Nutrients

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15 pages, 2485 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation Alters Maternal and Fetal Docosahexaenoic Acid Status and Placenta Phospholipids in Pregnancies Complicated by High Body Mass Index

by Katie L. Bidne, Karin Zemski Berry, Mairead Dillon, Thomas Jansson and Theresa L. Powell

Nutrients 2024, 16(17), 2934; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16172934 - 2 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1232

Abstract

Introduction: An optimal fetal supply of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is critical for normal brain development. The relationship between maternal DHA intake and DHA delivery to the fetus is complex and is dependent on placental handling of DHA. Little data exist on placental DHA [...] Read more.

Introduction: An optimal fetal supply of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is critical for normal brain development. The relationship between maternal DHA intake and DHA delivery to the fetus is complex and is dependent on placental handling of DHA. Little data exist on placental DHA levels in pregnancies supplemented with the recommended dose of 200 mg/d. Our objective was to determine how prenatal DHA at the recommended 200 mg/d impacts maternal, placental, and fetal DHA status in both normal-weight and high-BMI women compared to women taking no supplements. Methods: Maternal blood, placenta, and cord blood were collected from 30 healthy pregnant women (BMI 18.9–43.26 kg/m²) giving birth at term. Red blood cells (RBCs) and villous tissue were isolated, and lipids were extracted to determine DHA content by LC-MS/MS. Data were analyzed by supplement group (0 vs. 200 mg/d) and maternal BMI (normal weight or high BMI) using two-way ANOVA. We measured maternal choline levels in maternal and cord plasma samples. Results: Supplementation with 200 mg/d DHA significantly increased (p < 0.05) maternal and cord RBC DHA content only in pregnancies complicated by high BMI. We did not find any impact of choline levels on maternal or cord RBC phospholipids. There were no significant differences in total placental DHA content by supplementation or maternal BMI (p > 0.05). Placental levels of phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidic acid containing DHA species were higher (p < 0.05) in high-BMI women without DHA supplementation compared to both normal-BMI and high-BMI women taking DHA supplements. Conclusion: Maternal DHA supplementation at recommended doses cord increased RBC DHA content only in pregnancies complicated by higher BMI. Surprisingly, we found that obesity was related to an increase in placental PI and phosphatidic acid species, which was ameliorated by DHA supplementation. Phosphatidic acid activates placental mTOR, which regulates amino acid transport and may explain previous findings of the impact of DHA on placental function. Current recommendations for DHA supplementation may not be achieving the goal of improving fetal DHA levels in normal-weight women. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Supplements during Pregnancy (2nd Edition))

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12 pages, 737 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating a New Way to Assess Metabolic Risk in Pregnant Females with Prior RYGB Surgery

by Teresa Gisinger, Birgit Reiter, Karin Preindl, Thomas Stimpfl, Liliana-Imi Gard, Sabina Baumgartner-Parzer, Alexandra Kautzky-Willer and Michael Leutner

Nutrients 2024, 16(16), 2704; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162704 - 14 Aug 2024

Viewed by 758

Abstract

Background: Obesity in pregnancy is linked to adverse clinical outcomes such as gestational diabetes. Recently, a risk score calculated by different ceramide concentrations was recognized as a new way to investigate cardiovascular risk. The aim was to analyze if the ceramide risk score [...] Read more.

