The effect of maternal and cord-blood vitamin C, vitamin E and lipid peroxide levels on newborn birth weight

Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in threatened preterm labor

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in women with threatened preterm labor (TPL) and also to compare the levels of these oxidative stress biomarkers of TPL pregnancies that had preterm and term deliveries.

METHODS

This case-control study was conducted on 46 patients diagnosed with TPL and 47 healthy pregnant women matched for gestational age. Patients with threatened preterm labor were divided into two groups: true preterm birth (TPB) group (n = 16) and false preterm birth (FPB) group (n = 30) groups. Maternal serum SOD, TOS and TAS levels were measured by a spectrophotometric method using a commertial kit. OSI level for each patient was calculated by using the formula: (TOS (μmol·H2O2·equiv/L) × 100)/(TAS (μmol·Trolox·equiv/L)).

RESULTS

The mean TAS levels of the TPB and FPB groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (0.96 ± 0.3 vs 1.36 ± 0.34, p1 < 0.001; 0.97 ± 0.22 vs 1.36 ± 0.34, p2 < 0.001, respectively). The mean SOD, TOS and OSI levels of the TPB and FPB groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the TPB and FPB groups for any oxidative stress biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

The maternal serum oxidative stress biomarkers are increased in pregnancies with TPL. However, these are not effective in predicting preterm birth in pregnancies with TPL.

Maternal Vitamin C Intake during Pregnancy Influences Long-Term Offspring Growth with Timing- and Sex-Specific Effects in Guinea Pigs

Our previous work in guinea pigs revealed that low vitamin C intake during preconception and pregnancy adversely affects fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and foetal and neonatal growth in a sex-dependent manner. To investigate the long-term impact on offspring, we monitored their growth from birth to adolescence (four months), recorded organ weights at childhood equivalence (28 days) and adolescence, and assessed physiological parameters like oral glucose tolerance and basal cortisol concentrations. We also investigated the effects of the timing of maternal vitamin C restriction (early vs. late gestation) on pregnancy outcomes and the health consequences for offspring. Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were fed an optimal (900 mg/kg feed) or low (100 mg/kg feed) vitamin C diet ad libitum during preconception. Pregnant dams were then randomised into four feeding regimens: consistently optimal, consistently low, low during early pregnancy, or low during late pregnancy. We found that low maternal vitamin C intake during early pregnancy accelerated foetal and neonatal growth in female offspring and altered glucose homeostasis in the offspring of both sexes at an age equivalent to early childhood. Conversely, low maternal vitamin C intake during late pregnancy resulted in foetal growth restriction and reduced weight gain in male offspring throughout their lifespan. We conclude that altered vitamin C during development has long-lasting, sex-specific consequences for offspring and that the timing of vitamin C depletion is also critical, with low levels during early development being associated with the development of a metabolic syndrome-related phenotype, while later deprivation appears to be linked to a growth-faltering phenotype.

Vitamin D/Bone Mineral Density and Triglyceride Paradoxes Seen in African Americans: A Cross-Sectional Study and Review of the Literature

Vitamin D is known to have a positive effect on bone health. Despite the greater frequency of vitamin D deficiency in African Americans (AA), they have a higher bone mineral density (BMD) compared to whites, demonstrating a disconnect between BMD and vitamin D levels in AA. Another intriguing relationship seen in AA is the triglyceride (TG) paradox, an unusual phenomenon in which a normal TG status is observed even when patients house conditions known to be characterized by high TG levels, such as Type II diabetes. To the best of our knowledge, no study has examined whether these two paradoxical relationships exist simultaneously in AA subjects with Type II diabetes. In this study, we compared levels of blood markers, including HbA1c, TG, and vitamin D, measured as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)VD] µM/mL, [25(OH)VD]/TG, calcium, and BMD in AA (n = 56) and white (n = 26) subjects with Type II diabetes to see whether these relationships exist concurrently. We found that AA subjects had significantly lower TG and [25(OH)VD] levels and a significantly higher BMD status compared to white subjects, even when the ages, BMI, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, and calcium levels were similar between the two groups. This demonstrates that these two paradoxical relationships exist simultaneously in Type II diabetic AA subjects. In addition to these findings, we discuss the current hypotheses in the literature that attempt to explain why these two intriguing relationships exist. This review also discusses four novel hypotheses, such as altered circulating levels and the potential role of estrogen and hydrogen sulfide on BMD and HMG-CoA reductase as a possible contributor to the TG paradox in AA subjects. This manuscript demonstrates that there are still many unanswered questions regarding these two paradoxical relationships and further research is needed to determine why they exist and how they can be implemented to improve healthcare.

