Temporal changes in the systemic concentrations of retinoids in pregnant and postpartum women.

Retinoids and vitamin A are essential for multiple biological functions, including vision and immune responses, as well as the development of an embryo during pregnancy. Despite its importance, alterations in retinoid homeostasis during normal human pregnancy are incompletely understood. We aimed to characterize the temporal changes in the systemic retinoid concentrations across pregnancy and postpartum period. Monthly blood samples were collected from twenty healthy pregnant women, and plasma concentrations of retinol, all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA), 13-cis-retinoic acid (13cisRA), and 4-oxo-retinoic acids were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Significant decreases in 13cisRA concentrations over the pregnancy were observed, with rebound increases in retinol and 13cisRA levels after delivery. Of note, atRA concentrations exhibited a unique temporal pattern with levels peaking at mid-pregnancy. While the 4-oxo-atRA concentration was below the limit of quantification, 4-oxo-13cisRA was readily detectable, and its temporal change mimicked that of 13cisRA. The time profiles of atRA and 13cisRA remained similar after correction by albumin levels for plasma volume expansion adjustment. Together, the comprehensive profiling of systemic retinoid concentrations over the course of pregnancy provides insights into pregnancy-mediated changes in retinoid disposition to maintain its homeostasis.

C-Reactive protein concentrations in reproductive-aged women with major mood disorders.

To examine associations between high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and depressive symptoms in reproductive-aged women with mood disorders. Women (N = 86) with major depressive or bipolar disorder in a specialized mood disorders program provided plasma samples which were analyzed for CRP concentrations and categorized by tertiles (T1, low; T2, middle; T3 high). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Inventory of Depressive Symptoms. We hypothesized that CRP concentrations would be significantly associated with the following: (1) depressive symptoms; (2) pregnancy, (3) body mass index, and (4) counts of white blood cells and absolute neutrophils and percentage of segmented neutrophils. The distribution of CRP concentrations was highly skewed with a median of 2.45 mg/L and an interquartile range 0.90 - 8.17 mg/L. Elevated plasma levels of CRP were not associated with depressive symptoms, which did not differ by tertile group either before or after adjusting for BMI, pregnancy status, and their interactions. Women in T3 had 5 times greater odds of pregnancy compared to women in T1 (p = .021). However, women in T2 had 11% greater BMI on average (p = 0.023), and women in T3 had 47% greater BMI compared to those in T1 (p < 0.001). Women in T3 had higher mean white blood cell counts than those in T1 and T2, the percentage of neutrophils was higher in T2 and T3 compared to T1, and women in T3 had higher absolute neutrophil counts compared to T1. CRP concentrations varied widely and were significantly elevated in reproductive-aged women with high BMI and current pregnancy, but not with depressive symptoms in this sample of depressed women.