Background: Obesity in pregnancy is linked to adverse clinical outcomes such as gestational diabetes. Recently, a risk score calculated by different ceramide concentrations was recognized as a new way to investigate cardiovascular risk. The aim was to analyze if the ceramide risk score and cardiometabolic risk vary between normal-weight, obese, and females with prior Roux-en-Y bypass surgery (RYGB) during pregnancy. Methods: Three cohorts were investigated: first, 25 pregnant females with a history of RYGB; second, 19 with preconception BMI ≥ 35 kg/m²; and third, 19 normal-weight (preconception BMI < 25 kg/m²). Around the 24th to 28th weeks of gestation routine laboratory assessments, 3 h 75 g oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests were carried out. The correlation of ceramide risk scores and ceramide ratios (Cer(d18:1/18:0)/Cer(d18:1/16:0)) with metabolic parameters was analyzed via Pearson correlation. The cohorts were compared via ANOVA and unpaired t-tests. Results: The RYGB cohort had lower ceramide risk scores and ratios compared to obese pregnant females (7.42 vs. 9.34, p = 0.025; 0.33 vs. 0.47, p < 0.001). Ceramide risk score and ratio were found to correlate negatively with insulin sensitivity (measured with the Matsuda (r = −0.376, p = 0.031; r = −0.455, p = 0.008) and calculated sensitivity index (r = −0.358, p = 0.044; r = −0.621, p < 0.001) in females without RYGB. The ceramide risk score correlated positively with body fat in RYGB females (r = 0.650, p = 0.012). Conclusions: We found that females after RYGB have lower ceramide risk scores and ceramide ratios compared to obese pregnant females, possibly indicating lower metabolic risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Supplements during Pregnancy (2nd Edition))

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15 pages, 629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Patterns and Factors Associated with Food Affinity in Pregnant Women from Quito, Ecuador

by Paola Toapanta-Pinta, Santiago Vasco-Morales, Sara Céspedes-Granda, Daniela Saes Sartorelli and Elaine Christine Dantas Moisés

Nutrients 2024, 16(4), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16040475 - 7 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3299

Abstract

Nutrition during pregnancy influences perinatal outcomes and predispositions to chronic diseases. A prospective cohort study was carried out with the objectives of describing the dietary patterns in the pregnant population in the city of Quito, Ecuador and analysing the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors [...] Read more.

Nutrition during pregnancy influences perinatal outcomes and predispositions to chronic diseases. A prospective cohort study was carried out with the objectives of describing the dietary patterns in the pregnant population in the city of Quito, Ecuador and analysing the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors that influence the adherence to each dietary pattern. The body mass index was calculated for each patient, and the patients were classified according to the Atalah criteria. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was also applied. The dietary patterns were assessed using a dietary survey with a 24 h recall on two occasions. A total of 535 pregnant women were included. A positive association was found between the pattern “dairy, salads and sweet snacks/dressings” and foreign nationality (β = 0.82 (0.43;1.21)). The “refined carbohydrates” pattern was negatively associated with education equal to or less than 7 years and an income of up to one basic salary (β = −0.59 (−1.05; −0.14)). The “traditional Ecuadorian” pattern showed a positive association with being born in the coastal region of Ecuador (β = 0.62 (0.22; 1.01)). This study identified three dietary patterns in pregnant women and their possible associations with certain sociodemographic factors. More studies are needed to better understand these patterns as well as to analyse their nutritional and caloric properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Supplements during Pregnancy (2nd Edition))

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21 pages, 2379 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Gut Characteristics and Microbiota Changes with Maternal Supplementation in a Neural Tube Defect Mouse Model

by Juan Antonio Cordero-Varela, Marta Reyes-Corral, Miguel Lao-Pérez, Beatriz Fernández-Santos, Fernando Montenegro-Elvira, Lluis Sempere and Patricia Ybot-González

Nutrients 2023, 15(23), 4944; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234944 - 28 Nov 2023

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Abstract

Adequate nutrient supply is crucial for the proper development of the embryo. Although nutrient supply is determined by maternal diet, the gut microbiota also influences nutrient availability. While currently there is no cure for neural tube defects (NTDs), their prevention is largely amenable [...] Read more.