Effects of Low Vitamin C Intake on Fertility Parameters and Pregnancy Outcomes in Guinea Pigs

Identifying how specific nutrients can impact fertility, pregnancy, and neonatal outcomes will yield important insights into the biological mechanisms linking diet and reproductive health. Our study investigates how dietary vitamin C intake affects various fertility parameters and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in the guinea pig, a natural model of vitamin C dependency. Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were fed an optimal (900 mg/kg feed) or low (100 mg/kg feed) vitamin C diet ad libitum for at least three weeks prior to mating and throughout pregnancy. We found that animals receiving the low vitamin C diet had an increased number of unsuccessful matings, a higher incidence of foetal reabsorption, and, among pregnancies resulting in delivery at term, produced fewer offspring. Neonates from mothers on the low vitamin C diet had significantly decreased plasma vitamin C concentrations at birth and exhibited mild growth impairments in a sex-dependent manner. We conclude that a diet low of vitamin C induces a state of subfertility, reduces overall fecundity, and adversely impacts both pregnancy outcomes and growth in the offspring. Our study provides an essential foundation for future investigations to determine whether these findings translate to humans. If so, they could have important clinical implications for assisted reproductive technologies and nutritional recommendations for couples trying to conceive, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

The Epigenetic Role of Vitamin C in Neurodevelopment

The maternal diet during pregnancy is a key determinant of offspring health. Early studies have linked poor maternal nutrition during gestation with a propensity for the development of chronic conditions in offspring. These conditions include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and even compromised mental health. While multiple factors may contribute to these outcomes, disturbed epigenetic programming during early development is one potential biological mechanism. The epigenome is programmed primarily in utero, and during this time, the developing fetus is highly susceptible to environmental factors such as nutritional insults. During neurodevelopment, epigenetic programming coordinates the formation of primitive central nervous system structures, neurogenesis, and neuroplasticity. Dysregulated epigenetic programming has been implicated in the aetiology of several neurodevelopmental disorders such as Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome. Accordingly, there is great interest in determining how maternal nutrient availability in pregnancy might affect the epigenetic status of offspring, and how such influences may present phenotypically. In recent years, a number of epigenetic enzymes that are active during embryonic development have been found to require vitamin C as a cofactor. These enzymes include the ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenases (TETs) and the Jumonji C domain-containing histone lysine demethylases that catalyse the oxidative removal of methyl groups on cytosines and histone lysine residues, respectively. These enzymes are integral to epigenetic regulation and have fundamental roles in cellular differentiation, the maintenance of pluripotency and development. The dependence of these enzymes on vitamin C for optimal catalytic activity illustrates a potentially critical contribution of the nutrient during mammalian development. These insights also highlight a potential risk associated with vitamin C insufficiency during pregnancy. The link between vitamin C insufficiency and development is particularly apparent in the context of neurodevelopment and high vitamin C concentrations in the brain are indicative of important functional requirements in this organ. Accordingly, this review considers the evidence for the potential impact of maternal vitamin C status on neurodevelopmental epigenetics.

Maternal vitamin B3 and C intake in pregnancy influence birth weight at term

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of maternal nutrient intake during pregnancy on the baby's birth weight at term.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate a sample of women aged 18 to 44 y in the postpartum period in a public maternity department (2018-2019), with dietary intake collected by a validated food frequency questionnaire (n = 626 mother-offspring pairs). A multivariable linear regression model was used to identify the influence of nutrient intake during pregnancy on the baby's birth weight at term. The model was adjusted for maternal energy intake, education level, gestational age, physical activity, and supplementation during pregnancy.

