plasma lipid concentrations were not associated with pregnancy duration. At 36weeks, total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were not associated with pregnancy duration. Higher HDL-C at 36weeks was associated with a longer pregnancy duration (adjusted β-coefficient±standard error: 0.05±0.02daysmg-1 /dL, p=.02); pregnancy duration was 5.9±2.0 (mean±standard error)days shorter among women with low HDL-C compared with the referent group (10th-90th percentile) (p=.02) and 8.6±2.6days shorter when compared with the high HDL-C group (p=.003). Pregnancy duration was 4.9±2.1days longer among women with low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol at 36weeks gestation when compared with the referent group (p=.051). Our data suggest that low HDL-C in the third trimester of pregnancy is associated with a shorter duration of pregnancy in this study population but do not support the hypothesis that low total cholesterol is associated with a shorter pregnancy duration.

Early pregnancy lipid concentrations and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus

The objective of this study was to determine if early pregnancy maternal plasma lipid concentrations are elevated in women who later developed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as compared with women who do not. Women, recruited prior to 16 weeks gestation, were followed until delivery. Maternal plasma lipid concentrations were measured in samples collected at 13 weeks gestation on average. Generalized linear models were used to estimate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). 5.5% of the cohort (47/851) developed GDM. Elevated triglyceride (TG) was positively associated with GDM risk ( p for trend <0.001). After adjusting for maternal pre-pregnancy adiposity and other confounders, women with TG concentrations ≥137 mg/dl experienced a 3.5-fold increased risk of GDM (95% CI: 1.1–10.5) as compared with women who had concentrations <96 mg/dl. We noted a linear component of trend in risk of GDM with increasing plasma TG. Each 20 mg/dl increase in TG was associated with a 10% increase in GDM risk (RR = 1.1; 95% CI: 1.0–1.3). Associations between GDM risk and plasma concentrations of other lipids (i.e., total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein) were not evident. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings and to identify modifiable determinants of pregnancy-associated dyslipidemia.

Maternal plasma lipid concentrations in early pregnancy and risk of preeclampsia

Background We investigated the relationship between early pregnancy plasma lipid concentrations and risk of preeclampsia. Methods In a prospective cohort study, maternal blood samples were collected at an average of 13 weeks gestation. From the cohort, we selected 57 women who developed preeclampsia and 510 who remained normotensive and served as control subjects. Plasma lipid concentrations were measured enzymatically by standardized assays. Logistic regression procedures were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Women who subsequently developed preeclampsia had 10.4%, 13.6%, and 15.5% higher concentrations of LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL/HDL ratios, respectively, than did control subjects ( P < .05). The HDL cholesterol concentrations were 7.0% lower in women with preeclampsia than in control subjects ( P < .05). After adjustment, there was a 3.60-fold increase in risk of preeclampsia among women with total cholesterol >205 mg/dL (95% CI 1.23 to 10.51) and a 4.15-fold increase in the risk of preeclampsia among women with triglyceride levels >133 mg/dL (95% CI 1.50 to 11.49). A linear increase in preeclampsia risk was observed with increasing tertiles of LDL cholesterol, triglyceride concentrations, and LDL/HDL ratio (all P < .05 for trend). Conclusion Early pregnancy dyslipidemia is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia. This association may be significant in understanding the pathologic processes of preeclampsia and may help in developing strategies for prevention or early diagnosis of the disorder.

Plasma lipid concentrations in preeclamptic and normotensive Peruvian women

Objectives: Dyslipidemia is thought to be of etiological importance in preeclampsia. We studied the relationship between maternal plasma lipid concentrations and risk of preeclampsia. Methods: A total of 125 preeclampsia cases and 179 normotensive control subjects were included in this case-control study conducted in Lima, Peru, between August 1997 and January 1998. Post-diagnosis, antepartum plasma lipid profiles were determined by standard enzymatic methods. Logistic regression procedures were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Mean plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were, on average, 6% and 21% higher in preeclamptics than controls, respectively. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations were, on average, 9% lower in cases than controls. After adjusting for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, education, parity and other potential confounders, the risk of preeclampsia increased with successively higher quartiles of plasma triglyceride (adjusted OR: 1.00, 1.62, 2.21, 5.00, with the lowest quartile as referent; P-value for trend <0.001). The association between preeclampsia risk and plasma total cholesterol was much less pronounced. In general, there was an inverse association between preeclampsia risk and HDL cholesterol concentration (adjusted OR: 1.00, 0.41, 0.50, 0.38, with the first quartile as the referent group; P-value for trend =0.02). Conclusions: These findings suggest that high triglyceride and low HDL cholesterol concentrations are important risk factors for preeclampsia among Peruvian women.

Fetal and maternal plasma lipids in chronically catheterized mares in late gestation: effects of different nutritional states.

The effects of different nutritional states on plasma lipid concentrations have been examined in pregnant mares and their fetuses. Maternal and fetal arterial catheters were inserted into 12 pony mares between 244-303 days' gestation (term 320-360 days) and observations made from 5 days following the insertion of catheters. After recovery from surgery maternal and fetal arterial samples were withdrawn from 7 mares with normal feeding patterns (Group IA), from four of these mares at the end of a 30 h fast and 3 h later following refeeding (Group IB) and six mares who failed to re-establish normal feeding patterns (Group II). The fatty acid concentrations and composition of the plasma free fatty acid (FFA), triacylglycerol and phospholipid fractions were analysed. Maternal FFA, triacylglycerol and phospholipid concentrations were significantly raised in the fasted (Group IB) and under-fed (Group II) mares. Fetal concentrations of FFA and phospholipid increased significantly in the group of under-fed (Group II) mares but not in the fasted (Group IB) mares. In the fetal plasma the proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from essential fatty acids in the FFA and phospholipid fractions were much higher than those in the mare. In the fasted (IB) and under-fed (II) groups the relative amounts of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in each fraction remained unchanged (P > 0.05). These results show a short fast or prolonged undernutrition result in raised maternal plasma lipid concentrations which in turn can effect the total amount of lipid in the fetal circulation. However any increases in polyunsaturated fatty acids in the fetus (e.g. in Group II) are unlikely to come from the maternal circulation; likely sources of these fatty acids are the placenta or fetal tissues.