Maternal micronutrients and omega 3 fatty acids affect placental fatty acid desaturases and transport proteins in Wistar rats.

Adequate supply of LCPUFA from maternal plasma is crucial for fetal normal growth and development. The present study examines the effect of maternal micronutrients (folic acid and vitamin B12) and omega 3 fatty acids on placental mRNA levels of fatty acid desaturases (Δ5 and Δ6) and transport proteins. Pregnant female rats were divided into 6 groups at 2 levels of folic acid both in the presence and absence of vitamin B12. Both the vitamin B12 deficient groups were supplemented with omega 3 fatty acid. Maternal vitamin B12 deficiency reduced placental mRNA and protein levels of Δ5 desaturase, mRNA levels of FATP1 and FATP4 (p<0.05 for all) as compared to control while omega 3 fatty acid supplementation normalized the levels. Our data for the first time indicates that altered maternal micronutrients and omega 3 fatty acids play a key role in regulating fatty acid desaturase and transport protein expression in placenta.

Effect of maternal micronutrients (folic acid, vitamin B12) and omega 3 fatty acids on liver fatty acid desaturases and transport proteins in Wistar rats.

A disturbed fatty acid metabolism increases the risk of adult non-communicable diseases. This study examines the effect of maternal micronutrients on the fatty acid composition, desaturase activity, mRNA levels of fatty acid desaturases and transport proteins in the liver. Pregnant female rats were divided into 6 groups at 2 levels of folic acid both in the presence and absence of vitamin B(12). The vitamin B(12) deficient groups were supplemented with omega 3 fatty acid. An imbalance of maternal micronutrients reduces liver docosahexaenoic acid, increases Δ5 desaturase activity but decreases mRNA levels, decreases Δ6 desaturase activity but not mRNA levels as compared to control. mRNA level of Δ5 desaturase reverts back to the levels of the control group as a result of omega 3 fatty acid supplementation. Our data for the first time indicates that maternal micronutrients differentially alter the activity and expression of fatty acid desaturases in the liver.

Birthweight centile charts for South Asian infants born in the UK.

BACKGROUND: UK-born infants of South Asian ethnic origin are known to have lower birthweights than their White British counterparts. When plotted on currently used birthweight charts they can be misclassified as small for gestational age. Similarly, large for gestational age infants can be missed. This has important clinical implications in their management. OBJECTIVE: To create birthweight centile charts for the UK-born South Asian infants to identify true small and large for gestational age infants. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of infants born 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2006 was undertaken. The birthweights of the South Asian and White British infants were compared. The LMS method was used to construct centile charts for the South Asian infants. RESULTS: 24,274 White British and 7,190 South Asian infants were included in the analysis. Overall, the South Asian males were 9-15% lighter than the White British males and the South Asian females were 9-13% lighter than the White British females. At term, the median birthweight for South Asian males was 329 g lower than that for White British males and for South Asian females 295 g less than the White British females. CONCLUSION: There are significant differences in the birthweights of White British and UK-born South Asian infants. Hence the standard birthweight centile charts which were designed using the birthweight data of White British infants appear to misclassify a proportion of South Asian infants. Use of ethnic specific birthweight charts would allow better detection of truly growth-restricted and macrosomic South Asian infants.

Maternal supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids to micronutrient-imbalanced diet improves lactation in rat.

The present study aims to examine the effect of maternal supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids to a micronutrient (folic acid and vitamin B(12))-imbalanced diet on gastric milk volume and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid composition. Pregnant female rats were divided into 6 groups at 2 levels of folic acid in both the presence and absence of vitamin B(12). Both vitamin B(12)-deficient groups were supplemented with omega 3 fatty acid. Gastric milk volume and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids were analyzed. Our results for the first time indicate that imbalance in maternal micronutrients reduces gastric milk volume and milk docosahexaenoic acid levels (P < .01 for both) as compared with control. Supplementation with omega 3 fatty acids to this diet imbalanced in micronutrients increases (P < .01) milk docosahexaenoic acid level as compared with control. Imbalance in maternal micronutrients during pregnancy can alter milk fatty acid composition, which may ultimately affect infant growth and development.

Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in mothers of preterm babies.

