A factorial randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of micronutrients supplementation and regular aerobic exercise on maternal endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and oxidative stress of the newborn

Abstract

BackgroundMany studies have suggested a relationship between metabolic abnormalities and impaired fetal growth with the development of non-transmissible chronic diseases in the adulthood. Moreover, it has been proposed that maternal factors such as endothelial function and oxidative stress are key mechanisms of both fetal metabolic alterations and subsequent development of non-transmissible chronic diseases. The objective of this project is to evaluate the effect of micronutrient supplementation and regular aerobic exercise on endothelium-dependent vasodilation maternal and stress oxidative of the newborn.Methods and design320 pregnant women attending to usual prenatal care in Cali, Colombia will be included in a factorial randomized controlled trial. Women will be assigned to the following intervention groups: 1. Control group: usual prenatal care (PC) and placebo (maltodextrine). 2. Exercise group: PC, placebo and aerobic physical exercise. 3. Micronutrients group: PC and a micronutrients capsule consisting of zinc (30 mg), selenium (70 μg), vitamin A (400 μg), alphatocopherol (30 mg), vitamin C (200 mg), and niacin (100 mg). 4. Combined interventions Group: PC, supplementation of micronutrients, and aerobic physical exercise. Anthropometric measures will be taken at the start and at the end of the interventions.DiscussionSince in previous studies has been showed that the maternal endothelial function and oxidative stress are related to oxidative stress of the newborn, this study proposes that complementation with micronutrients during pregnancy and/or regular physical exercise can be an early and innovative alternative to strengthen the prevention of chronic diseases in the population.Trial registrationNCT00872365.

Influence of regular aerobic exercise on endothelium‐dependent vasodilation and cardiorespiratory fitness in pregnant women

“…So one might speculate that the increase of VO2max observed in the group assigned to the program of aerobic exercise could have a beneficial effect in fetal development. [46][47][48][49][50] In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate that a controlled program of aerobic exercise during pregnancy improves endothelial function and cardiorespiratory fitness. It remains to be demonstrated if exercise interventions could be a novel alternative in the prevention of complications associated with endothelial dysfunction during pregnancy.…”

“…Interestingly, it was observed that the VO 2max diminishes progressively during the pregnancy. So one might speculate that the increase of VO 2max observed in the group assigned to the program of aerobic exercise could have a beneficial effect in fetal development 46–50 …”

Vitamin B12 concentrations in pregnant Colombian women: analysis of nationwide data 2010

“…Maternal nutritional status is one of the most important indicators of perinatal risk and the birth weight and health of a newborn [ 12 ]. We found that approximately 2 out of every 5 pregnant women had a marginal vitamin B12 deficiency (41.3 %, 95 % CI 39.4 % to 43.4 %).…”

Relationship between maternal and newborn endothelial function and oxidative stress

“…The women in this study belonged to the control group of a randomized controlled trial (Ramirez‐Velez et al, ). In this clinical trial, 102 pregnant women were randomly selected for the control group, and 71 were followed up until delivery.…”