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Fetal erythrocyte phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acids are altered in pregnancy complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus

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Lipids

Abstract

Insulin resistance and altered maternal metabolism in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may impair fetal arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status. The objectives were to test the hypothesis that fetal polyunsaturated fatty acids would be altered with GDM and identify factors related to fetal phospholipid (PL) AA and DHA. Maternal and cord vein erythrocyte PL fatty acids were determined in GDM (n=13) and healthy pregnant women (controls, n=12). Cord vein erythrocyte PL AA and DHA concentrations were significantly lower in GDM vs. controls. Maternal blood hemoglobin A1C was inversely correlated to fetal erythrocyte PL DHA and AA in controls and GDM (n=25). Pregravid body mass index was negatively associated with fetal PL DHA. The data support the hypothesis that there is impairment in fetal accretion of DHA and AA in GDM.

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Abbreviations

AA:

arachidonic acid

ANOVA:

analysis of variance

BMI:

body mass index

DHA:

docosahexaenoic acid

EFA:

essential fatty acid

GDM:

gestational diabetes mellitus

HbA1C:

hemoglobin A1C

LA:

linoleic acid

LC-PUFA:

long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid

LNA:

linolenic acid

PL:

phospholipid

P/S:

polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio

PUFA:

polyunsaturated fatty acid

SFA:

saturated fatty acid

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Sciences, University of Connecticut, 06269, Storrs, Connecticut

    Robert B. Bendel

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hartford Hospital, 06102, Hartford, Connecticut

    Elliot H. Philipson

  3. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, U-17, 06269-4017, Storrs, CT

    Vasuki Wijendran, Sarah C. Couch, Sunita Cheruku & Carol J. Lammi-Keefe

Authors
  1. Vasuki Wijendran
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  2. Robert B. Bendel
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  3. Sarah C. Couch
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  4. Elliot H. Philipson
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  5. Sunita Cheruku
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  6. Carol J. Lammi-Keefe
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carol J. Lammi-Keefe.

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Wijendran, V., Bendel, R.B., Couch, S.C. et al. Fetal erythrocyte phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acids are altered in pregnancy complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus. Lipids 35, 927–931 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/S11745-000-0602-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/S11745-000-0602-2

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