Umbilical vessels in preeclamptic pregnancies have low contents of both w3 and w6 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

ABSTRACT

We determined the fatty acid compositions of maternal and umbilical platelets (PLT), and of the umbilical arteries (UA) and veins (UV) of 27 preeclamptic pregnancies and 24 normotensive controls, mostly of Afro-Caribbean descents. Between-group differences were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test or with analysis of convariance with gestational age as covariate. PLT of preeclamptic women contained lower 205 w3, and a higher 20.4 w6/205 w3 ratio. Linear discriminant analysis revealed higher 204 w6. Major differences were found in UV and especially UA fatty acid compositions. UA and UV of preeclamptic pregnancies contained lower long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of the w3-series (LCPUFA w3), LCPUFA w6 and 203 w6. UA had lower 204 w6 higher 203 w9 and 203 w9/204 w6. We conclude that the low LCPUFA w3 and LCPUFA w6 levels in umbilical vessels of preeclamptic women with adequate w6 status may indicate insufficient LCPUFA transplacental transfer. The low 204 w6, high 203 w9 and high 203 w9/204 w6 ratio in UA may unfavourably affect local prostacylin production and cause other 203 w9 related adverse effects. Low 203 w6 in UV and UA, and low 205 w3 in maternal PLT, may contribute to the dominance of 204 w6 derived eicosanoids.(AU)