Higher de novo synthesized fatty acids and lower omega3- and omega6-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in umbilical vessels of women with preeclampsia and high fish intakes.

ABSTRACT

Umbilical veins (UV) and arteries (UA) of preeclamptic women in Curaçao harbor lower long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP). The present aim was to test these findings in Mwanza (Tanzania), whose inhabitants have high LCPomega3 and LCPomega6 intakes from Lake Victoria fish. Women with preeclampsia (n=28) in Mwanza had lower PUFA and higher 200 in UV and UA, compared with normotensive/non-proteinuric controls (n=31). Their UV 226omega3, 224omega6, LCPomega6, omega6, and LCPomega3+omega6 were lower, while saturated FA, potentially de novo synthesized FA (Sigmade novo) and (Sigmade novo)/(LCPomega3+omega6) ratio were higher. Their UA had higher 161omega7, omega7, 180, and 161omega7/160. Umbilical vessels in Mwanza had higher 226omega3, LCPomega3, omega3, and 160, and lower 225omega6, 202omega6, 181omega9, and omega9, compared to those in Curaçao. Preeclampsia in both Mwanza and Curaçao is characterized by lower LCP and higher Sigmade novo. An explanation of this might be placental dysfunction, while the similarity of umbilical vessel FA-abnormalities in preeclamptic and diabetic pregnancies suggests insulin resistance as a common denominator.