Influence of smoking on vitamin E status during the third trimester of pregnancy and on breast-milk tocopherol concentrations in Spanish women

Abstract

Concentrations of antioxidants in breast milk probably define the degree of protection it can offer against peroxidation. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the differences in vitamin E status of Spanish women smokers and nonsmokers in their third trimester of pregnancy and the concentrations of tocopherol in their milk. Vitamin E intake was determined during the third trimester of pregnancy by using a 5-d dietary record (including a Sunday) and by recording the quantities provided by supplements. HPLC was used to determine vitamin E concentrations in subjects' serum during the third trimester, in transitional breast milk on days 13-14 of lactation, and in mature breast milk on day 40 of lactation. Subjects also answered a questionnaire about their smoking habits during pregnancy. Subjects were grouped as nonsmokers (71.9%; n = 41) or smokers (28.1%; n = 16). Although vitamin E intake was somewhat greater in nonsmokers, the difference was not significant. Ratios of vitamin E to polyunsaturated fatty acids were practically the same in both groups. The use of vitamin E supplements was limited and did not modify the results of the study. No significant differences in these serum indexes were found between smokers and nonsmokers, and no subject had deficient serum vitamin E concentrations. However, vitamin E concentrations in mature milk were significantly lower in smokers than in nonsmokers. Although it is already known that maternal smoking favors peroxidation events in newborns, if the concentration of antioxidants (vitamin E) in smokers' breast milk is also lower, it might aggravate the peroxidation problems of their newborns.

Serum ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol levels in bidi smokers and tobacco chewers

“…Likewise the adverse effects of smoking on ascorbic acid status is reported in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (Calikoglu et al, 2002) [12], passive smoking (Ayaori et a., 2000) [13], pregnancy (Ortega et al 1998) [14], cancer, cardiovascular diseases and in many other pathologies. Our subjects were not having any apparent symptoms of the disease out were frail and our observation of lower level of ascorbic acid along with clinical observations suggest that these persons were relatively in more vulnerable zone than nonsmokers.…”

Dietary guidelines for pregnant women

“…Women with low vitamin E levels more frequently have premature babies, with low birth-weight and at greater risk of haemolytic anaemia 1,8 . Vitamin E deserves special attention since many pregnant women take less than recommended, some studies 16 suggest up to 81.5%.…”

Vitamina E no soro e colostro humanos em condições de jejum e pós-prandial

“…12 The concentration of alpha-tocopherol in the fasting colostrum group (1,603.4±911.0 μg/dL) was similar to that found in Cuba 13 and lower than that of Germany. 14 Alpha-tocopherol levels in postprandial colostrum were not significantly different from those of fasting colostrum, that is, alpha-tocopherol levels did not rise after breakfast, indicating that the transfer of this vitamin is restricted, 7 or that the amount found in the diet was not enough to increase its levels.…”

“…The milk and serum samples were extracted according to a modified version of the technique developed by Ortega et al 7 Aliquots of 2 and 3 mL from the hexane phase were …”