Long chain W3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipid pattern in the mother and the newborn infant

Abstract

We studied 162 mother-neonate pairs to determine the relationship between w3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (w3LCP) intake during pregnancy and their levels in the mother and the neonate, and the general lipid pattern in the mother and the neonate. A dietetic interview was performed to assess the w3LCP intake during pregnancy. In both mothers and neonates we studied the w3LCPs in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids and also the general lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides, apo A1 and apo B). The w3LCP intake assessed by the dietetic interview (0.74 +/- 0.52 g/day) did not correlated with any of the parameters of the general lipid pattern in mothers or neonates. In mothers, the w3LCP levels in plasma expressed in percentages showed a positive correlation with apo A1 and HDL-c, and a negative correlation with triglycerides and apo B. The w3LCPs levels in mothers showed an inconsistent and weak correlation with triglycerides and apo B in neonates. When w3LCPs levels were assessed in the neonates themselves a consistent positive correlation was found with triglycerides. We concluded that in the dietetic range of our population, the intake of w3LCPs was not associated to any changes in the general lipid pattern of mothers or neonates. Whereas the w3LCP levels in mothers were correlated with the changes in the general lipid pattern reported outside pregnancy, such correlations were not present in regard to the neonate general profile, whereas the newborn's w3LCP levels were correlated with triglycerides. We believe that the hypertriglyceridemia of pregnancy, the placenta and the peculiarities of fetal metabolism are the causes of the aforementioned findings.

Maternal erythrocyte omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and plasma lipid concentrations, are associated with habitual dietary fish consumption in early pregnancy

“…On balance, results from our observational study and those of others (10,(24)(25)(26)(27), are consistent with intervention studies (28)(29)(30) that have documented increased omega-3 fatty acids in maternal plasma and/or erythrocyte after omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy. We could find no published reports of maternal habitual fish consumption and plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in early pregnancy.…”

“…Several investigators have evaluated maternal self-reports of fish intake during pregnancy with objective measures of dietary intake including erythrocyte membrane or plasma phospholipids omega-3 fatty acid content (10,(24)(25)(26)(27). Overall, findings from these previous studies are in agreement with our findings.…”

“…In their cross-sectional of Spanish women, the authors noted that omega-3 fatty acids in third-trimester plasma phospholipids were positively correlated with plasma HDL-C and inversely correlated with plasma triglyceride concentrations (10). Although we assessed maternal PUFA and lipids in early pregnancy, our findings concerning associations between maternal erythrocyte plasma phospholipids omega-3 fatty acids content and pregnancy lipid profile are consistent with those of Matorras et al (10). However, in contrast to our observations of associations between maternal dietary fish intake and plasma lipid concentrations, the authors found no association between maternal fish intake and maternal lipid concentrations among Spanish women.…”

“…We could find no published reports of maternal habitual fish consumption and plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in early pregnancy. We were, however, able to find one published study that evaluated omega-3 fatty acid status and lipid profile in pregnant women (10). In their cross-sectional of Spanish women, the authors noted that omega-3 fatty acids in third-trimester plasma phospholipids were positively correlated with plasma HDL-C and inversely correlated with plasma triglyceride concentrations (10).…”

“…At present, relatively few clinical metabolic studies of the physiological response to fish intake, or omega-3 fatty acid supplement use in pregnancy have been published. Available evidence, though sparse, suggests that the possible inverse relation between maternal fish consumption or omega-3 fatty acid supplementation use may, in part, be attributable to the hypotriglyceridemic effect of omega-3 PUFA (10)(11). This thesis is supported by a much larger body of observational and intervention studies that consistently document inverse associations of plasma triglycerides with habitual fish consumption or omega-3 PUFA supplementation (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) in men and non-pregnant women.…”