Fetal lipoprotein changes in pre‐eclampsia

Abstract

Our data suggest that pre-eclamptic pregnancy is associated with an enhanced hyperlipidemia, which seems to have a negative impact on fetal lipid profile, as reflected by a higher atherogenic LDLc/HDLc ratio and higher TG levels. These children, born of women with PE, may deserve a closer clinical follow-up later in life.

The Importance of Lipid and Lipoprote in Ratios in Interpretetions of Hyperlipidaemia of Pregnancy

“…Fetal plasma cholesterol levels are high and are proportional to the maternal cholesterol levels [14] in second trimester, decline with increasing fetal age [14] and are even lower at term birth. This is supported by the fact that lipid levels observed in umbilical cord blood(UCB) from normal pregnancy were significantly lower than those found in maternal blood with exception of HDL-C, and that LDL:HDL ratio in neonate of normal pregnancy are much lower than the value in normal pregnant mothers [16]. The high HDL levels and a lower LDL:HDL ratio in UCB suggest that the fetus of a normal pregnancy is protected against atherogenic lipoprotein [16].…”

“…This is supported by the fact that lipid levels observed in umbilical cord blood(UCB) from normal pregnancy were significantly lower than those found in maternal blood with exception of HDL-C, and that LDL:HDL ratio in neonate of normal pregnancy are much lower than the value in normal pregnant mothers [16]. The high HDL levels and a lower LDL:HDL ratio in UCB suggest that the fetus of a normal pregnancy is protected against atherogenic lipoprotein [16]. Despite these findings, studies at autopsy demonstrated that atherosclerosis progresses much faster in offsprings of hypercholesterolaemic mother than in offsprings of normocholesterolaemic mothers [86].…”

“…Catarino [16], et al, while comparing lipid and lipoproteins in normal pregnant and PE pregnant women found an enhanced physiologic hyperlipidaemia. However, the most striking difference noted in PE women was the rise TGs that almost double the median value compared to normal pregnant women.…”

“…Pre-eclampsia (PE), a human pregnancy specific vascular disorder, defines a pathologic condition that affects the mother and can adversely influence the feto-placental unit. PE is associated with placental dysfunction, oxidative stress [1,89], dyslipidaemia [16,90] and endothelial cell activation, and is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality [88] A proatherogenic lipid profile, characterized by increased TG levels with reduced HDL concentration [90,91] and increased small, dense LDL particles [90] has been described. In contrast other studies demonstrated a dominance of buoyant LDL-1 and a significant decreased of small, dense LDL, namely LDL-5 and LDL-6 [92].…”

“…Similarly, animal model studies showed that maternal hypercholesterolaemia during pregnancy even when temporary and limited to pregnancy triggers pathogenic events in the fetal aorta, greatly enhanced atherogenesis later in life [14,15]. On the other hand, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) has been associated with pre-eclampsia [16], as a result of decreased maternal lipid transfer to the fetus secondary to placental abnormalities. IUGR has also been associated with failure of development of hyperlipidaemia during pregnancy with subsequent reduction in maternal lipid reaching the fetus in a normal placenta [17,18].…”