RESULTS

Maternal intake of vitamins B₃ and C was associated with an increase in birth weight (respectively, β = 0.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.02; P = 0.01; and β = 0.01; 95% CI, 0.01-0.02; P = 0.02). Prepregnancy body mass index (β = 0.01; 95% CI, 0.01-0.02; P = 0.001), gestational weight gain (β = 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01-0.02; P < 0.001), parity (β = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02-0.09; P = 0.001), and male babies (β = 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01-0.02; P = 0.02) also contributed to increase birth weight. These variables explained about 27% of the variation of this outcome (adjusted R² = 0.27, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide evidence that maternal intake of vitamins B₃ and C influences increased birth weight. In addition, prepregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, parity, and male babies contribute to the same outcome.

Developmental retardation in neonates of aldehyde reductase (AKR1A)-deficient mice is associated with low ascorbic acid and high corticosterone levels

Aldehyde reductase encoded by the Akr1a gene catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of a variety of aldehyde compounds, and it plays a role in the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid (AsA) by converting D-glucuronate to L-gulonate. Although supplementing drinking water with AsA (1.5 mg/mL) ameliorates the fertility of Akr1a^-/- (KO) female mice, litter sizes in the KO mice are typically smaller than those for Akr1a^+/+ (WT) mice, and about one-third of the neonates have a reduced stature. Half of the neonates in the smallest, developmentally retarded group died before weaning, and the remaining half (less than 6 g in weight) also barely grew to adulthood. While no difference was found in the number of fetuses between the KO and WT mice at 14.5-embryonic days, the sizes of the KO fetuses had already diverged. Among the organs of these retarded KO neonates at 30 d, the spleen and thymus were characteristically small. While an examination of spleen cells showed the normal proportion of immune cells, apoptotic cell death was increased in the thymus, which would lead to thymic atrophy in the retarded KO neonates. Plasma AsA levels were lower in the small neonates despite the fact that their mothers had received sufficient AsA supplementation, and the corticosterone levels were inversely higher compared to wild-type mice. Thus, insufficient AsA contents together with a defect in corticosterone metabolism might be the cause of the retarded growth of the AKR1A-deficient mice embryos and neonates.

Adaptations of the human placenta to hypoxia: opportunities for interventions in fetal growth restriction

BACKGROUND

The placenta is the functional interface between the mother and the fetus during pregnancy, and a critical determinant of fetal growth and life-long health. In the first trimester, it develops under a low-oxygen environment, which is essential for the conceptus who has little defense against reactive oxygen species produced during oxidative metabolism. However, failure of invasive trophoblasts to sufficiently remodel uterine arteries toward dilated vessels by the end of the first trimester can lead to reduced/intermittent blood flow, persistent hypoxia and oxidative stress in the placenta with consequences for fetal growth. Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is observed in ∼10% of pregnancies and is frequently seen in association with other pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia (PE). FGR is one of the main challenges for obstetricians and pediatricians, as smaller fetuses have greater perinatal risks of morbidity and mortality and postnatal risks of neurodevelopmental and cardio-metabolic disorders.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

The aim of this review was to examine the importance of placental responses to changing oxygen environments during abnormal pregnancy in terms of cellular, molecular and functional changes in order to highlight new therapeutic pathways, and to pinpoint approaches aimed at enhancing oxygen supply and/or mitigating oxidative stress in the placenta as a mean of optimizing fetal growth.

SEARCH METHODS

An extensive online search of peer-reviewed articles using PubMed was performed with combinations of search terms including pregnancy, placenta, trophoblast, oxygen, hypoxia, high altitude, FGR and PE (last updated in May 2020).

