N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in high risk pregnancy and lipid spectrum changes

Abstract

Objective: to study the changes in lipid levels in high-risk pregnant supplemented with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).

Full Text

Design: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Picasol (2.7g of n-3 PUFA/daily, N=31 (Denmark) or placebo (olive oil, N=29)) were administrated during II-III trimesters of pregnancy. Before administration of n-3 PUFA/placebo and in the end of III trimester serum concentration of the following parameters of lipid spectrum: total triglycerides, total cholesterol, cholesterol of high (HDL), low (LDL) and very low (VLDL) density lipoproteins had been measured. Clinical part of the study was partially performed in the frameworks of the Fish-oil Trial in Pregnancy (FOTIP).

Results: There were no significant differences in lipids level between groups in baseline measurement. In the end of III trimester we found significant differences between two groups in triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations (1.7±0.4 mmol/L and 0.8±0.2 mmol/L in Picasol group vs 2.4±0.5 mmol/L and 1.1±0.2 mmol/L in placebo group, respectively). We did not find significant differences in blood pressure indices and hypertensive disorders incidence between groups. In the same time, frequency of signs of placental insufficiency in placebo group was significantly higher, than in Picasol group.

Conclusions: We suggest that observed changes in triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations in prophylactic administration of n-3 PUFA can be conditioned by preventive effect on endothelial dysfunction and by possible changes in expression of angiogenic growth factors in placental tissues. Further investigations of placental growth factors will allow to evaluate their role in the genesis of endothelial dysfunction and possible mechanisms of its correction.