AIMS: to examine the levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) in both plasma and erythrocytes of maternal and cord blood as well as in breast milk of mothers of preterm babies. METHODS: a total of 63 mothers of preterm babies were recruited from the Bharati Medical Hospital, Pune, India. RESULTS: plasma and erythrocyte DHA and AA levels were higher (P<0.001) in cord blood than in maternal blood. Maternal plasma DHA and AA were positively (P<0.01) associated with their respective maternal erythrocyte levels. There was a positive association (P<0.01) between maternal DHA (both plasma and erythrocyte) and cord DHA. Maternal plasma omega 3 and 6 fatty acids were positively (P<0.01) associated with their respective milk fatty acids. CONCLUSIONS: higher DHA and AA levels in cord blood compared to the mothers suggests a special mechanism to meet the increased demand of the fetus. Higher levels of milk DHA reflect the increased postnatal requirement of preterm babies suggesting a vital role for maternal milk. Lower maternal erythrocyte DHA concentrations in mothers delivering preterm as compared to term suggest that increased oxidative stress may be responsible for reduced DHA levels. This may alter the uterotonic factors like prostaglandins leading to premature triggering of labor.

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of breast milk in pre-eclamptic mothers.

BACKGROUND: Maternal fatty acid nutrition during pregnancy and lactation determines the transfer of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids via the placenta and through human milk. Neural maturation of breast-fed infants is known to be linked to breast-milk long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations. In spite of this, the fatty acid composition of breast milk in pre-eclamptic mothers is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: To compare the fatty acid composition of breast milk of pre-eclamptic (n = 45) with normotensive (n = 85) mothers and examine the association of breast-milk fatty acids with plasma fatty acids. METHODS: Milk and plasma fatty acid methyl esters were prepared and analyzed by the modified method of Manku and colleagues using gas chromatography. RESULTS: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations were significantly increased (p < 0.01) in breast milk in spite of lower maternal plasma DHA concentrations (p < 0.05) in pre-eclamptic women. However, there was no difference in arachidonic acid levels between groups in spite of reduced maternal plasma arachidonic acid levels. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that in pre-eclampsia, the relation between plasma and milk DHA is altered. The resulting higher milk DHA concentrations are beneficial for infants.

Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in mothers and term babies.

AIM: To establish the levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) in both plasma and erythrocytes of maternal and cord blood as well as in breast milk of mothers delivering babies at term. METHODS: A total of 148 mothers delivering babies at term were recruited from Bharati Medical Hospital, Pune, India. RESULTS: Levels of DHA and AA in both plasma and erythrocyte were higher in cord blood compared to levels in maternal blood (P<0.001). Maternal plasma and erythrocyte DHA levels had a positive association with the respective levels in cord blood (P<0.001). However, such an association was not seen for AA levels. Maternal plasma omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids were positively associated with the respective milk fatty acids (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that milk long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) status reflects the concentrations of maternal LCPUFA in women delivering babies at term. Improving the maternal LCPUFA status throughout pregnancy and lactation may improve the milk LCPUFA status and ultimately benefit the infant.

High maternal plasma antioxidant concentrations associated with preterm delivery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Our earlier study has shown that increased maternal oxidative stress and reduced antioxidants like vitamin E and C play an important role in fetal growth in preeclampsia. However, the role of antioxidants and their effects on gestation and birth outcome in normotensive pregnancies are not conclusive. The present study examined plasma malondialdehyde as a marker of oxidative stress and antioxidant concentrations (vitamins E and C) in maternal as well as in cord blood samples in normotensive women who delivered both preterm and at term. METHODS: 140 normotensive pregnant women were recruited at Bharati Medical Hospital, Pune, India, during the year 2007. Maternal and cord samples were examined for oxidative stress levels and vitamin C and E concentrations in women who delivered preterm (n=40) and at term (n=100). Mean values were compared with those of women delivering at term using the t test. RESULTS: Increased (p<0.05) oxidative stress was seen in preterm mothers as well as in cord samples. Preterm mothers had higher vitamin C concentrations (p<0.05), and these were positively associated with oxidative stress (p=0.02). Vitamin E levels were comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Increased maternal circulating vitamin C concentrations and increased oxidative stress are associated with preterm delivery.

Development and acceptability of a ready-to-eat beta-carotene rich, maize based supplementary product.

Low cost supplementary products using maize were developed and made using extrusion. Beta-carotene rich sources like curry leaf, carrot, red palm oil were used at different level to increase vitamin A precursor Levels and, therefore, vitamin A. Incorporation of curry leaf powder and carrot powder at 30 percent level and 30:70 blend of red palm oil and groundnut oil were found to be more acceptable than the products made with other levels. These products were tasted for acceptability by preschool children and were analysed for energy, protein, fat and beta-carotene contents. The control, fresh and stored supplementary products contained 1.707, 1.922, 1.919 MJ, 11.0, 11.6, 10.36 g protein, 10.2, 10.4, 9.64 g fat, 0, 7.37, 6.72 mg beta-carotene per 100 g, respectively. The loss of beta-carotene in processing and storage of curry leaf and carrot supplemented products was 13.69, 6.25 and 20.24, 8.06 percent, respectively.