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Oxidative stability of low density lipoproteins and vitamin E levels increase in maternal blood during normal pregnancy

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Lipids

Abstract

In 24 healthy pregnant women, parameters related to the oxidative stability of low density lipoproteins (LDL) were determined at three times during pregnancy and shortly after delivery. The fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids (PL) and the plasma concentrations of vitamin E, vitamin A, and β-carotene were assessed in the same samples. Total triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentrations were also determined. The length of the lag phase of isolated LDL challenged with Cu2+ ions significantly increased with the progression of pregnancy. The oxidation rate and the amount of conjugated dienes formed increased and reached a maximum at 29–37 wk of pregnancy. Total TG, cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol reached a maximum in the third trimester of pregnancy. β-Carotene remained stable, vitamin A decreased, and vitamin E significantly increased throughout pregnancy. Vitamin E plasma concentration correlated positively with the length of the lag phase. The increased levels of vitamin E could contribute to the higher resistance of LDL toward oxidation with progressing gestation, measured by the prolonged lag phase. Furthermore, vitamin E plasma levels correlated positively with TG concentration but not with LDL-cholesterol. The level of polyunsaturated fatty acids in PL decreased with the progression of pregnancy. No correlation was found between the fatty acid composition of plasma PL, nor with the cholesterol concentration, and the parameters studied related to the oxidative stability of LDL. The major finding of this study is the increased oxidative resistance of LDL with progressing gestation.

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Abbreviations

HDL:

high density lipoprotein

HUFA:

highly unsaturated fatty acids (fatty acids with ≥20 carbon atoms and ≥3 double bonds)

LDL:

low density lipoproteins

PL:

phospholipids

PUFA:

polyunsaturated fatty acids

TG:

triglyceride

Tlag:

length of the lag phase

Tmax:

length of time required to obtain maximum levels of conjugated dienes

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nutrition, Ghent University Hospital, UZ6 K12 IE De Pintelaan 185, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium

    S. R. De Vriese & A. B. Christophe

  2. Department of Gynecology, Ghent University Hospital, UZ6 K12 IE, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium

    M. Dhont

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  1. S. R. De Vriese
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  2. M. Dhont
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  3. A. B. Christophe
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Correspondence to S. R. De Vriese.

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De Vriese, S.R., Dhont, M. & Christophe, A.B. Oxidative stability of low density lipoproteins and vitamin E levels increase in maternal blood during normal pregnancy. Lipids 36, 361–366 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0728-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0728-2

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