OUTCOMES

Trophoblast differentiation and placental establishment are governed by oxygen availability/hypoxia in early pregnancy. The placental response to late gestational hypoxia includes changes in syncytialization, mitochondrial functions, endoplasmic reticulum stress, hormone production, nutrient handling and angiogenic factor secretion. The nature of these changes depends on the extent of hypoxia, with some responses appearing adaptive and others appearing detrimental to the placental support of fetal growth. Emerging approaches that aim to increase placental oxygen supply and/or reduce the impacts of excessive oxidative stress are promising for their potential to prevent/treat FGR.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

There are many risks and challenges of intervening during pregnancy that must be considered. The establishment of human trophoblast stem cell lines and organoids will allow further mechanistic studies of the effects of hypoxia and may lead to advanced screening of drugs for use in pregnancies complicated by placental insufficiency/hypoxia. Since no treatments are currently available, a better understanding of placental adaptations to hypoxia would help to develop therapies or repurpose drugs to optimize placental function and fetal growth, with life-long benefits to human health.

Influence of maternal labor time on delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase enzyme activity and markers of oxidative stress in newborns

The purpose is to determine markers of oxidative stress related to the longer and shorter duration of labor (DOL) of pregnant women in the umbilical cord blood of neonates, not yet studied. Blood samples from the umbilical cord were collected from pregnant women with normal delivery and classified according to DOL in two groups: a group with DOL less than 310 min (n = 33) and a group with DOL greater than or equal to 310 min (n = 35). The oxidative stress parameters were analyzed by the quantification of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitrate/nitrite (NOx), protein thiol groups (P-SH) and non-protein (NP-SH), vitamin C and plasma iron reduction capacity (FRAP), in addition to the activity of the enzyme delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D). The activity of the δ-ALA-D enzyme was shown to be decreased in longer DOL, however, the oxidant parameters and antioxidants were higher in the longer DOL, with the exception of NP-SH that was lower. The longer maternal DOL time is related to the alteration of δ-ALA-D enzyme activity and other parameters in neonates, suggesting an increase in the passage of maternal oxidative markers by umbilical cord blood.

Maternal fruit and vegetable or vitamin C consumption during pregnancy is associated with fetal growth and infant growth up to 6 months: results from the Korean Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) cohort study

Background

Based on data obtained from pregnant women who participated in the Mothers and Children’s Environmental Health (MOCEH) study in South Korea, we aimed to determine whether maternal intake of fruits and vegetables or vitamin C is associated with fetal and infant growth.

Methods

A total of 1138 Korean pregnant women at 12–28 weeks gestation with their infants were recruited as study participants for the MOCEH. Intake of fruits and vegetables or vitamin C during pregnancy was assessed by a 1-day 24-h recall method. Fetal biometry was determined by ultrasonography at late pregnancy. Infant weight and length were measured at birth and 6 months.

Results

A multiple regression analysis after adjusting for covariates showed that maternal intake of fruits and vegetables was positively associated with the biparietal diameter of the fetus and infant’s weight from birth to 6 months. Also, maternal vitamin C intake was positively associated with the abdominal circumference of the fetus and infant birth length. In addition, there was a significant inverse relationship between consumption of fruits and vegetables (below the median compared to above the median of ≥519 g/d) and the risk of low growth (<25th percentile) of biparietal diameter (odds ratio (OR): 2.220; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.153–4.274) and birth weight (OR: 1.434; 95% CI: 1.001–2.056). A significant inverse relationship also existed between vitamin C consumption (below vs above the estimated average requirement (EAR) of ≥85 mg/d) and the risk of low growth (<25th percentile) of birth weight (OR: 1.470; 95% CI: 1.011–2.139), weight from birth to 6 months (OR: 1.520; 95% CI: 1.066–2.165), and length at birth (OR: 1.579; 95% CI: 1.104–2.258).

Conclusions

An increased intake of fruits and vegetables or vitamin C at mid-pregnancy is associated with increased fetal growth and infant growth up to 6 months of age.