Adequate nutrient supply is crucial for the proper development of the embryo. Although nutrient supply is determined by maternal diet, the gut microbiota also influences nutrient availability. While currently there is no cure for neural tube defects (NTDs), their prevention is largely amenable to maternal folic acid and inositol supplementation. The gut microbiota also contributes to the production of these nutrients, which are absorbed by the host, but its role in this context remains largely unexplored. In this study, we performed a functional and morphological analysis of the intestinal tract of loop-tail mice (Vangl2 mutants), a mouse model of folate/inositol-resistant NTDs. In addition, we investigated the changes in gut microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing regarding (1) the host genotype; (2) the sample source for metagenomics analysis; (3) the pregnancy status in the gestational window of neural tube closure; (4) folic acid and (5) D-chiro-inositol supplementation. We observed that Vangl2^+/Lp mice showed no apparent changes in gastrointestinal transit time or fecal output, yet exhibited increased intestinal length and cecal weight and gut dysbiosis. Moreover, our results showed that the mice supplemented with folic acid and D-chiro-inositol had significant changes in their microbiota composition, which are changes that could have implications for nutrient absorption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Supplements during Pregnancy (2nd Edition))

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16 pages, 1889 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Are Twin Pregnancies at Higher Risk for Iron and Calcium Deficiency than Singleton Pregnancies?

by Anna Dera-Szymanowska, Dorota Filipowicz, Natalia Misan, Krzysztof Szymanowski, Thilo Samson Chillon, Sabrina Asaad, Qian Sun, Ewelina Szczepanek-Parulska, Lutz Schomburg and Marek Ruchała

Nutrients 2023, 15(18), 4047; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15184047 - 18 Sep 2023

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the iron and calcium status in singleton and twin pregnancies and to assess whether there is an increased risk for iron and calcium deficiency in twin gestation. The study included 105 singleton and 9 twin [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to compare the iron and calcium status in singleton and twin pregnancies and to assess whether there is an increased risk for iron and calcium deficiency in twin gestation. The study included 105 singleton and 9 twin pregnancies at or above 35 weeks of gestation. Information on prenatal supplementation with iron or calcium was acquired, and adverse perinatal outcomes were recorded. Biosamples from all 114 mothers and 73 newborns (61 singleton and 12 twin newborns) were finally analyzed. Total iron and calcium concentrations in serum were measured through total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis. The results indicated no significant differences in maternal serum iron and calcium concentrations between singleton and twin pregnancies. Similarly, iron and calcium concentrations in newborn umbilical cord serum samples were not different between singleton and twin pregnancies. The comparison of total iron and calcium between mothers and umbilical cord serum indicated significantly lower concentrations in the mothers, with the differences being not homogenous but rather pair-specific. A significant positive correlation between maternal serum and umbilical cord serum calcium concentration was noticed. Prenatal iron supplementation was associated with higher iron concentrations in both mothers and newborns, supporting the efficiency of supplementation and the quality of the study methods. Collectively, the data indicate no significant differences in serum iron and calcium concentrations with regard to singleton or twin pregnancies and the efficiency of iron supplementation during pregnancy for increasing iron status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Supplements during Pregnancy (2nd Edition))

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22 pages, 1078 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Dietary Patterns and the Risk of Hyperemesis Gravidarum

by Wenjie Cheng, Lintian Li, Zhaoqing Long, Xiuxiu Ma, Fangyao Chen, Le Ma, Shunming Zhang and Jing Lin

Nutrients 2023, 15(15), 3300; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153300 - 25 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2235

