Coenzyme Q₁₀ Levels in Maternal Plasma and Cord Blood:Correlations with Mode of Delivery

Abstract

Background: Oxygen (O₂) plays a critical role in the O₂-reduction reactions indispensable for life, but can produce free radicals that are involved in many diseases. Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀), acting as a redox carrier in the respiratory chain, occupies a central position in the energy metabolism and oxidative defence. Neonates seem to be very subjected to oxidative stress because of their deficient antioxidant systems. Design/Methods: The aim of the study was to verify whether the mode of delivery may affect CoQ₁₀ levels in the mother and neonate, and thus influence the risk of oxidative damage in the newborn. We measured CoQ₁₀levels in maternal plasma and cord blood at birth after three different modes of delivery (45 term healthy pregnancies): (1) vaginal in room air (VD) (n = 15); (2) elective caesarean section with general anaesthesia (50% O₂and 50% N₂O) (CSg) (n = 15), and (3) elective caesarean section with spinal anaesthesia without O₂ (CSs) (n = 15). Our results showed higher levels of Q₁₀ in mothers and neonates with VD (1.29 ± 0.43 and 0.15 ± 0.06 µg/ml, respectively) or CSs (1.15 ± 0.28 and 0.24 ± 0.06 µg/ml, respectively) when compared to CSg (0.74 ± 0.28 and 0.07 ± 0.03 µg/ml, respectively) (p < 0.01). Conclusions: These data demonstrate that the mode of delivery may affect CoQ₁₀ levels in mothers and neonates, and thus influence the risk of oxidative damage in the newborn.

Coenzyme Q10, carotenoid, tocopherol, and retinol levels in cord plasma from multiethnic subjects in Hawaii

“…Our cord plasma samples being a mixture of arterial and venous cord plasma showed median TQ10 levels of 113 ng/mL and was in excellent agreement with levels found exclusively in venous cord plasma (mean, 112 ng/mL) [50], arterial (median, 154 ng/mL), and venous cord serum (median, 156 ng/mL) [80] or in arterial cord plasma levels from mothers who gave birth vaginally (mean, 150 ng/mL) [81]. However, cord plasma TQ10 levels from mothers who had given birth by cesarean section were reported to be lower when receiving general anesthesia (mean, 70 ng/mL) and higher when receiving spinal anesthesia (mean, 240 ng/mL), respectively (Table III) [81].…”

“…However, cord plasma TQ10 levels from mothers who had given birth by cesarean section were reported to be lower when receiving general anesthesia (mean, 70 ng/mL) and higher when receiving spinal anesthesia (mean, 240 ng/mL), respectively (Table III) [81]. …”

“… Median values ± standard deviation except mean when marked with “m”, n = number of subjects other abbreviations shown in Table II. a Present study (arterial ± venous cord plasma). b [81]. …”

Cord Blood Ischemia‐Modified Albumin Levels in Normal and Intrauterine Growth Restricted Pregnancies

“…In the literature, no evidence exists whether the fetus is subject to oxidative stress during labour [28]. Several studies have shown that umbilical arterial blood of newborns delivered vaginally or after emergent caesarean section contains higher levels of oxidation products than the blood of newborns delivered by elective caesarean section [29–32]. However, other reports suggest that oxidative stress in the fetal circulation does not depend on the mode of delivery [28].…”

Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Th1/Th2 Paradigm in Females with Idiopathic Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

“…16 Also, in a placebo-controlled trial, it had been observed that CoQ 10 supplementation during pregnancy reduces the risk of developing preeclampsia in women. 29 Therefore, a decrease in the level of CoQ 10 during pregnancy may be severe for the fetus. A few studies have demonstrated the increased CD4/CD8 ratio 27 and IgG levels on CoQ 10 supplementation.…”