Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Subfractions during Pregnancy: Accumulation of Buoyant LDL with Advancing Gestation

Abstract

Pregnancy is accompanied by changes in the maternal lipoprotein metabolism that may serve to satisfy the nutritional demands of the fetus. In this study lipoprotein metabolism was investigated in 23 women during normal pregnancy in the first, second, and third trimesters and in 15 healthy nonpregnant women with regular menstrual cycles. Lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations were measured in total plasma, very low density, intermediate density, low density (LDL), and high density lipoproteins, and in each of six LDL subfractions. During early pregnancy, triglycerides, and dense LDL were higher than in the nonpregnant state. With advancing gestation, triglycerides increased and the distribution of apolipoprotein B-100-containing lipoproteins became increasingly dominated by the accumulation of very low density and intermediate density lipoproteins and buoyant, triglyceride-rich LDL. This is the first study that investigates LDL subfractions in pregnancy using a method that strictly separates LDL subfractions by virtue of density. The accumulation of buoyant, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins may be related to the down-regulation of maternal lipase activities by placental hormones. As a consequence, the metabolic changes of late pregnancy may result in an increased flux of lipoprotein-derived lipids to the placenta, which, with advancing gestation, increasingly expresses receptors with a high affinity for triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.

Preterm delivery and low maternal serum cholesterol level: any correlation?

“…21 Alterations in placental cholesterol concentrations have been associated with changes in placental transport functions during gestation. 22 The physiologic hypercholesterolemia of later pregnancy 23,24 therefore suggests an adaptive function for pregnancy maintenance. 25 It is thus hypothesized specifically that low maternal serum cholesterol may increase the risk for preterm delivery.…”

Perfil Lipídico Por Trimestre De Gestación en Una Población De Mujeres Adultas

“…Numerosos estudios hablan que durante el segundo trimestre del embarazo comienza a observarse un importante aumento en la concentración de CT y de TG, debido a que en los dos primeros trimestres se produce un aumento de depósito de grasa en tejido adiposo, consecuencia de un aumento en la lipogénesis (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)10).…”

“…Al inicio el embarazo es considerado una fase anabólica, caracterizada por un aumento en la producción hepática de triglicéridos (TG), y la remoción de los TG circulantes resulta en un incremento en los depósitos grasos de los adipocitos maternos; en contraste el último trimestre de embarazo es referido como una etapa catabólica, donde se aumenta la liberación de los ácidos grasos desde los adipocitos debido al estímulo de la lipasa sensible a hormonas placentarias (1,(5)(6)(7). Estos cambios metabólicos permiten a la gestante almacenar energía en la primera etapa del embarazo para los altos requerimientos energéticos de la última etapa (8); como consecuencia de estos cambios el metabolismo lipídico materno está alterado en el embarazo.…”

Pattern Of Changes In Plasma Lipids And Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels Through Normal Pregnancy And Peurperum In Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

“…During pregnancy, maternal metabolism must satisfy the demands of the developing fetus in addition to the energy requirements of the mother 1 . The growth of the foetus is a complex process guided by an interplay between mother, placenta, and fetus 2 .…”