Roles of maternal HDL during pregnancy

Abstract

Background: High density lipoproteins (HDL) were first linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) over 30 years ago when an inverse relationship was shown between CVD and HDL-cholesterol levels. It is now apparent that HDL composition and function, not cholesterol levels, are the pertinent measurements describing HDL's role in various disease processes, especially those with subclinical or overt inflammation.

Scope of review: Pregnancy is also an inflammatory state. When inflammation becomes excessive during pregnancy, there is an increased risk for adverse outcomes that affect the health of the mother and fetus, including preterm birth and preeclampsia. Though studies on HDL during pregnancy are limited, recent evidence demonstrates that HDL composition and function change during pregnancy and in women with adverse outcomes.

General significance: In this review, we will discuss how HDL may play a role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy and how impairments in function could lead to pregnancies with adverse outcomes.

Keywords: Gestation; High density lipoproteins; Immunity; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Preterm birth; Subspecies.