Hyperlipidemia is a known cause of atherosclerosis and directly contributes to the current epidemic in cardio-vascular disease. Pregnancy is typified by an increase in serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides pushed by the rise in estrogen, progesterone and lactogen. Mobilization of stored fat depots in late pregnancy may provide a reservoir of fatty acids for fetal growth and placental tissue steroid synthesis. This physiologic increase in lipids performs an essential role during pregnancy. However, elevated levels of lipids in predisposed women can carry increased risk for maternal-fetal complications. Hyperlipidemia during pregnancy is associated with preeclampsia, preterm birth and gestational diabetes. Lipid profile abnormalities in maternal patients with GDM increase the risk of vascular injury, which may lead to endothelial dysfunction. Offspring of these mothers show a propensity to enhanced fatty streak formation and an increased risk of progressive atherosclerosis, neurological, cognitive and emotional disorders
The gut microbiota has attracted increasing attention during the last several years as a key player in the pathophysiology of chronic disease. Microbiome is considered to be the link between metabolic disorders, obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Recent findings have related the intestinal microbiota to a plethora of pathological conditions, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, cholelithiasis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. This review presents potential mechanisms for the development of these diseases in response to changes in the gut microbiota. They involve increased gut permeability, low-grade inflammation and autoantibodies. Many studies contradict each other, which confirms the need for further scientific research in this area.
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