Abstract

(1) Background: Although studies have suggested that dietary interventions may have potential benefits over conventional medical treatments, research on the association between dietary patterns and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) in pregnant women is scarce. (2) Methods: To explore the relationship between dietary patterns and [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Although studies have suggested that dietary interventions may have potential benefits over conventional medical treatments, research on the association between dietary patterns and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) in pregnant women is scarce. (2) Methods: To explore the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of HG, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Xi’an, China from April 2021 to September 2022. Dietary intake was assessed by a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire, and then factor analysis was used to derive dietary patterns. HG was defined as persistent and severe nausea and vomiting with weight loss ≥ 5%, pregnancy-unique quantification of emesis (PUQE) score ≥ 13, or hospitalization due to vomiting. Logistic regression models were used to estimate ORs and 95% CIs for HG according to dietary pattern scores. Stratified analyses and tests for interaction were performed by potential confounders. (3) Results: Of the 3122 pregnant women enrolled, 2515 individuals (mean age: 31.2 ± 3.4 years) were included in the final analysis. In total, 226 (8.9%) pregnant women were identified as having HG. Five dietary patterns were identified. After adjusting for covariates, the highest quartile of the “fish, shrimp and meat” and “egg, milk and water drinking” patterns was associated with a 37% and 58% lower risk of HG compared with the lowest quartile, respectively (p-trend < 0.05). Conversely, the highest quartile of the “beverage” pattern was associated with a 64% higher risk of HG compared with the lowest quartile (p-trend = 0.02). Furthermore, significant interactions were observed between the “egg, milk and water drinking” pattern and parity, employment status and nutritional supplement use (p-interaction < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: A diet rich in eggs, milk, seafood and unprocessed poultry and animal meat may be a protective factor against HG, while a diet high in beverages may be detrimental to HG. These associations may vary by parity, employment status and nutritional supplement use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Supplements during Pregnancy (2nd Edition))

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Review

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38 pages, 3441 KiB

Open AccessReview

Between Dysbiosis, Maternal Immune Activation and Autism: Is There a Common Pathway?

by Maria Suprunowicz, Natalia Tomaszek, Agata Urbaniak, Klaudia Zackiewicz, Stefan Modzelewski and Napoleon Waszkiewicz

Nutrients 2024, 16(4), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16040549 - 16 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5163

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuropsychiatric condition characterized by impaired social interactions and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. Growing evidence highlights an important role of the gut–brain–microbiome axis in the pathogenesis of ASD. Research indicates an abnormal composition of the gut microbiome and the [...] Read more.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuropsychiatric condition characterized by impaired social interactions and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. Growing evidence highlights an important role of the gut–brain–microbiome axis in the pathogenesis of ASD. Research indicates an abnormal composition of the gut microbiome and the potential involvement of bacterial molecules in neuroinflammation and brain development disruptions. Concurrently, attention is directed towards the role of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and impaired intestinal tightness. This comprehensive review emphasizes the potential impact of maternal gut microbiota changes on the development of autism in children, especially considering maternal immune activation (MIA). The following paper evaluates the impact of the birth route on the colonization of the child with bacteria in the first weeks of life. Furthermore, it explores the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-17a and mother’s obesity as potentially environmental factors of ASD. The purpose of this review is to advance our understanding of ASD pathogenesis, while also searching for the positive implications of the latest therapies, such as probiotics, prebiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation, targeting the gut microbiota and reducing inflammation. This review aims to provide valuable insights that could instruct future studies and treatments for individuals affected by ASD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Supplements during Pregnancy (2nd Edition))

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21 pages, 1845 KiB

Open AccessReview

Trophoblast Differentiation: Mechanisms and Implications for Pregnancy Complications

by Lauren Lawless, Yushu Qin, Linglin Xie and Ke Zhang

Nutrients 2023, 15(16), 3564; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15163564 - 12 Aug 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5050

Abstract

Placental development is a tightly controlled event, in which cell expansion from the trophectoderm occurs in a spatiotemporal manner. Proper trophoblast differentiation is crucial to the vitality of this gestational organ. Obstructions to its development can lead to pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, [...] Read more.

Placental development is a tightly controlled event, in which cell expansion from the trophectoderm occurs in a spatiotemporal manner. Proper trophoblast differentiation is crucial to the vitality of this gestational organ. Obstructions to its development can lead to pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth, posing severe health risks to both the mother and offspring. Currently, the only known treatment strategy for these complications is delivery, making it an important area of research. The aim of this review was to summarize the known information on the development and mechanistic regulation of trophoblast differentiation and highlight the similarities in these processes between the human and mouse placenta. Additionally, the known biomarkers for each cell type were compiled to aid in the analysis of sequencing technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Supplements during Pregnancy (2nd Edition))

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