ABSTRACT
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy plays a significant role in growth and development of the placenta and influencing pregnancy outcome. Suboptimal nutritional status during early gestational period compromises the normal course of pregnancy leading to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Omega-3 and omega-6 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) are important for the growth and development of the placenta. Maternal fatty acids and their metabolites influence the normal course of pregnancy by regulating cell growth and development, cell signaling, regulate angiogenesis, modulate inflammatory responses and influence various structural and functional processes. Alterations in LC-PUFA and their metabolites may result in inadequate spiral artery remodeling or placental angiogenesis leading to structural and functional deficiency of the placenta which contributes to several pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth restriction, and results in adverse birth outcomes. In this review, we summarize studies examining the role of fatty acids and their metabolites in pregnancy. We also discuss the possible molecular mechanisms through which LC-PUFA influences placental growth and development. Studies have demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation lowers the incidence of preterm births, but its effect on reducing pregnancy complications are inconclusive.
Subject(s)
Diabetes, Gestational/prevention & control , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/therapeutic use , Fatty Acids, Omega-6/therapeutic use , Fetal Growth Retardation/prevention & control , Pre-Eclampsia/prevention & control , Premature Birth/prevention & control , Diabetes, Gestational/metabolism , Diabetes, Gestational/pathology , Female , Fetal Growth Retardation/metabolism , Fetal Growth Retardation/pathology , Humans , Placenta/metabolism , Placenta/pathology , Pre-Eclampsia/metabolism , Pre-Eclampsia/pathology , Pregnancy , Premature Birth/metabolism , Premature Birth/pathologyABSTRACT
Our earlier studies both in animals and in humans have indicated that micronutrients (folic acid, vitamin B12) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are interlinked in the one-carbon cycle, which plays an important role in fetal 'programming' of adult diseases. The present study examines the levels of maternal and cord plasma fatty acids, maternal folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine in healthy mothers at various time points during pregnancy and also examine an association between them. A longitudinal study of 106 normal pregnant women was carried out, and maternal blood was collected at three time points, viz., T1 = 16-20th week, T2 = 26-30th week and T3 = at delivery. Cord blood was collected at delivery. Fatty acids were estimated using a gas chromatograph. Levels of folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine were estimated by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) technology. Maternal plasma folate (P < 0.05), vitamin B12 (P < 0.01) and DHA (P < 0.05) levels were lowest, while maternal homocysteine levels were highest (P < 0.01) at T3. There was a negative association between maternal DHA and homocysteine at T2 (P < 0.05) and T3 (P < 0.01). There was a positive association between plasma DHA in maternal blood at T3 and cord blood. Furthermore, there was a positive association between maternal folate and vitamin B12 at T3 and baby weight, whereas maternal homocysteine at T1 were inversely associated with baby weight at delivery. Our study provides evidence for the associations of folic acid, vitamin B12, homocysteine with DHA and baby weight, suggesting that a balanced dietary supplementation of folate-vitamin B12-DHA during pregnancy may be beneficial.
Subject(s)
Birth Weight/physiology , Fatty Acids/blood , Folic Acid/blood , Homocysteine/blood , Mothers/statistics & numerical data , Vitamin B 12/blood , Adult , Chromatography, Gas , Female , Fetal Blood , Humans , India , Longitudinal Studies , Luminescent Measurements , Micronutrients/blood , Pregnancy , Prospective Studies , Young AdultABSTRACT
Adequate supply of LCPUFA from maternal plasma is crucial for fetal normal growth and development. The present study examines the effect of maternal micronutrients (folic acid and vitamin B12) and omega 3 fatty acids on placental mRNA levels of fatty acid desaturases (Δ5 and Δ6) and transport proteins. Pregnant female rats were divided into 6 groups at 2 levels of folic acid both in the presence and absence of vitamin B12. Both the vitamin B12 deficient groups were supplemented with omega 3 fatty acid. Maternal vitamin B12 deficiency reduced placental mRNA and protein levels of Δ5 desaturase, mRNA levels of FATP1 and FATP4 (p<0.05 for all) as compared to control while omega 3 fatty acid supplementation normalized the levels. Our data for the first time indicates that altered maternal micronutrients and omega 3 fatty acids play a key role in regulating fatty acid desaturase and transport protein expression in placenta.
Subject(s)
Fatty Acid Transport Proteins/metabolism , Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Folic Acid/administration & dosage , Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase/metabolism , Micronutrients/administration & dosage , Placenta/enzymology , Vitamin B 12/administration & dosage , Animals , Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase , Fatty Acid Desaturases/genetics , Fatty Acid Desaturases/metabolism , Fatty Acid Transport Proteins/genetics , Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins/genetics , Female , Gene Expression , Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase/genetics , Micronutrients/deficiency , Pregnancy , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Vitamin B 12 DeficiencyABSTRACT
A disturbed fatty acid metabolism increases the risk of adult non-communicable diseases. This study examines the effect of maternal micronutrients on the fatty acid composition, desaturase activity, mRNA levels of fatty acid desaturases and transport proteins in the liver. Pregnant female rats were divided into 6 groups at 2 levels of folic acid both in the presence and absence of vitamin B(12). The vitamin B(12) deficient groups were supplemented with omega 3 fatty acid. An imbalance of maternal micronutrients reduces liver docosahexaenoic acid, increases Δ5 desaturase activity but decreases mRNA levels, decreases Δ6 desaturase activity but not mRNA levels as compared to control. mRNA level of Δ5 desaturase reverts back to the levels of the control group as a result of omega 3 fatty acid supplementation. Our data for the first time indicates that maternal micronutrients differentially alter the activity and expression of fatty acid desaturases in the liver.