The maternal-fetal gradient of free and esterified phytosterols at the time of delivery in humans

Alessio Correani; Silvia Visentin; Erich Cosmi; Eleonora Ponchia; Sara D'Aronco; Manuela Simonato; Luca Vedovelli; Paola Cogo; Virgilio P Carnielli

doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2017.10.004

The maternal-fetal gradient of free and esterified phytosterols at the time of delivery in humans

Clin Nutr. 2018 Dec;37(6 Pt A):2107-2112. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.10.004. Epub 2017 Oct 13.

Authors

Alessio Correani¹, Silvia Visentin², Erich Cosmi², Eleonora Ponchia², Sara D'Aronco³, Manuela Simonato³, Luca Vedovelli³, Paola Cogo⁴, Virgilio P Carnielli⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Odontostomatologic and Specialized Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I - G. M. Lancisi - G. Salesi, Ancona, Italy. Electronic address: a.correani@pm.univpm.it.
² Department of Woman's and Child's Health, University of Padua, Italy.
³ Pediatric Research Institute "Città Della Speranza", Padua, Italy.
⁴ Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
⁵ Department of Odontostomatologic and Specialized Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche and Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I - G. M. Lancisi - G. Salesi, Ancona, Italy.

PMID: 29102321
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.10.004

Abstract

Background: High dietary intakes of phytosterols (Phyto), such as those consumed by vegans and vegetarians, are not recommended for cholesterol-lowering in pregnant women (PW) because the safety of their use during pregnancy has not been fully established [1]. Information on Phyto in pregnancy is very limited.

Objective: To characterize the maternal-fetal gradient of free and esterified Phyto at the time of delivery in humans.

Design: PW who had a term delivery at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit of the University Hospital of Padua (Padua, Italy), between November 2016 and March 2017, participated in the study. Fatty acids (FA), cholesterol (Chol), Chol metabolites (7-dehydrocholesterol, 7-DHChol; lathosterol, Latho; 7α-hydroxycholesterol, 7α-OHChol), and Phyto (campesterol, Camp; stigmasterol, Stigma; sitosterol, Sito) were measured in both maternal (MB) and cord blood (CB) at the time of delivery. Non-pregnant adult volunteers (Ref-NA) served as a reference.

Results: Thirty-four term PW and 12 Ref-NA signed informed consent and were studied. Plasma total Phyto concentrations in CB were up to 20-fold lower than in MB (p < 0.05). Positive and significant correlations were found between total Phyto of MB-CB pairs (p < 0.01), and between total FA and Camp of MB (p < 0.05). Interestingly, free Chol to Chol ester ratio of CB did not differ from that of MB, and free Phyto to Phyto ester ratios were higher in CB than in MB (p < 0.001). No differences were found between Phyto concentrations of MB and Ref-NA. However, free Chol to Chol ester ratio, and free Phyto to Phyto ester ratios were higher in MB than in Ref-NA (p < 0.05). Chol synthesis, as indicated by 7-DHChol to 7α-OHChol, Latho to 7α-OHChol, and Latho to Sito ratios, was greatest in CB and lowest in Ref-NA.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that free Phyto cross the human placenta more easily than Phyto ester. An elevated Stigma to Chol ratio in CB than in MB was also described for the first time. The impact of these findings on the neonatal outcomes remains to be elucidated.

Keywords: Cholesterol; Cord blood; Human placenta; Maternal blood; Phytosterols; Term delivery.

MeSH terms

Adult
Cohort Studies
Delivery, Obstetric
Female
Fetal Blood / chemistry*
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Male
Maternal-Fetal Exchange / physiology*
Phytosterols / blood*
Pregnancy* / blood
Pregnancy* / statistics & numerical data

Substances

Phytosterols