Association of hypertriglyceridaemia with pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, gestational diabetes and uterine artery pulsatility index.

Background. We aimed to determine whether high plasma triglyceride levels in the second trimester of pregnancy are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia and high uterine artery pulsatility index. Methods. This prospective cohort study was done between 2008 and 2010. Plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride were measured after 8 hours of overnight fasting. We compared the outcomes of 45 pregnant women who had high triglyceride levels (>195 mg/dl) with 135 pregnant women with triglyceride levels <195 mg/dl. The main outcome measures were the incidence of preterm birth, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and uterine artery pulsatility index. Results. Eight women with high triglyceride levels had preeclampsia (17.8% v. 3.7% in the control group, p<0.004), preterm birth occurred in 24.4% and 5.9% in the high triglyceride group and the control group, respectively (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.9–13.8, p<0.0001). The incidence of gestational diabetes in the high triglyceride group was significantly higher than that in the control group. There was no difference in uterine artery Doppler ultrasound between the two groups. Conclusion. There is a positive relation between hypertriglyceridaemia and pre-eclampsia, preterm birth and gestational diabetes.

[Comparison of the effects of a fish oil-containing diet, a diet containing an oil mixture based on the Iranian fat consumption pattern, and a standard diet on the serum glucose level and insulin sensitivity in rats]

Information on the effects of different types of fat on insulin sensitivity is limited. The present study was designed to compare the effects of feeding a fish oil-containing diet, a diet containing an oil mixture based on the Iranian fat consumption pattern, and a standard diet from the fetal period till puberty on the serum glucose and insulin sensitivity in Wistar rats. Thirty female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to three dietary groups: a standard diet [containing soy bean-oil], a diet containing fish oil, and a diet containing an oil mixture based on the Iranian population fatty acid intake. Dams in each group were fed one of the diets during pregnancy and lactation, and in each case the pups born were weaned onto the same diet. Fasting serum glucose level [by photometry] and insulin [by ELISA] were measured in the pups and insulin sensitivity was calculated at puberty. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and the one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. The fasting serum insulin level and insulin sensitivity in the fish oil-fed group were significantly lower [P=0.018] and higher [P=0.002], respectively, than in the other two groups. It seems a diet containing fish oil [rich in long chain omega-3 fatty acids] causes a higher insulin sensitivity, as compared to diets containing either soy bean oil [rich in omega-6 fatty acids] or mixed oil based on the Iranian dietary fatty acid pattern [rich in saturated fatty acids]