Positive correlation between maternal serum coenzyme Q10 levels and infant birth weight.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the level of maternal serum coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which is a lipid-soluble antioxidant, maternal body weight gain, fat mass gain, and infant birth weight. A longitudinal observational study was conducted with 50 healthy pregnant women (average age: 31.1 years, average body mass index (BMI): 21.3 kg/m(2) at prepregnancy) at each trimester. CoQ10 levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Maternal weight and body composition were measured by a bioelectrical impedance analysis. The CoQ10 levels significantly increased throughout pregnancy from the first trimester to the third trimester (P < 0.001), and correlated with not only the serum cholesterol levels (P < 0.01) but also with the serum acetoacetic acid levels (P < 0.05) in the third trimester. The CoQ10 levels correlated with the maternal weight gain (P < 0.05) and fat mass gain (P < 0.05) from the second to the third trimester, after adjusting for lipid markers, age, and smoking habits. The level of CoQ10 during the third trimester was also significantly associated with the infant birth weight (P < 0.05) after adjusting for gestational age, maternal prepregnancy BMI, and smoking habits. Therefore, it is concluded that the level of maternal CoQ10 is positively associated with fetal growth, balancing rapid metabolic changes in the last half of a normal pregnancy.

Vasoactive and natriuretic mediators in umbilical cord blood: a report of our observation and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The relative potency and interrelationship among vasoactive and natriuretic mediators are thought to be important in the transition from fetal to neonatal life. However, little is known about their potential roles in the perinatal setting. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate further the potential roles of vasoactive and natriuretic mediators in the perinatal setting. STUDY DESIGN: We measured umbilical venous levels of arginine vasopressin, endothelin-1, adrenomedullin, natriuretic peptides and NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) in 24 vaginally delivered newborns and examined their possible functions. RESULTS: Cord levels of vasopressin, endothelin-1 and adrenomedullin were considerably higher compared with normal adult values; the concentrations were more than 10-fold higher for vasopressin, and more than threefold higher for endothelin-1 and adrenomedullin. The levels of natriuretic peptides and NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) were almost comparable to those of normal adults. Among the mediators, there was a significant correlation between endothelin-1 and adrenomedullin. CONCLUSIONS: It appears from other studies that the postnatal fall in vasopressin and endothelin-1 levels is associated with increased levels of natriuretic peptides and NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-). Based on these observations, we consider that these mediators may play active roles in the initiation, maintenance or both of the transition from fetal to neonatal life.