Placental Passage of Free and Esterified Phytosterols in Humans

Università Politecnica delle Marche68 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Mother Fetus Relations

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 20 YearsMax age: 40 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

total cholesterol concentrations

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.