Serum saturated fatty acid decreases plasma adiponectin and increases leptin throughout pregnancy independently of BMI.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum concentrations of total saturated fatty acids (SFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and their fractions are associated with plasma adiponectin and leptin concentrations throughout pregnancy. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 201 pregnant women was followed from gestational weeks 5 to 13, 20 to 26, and 30 to 36. Blood samples were collected at the three visits after 12 h of fasting. Fatty acid concentrations were determined using fast gas-liquid chromatography. Plasma adiponectin (µg/mL) and leptin (ng/dL) concentrations were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Statistical analyses included median adipokine concentrations according to the tertiles of fatty acid distribution and multiple linear mixed-effect models adjusted for body mass index, gestational age, total energy intake, alcohol consumption, and smoking. RESULTS: Women classified in the third SFA concentration tertile had lower median values of adiponectin compared with those in the first tertile ([first trimester first tertile = 5.36; third tertile = 5.00]; [second trimester first tertile = 6.39; third tertile = 4.47]; [third trimester first tertile = 6.46; third tertile = 4.60]). Similar trends were observed for the 140, 160 and 180 fractions. In the multiple longitudinal models, total SFA (ß = -41.039; P = 0.008) and 160 were negatively associated with plasma adiponectin (160, ß = -0.511; P = 0.001). Total PUFA ω-6 (ß = 28.961; P = 0.002) and 182 ω-6 (ß = 0.259, P = 0.006) were positively associated with the adiponectin. Total SFA (ß = 0.110, P = 0.007), 140 (ß = 0.072, P = 0.011), and 203 ω-6 (ß = 0.039; P = 0.035) were positively associated with plasma leptin. CONCLUSIONS: Total serum SFA and the 160 fraction were negatively associated with plasma adiponectin and positively associated with leptin concentrations. Total ω-6 PUFA was positively associated only with plasma adiponectin concentrations throughout pregnancy.