Mother Fetus Relations
Conditions
Brief summary
Total plasma cholesterol rises by 60 % with progressing pregnancy in humans. Because lipid-lowering drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy, natural compounds, such as phytosterols, may be a safe and effective alternative to prevent undesirable effects. Information on phytosterols in pregnancy is so far very limited. To date, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have characterized the maternal-fetal gradient of free and esterified phytosterols in full-term human pregnancy. For this purpose, maternal and cord blood cholesterol and non-cholesterol sterol (campesterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol) concentrations were measured in term pregnant women at delivery by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Università Politecnica delle Marche
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
20 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* A single pregnancy * A gestational age determined from known last maternal menstrual period higher than 37 weeks * A normal diet without phytosterol supplementation during pregnancy * Written informed consent available.
Exclusion criteria
* Major congenital anomalies * Maternal history of cardiovascular disease * Endocrine disorders such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, pre-eclampsia, thyroid or adrenal problems * Clinical chorioamnionitis
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Free and esterified phytosterol ratio | the day of delivery | Plasma free and esterified phytosterol concentrations will be measured in mother-cord blood pairs at delivery. Plasma phytosterol concentrations will be the sum of plasma campesterol, stigmasterol and sitosterol concentrations (mg/L). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry will be used for measurements. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| total cholesterol concentrations | the day of delivery | plasma cholesterol concentrations (mg/L) will be measured to evaluate the cholesterol metabolism in mother-cord blood pairs at delivery. Total cholesterol in pregnant women and cord blood will be calculated from plasma free and esterified cholesterol. Cholesterol concentrations will be measured by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. |
| total lathosterol concentrations | the day of delivery | plasma lathosterol concentrations (mg/L) will be measured to evaluate the cholesterol metabolism in mother-cord blood pairs at delivery. Total lathosterol in pregnant women and cord blood will be calculated from plasma free and esterified lathosterol. Lathosterol concentrations will be measured by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. |
| total 7-dehydrocholesterol concentrations | the day of delivery | plasma 7-dehydrocholesterol concentrations (mg/L) will be measured to evaluate the cholesterol metabolism in mother-cord blood pairs at delivery. Total 7-dehydrocholesterol in pregnant women and cord blood will be calculated from plasma free and esterified 7-dehydrocholesterol. 7-dehydrocholesterol concentrations will be measured by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. |
| total 7-alpha-hydroxycholesterol concentrations | the day of delivery | plasma 7-alpha-hydroxycholesterol concentrations (mg/L) will be measured to evaluate the cholesterol metabolism in mother-cord blood pairs at delivery. Total 7-alpha-hydroxycholesterol in pregnant women and cord blood will be calculated from plasma free and esterified 7-alpha-hydroxycholesterol. 7-alpha-hydroxycholesterol concentrations will be measured by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. |
| fatty acid concentrations | the day of delivery | plasma fatty acid concentrations (mg/dl) will be measured to evaluate the fat metabolism in mother-cord blood pairs at delivery. Total fatty acids will be measured by using gas chromatography with flame ionization detector will be used for the measurement of fatty acids. |
Outcome results
None listed