Higher Level of Oxidative Stress Markers in Small for Gestational Age Newborns Delivered by Cesarean Section at Term

INTRODUCTION

The aim of our study was to determine lipid peroxidation products and antioxidant enzyme activity in umbilical cord blood of small for gestational age (SGA) neonates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Umbilical cord arterial blood samples were collected from 21-term singleton SGA newborn infants and 21 age- and sex-matched appropriate for gestational age (AGA) term neonates prospectively born by elective cesarean section for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) for antioxidant activity.

RESULTS

MDA levels were increased (5.20 vs. 3.52 nmol/mL; p < 0.001), while levels of SOD (6.24 vs. 8.99 U/mL; p < 0.01) were decreased in SGA neonates when compared with AGA newborn infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated MDA levels and decreased SOD activity in umbilical cord blood may show the possibility of insufficient protective mechanisms against increased oxidative stress in SGA neonates born by cesarean section.

Nutrition of Black Women During Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To examine the consistency and adequacy of nutritional intake in a population of Black women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

DESIGN

This was a longitudinal descriptive study. Data were collected from women with low-risk pregnancies at 22- to 24-week prenatal visits and two subsequent visits.

SETTING

Participants were recruited from urban prenatal clinics in one city in the Northeastern United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Pregnant women who self-identified as Black (N = 195).

METHODS

A 24-hour diet recall was obtained at each of the three study time points. Food models and measuring cups were used to improve the accuracy of portion size reporting. Data from diet recalls were manually entered in Food Processor software to compute nutritional content.

RESULTS

A linear mixed-effects model was used to examine dietary intake. Dietary patterns were stable from the second to the third trimesters, and caloric intake was inadequate. Women met minimal daily requirements for carbohydrate and protein intake, but the overall percentages of fat, protein, and carbohydrates indicated that additional calories needed to come from protein. Although more than 80% of women regularly took prenatal vitamins, micronutrient and fiber intake were consistently inadequate.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal care to help women identify foods that are rich in fiber, protein, and micronutrients is important for the health of women and newborns. Knowing that nutritional intake is consistently inadequate, nurses can counsel pregnant women whenever they have contact with them to attempt to improve nutritional intake and make women aware of inexpensive nutrient sources.

Poor Vitamin C Status Late in Pregnancy Is Associated with Increased Risk of Complications in Type 1 Diabetic Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Vitamin C (vitC) is essential for normal pregnancy and fetal development and poor vitC status has been related to complications of pregnancy. We have previously shown lower vitC status in diabetic women throughout pregnancy compared to that of non-diabetic controls. Here, we evaluate the relationship between vitC status late in diabetic pregnancy in relation to fetal outcome, complications of pregnancy, diabetic characteristics, and glycemic control based on data of 47 women from the same cohort. We found a significant relationship between the maternal vitC level > or ≤ the 50% percentile of 26.6 μmol/L, respectively, and the umbilical cord blood vitC level (mean (SD)): 101.0 μmol/L (16.6) versus 78.5 μmol/L (27.8), p = 0.02; n = 12/16), while no relation to birth weight or Apgar score was observed. Diabetic women with complications of pregnancy had significantly lower vitC levels compared to the women without complications (mean (SD): 24.2 μmol/L (10.6) vs. 34.6 μmol/L (14.4), p = 0.01; n = 19 and 28, respectively) and the subgroup of women (about 28%) characterized by hypovitaminosis C (<23 μmol/L) had an increased relative risk of complications of pregnancy that was 2.4 fold higher than the one found in the group of women with a vitC status above this level (p = 0.02, 95% confidence interval 1.2-4.4). No correlation between diabetic characteristics of the pregnant women and vitC status was observed, while a negative association of maternal vitC with HbA1c at delivery was found at regression analysis (r = -0.39, p < 0.01, n = 46). In conclusion, our results may suggest that hypovitaminosis C in diabetic women is associated with increased risk of complications of pregnancy.

Maternal vitamin C deficiency during pregnancy results in transient fetal and placental growth retardation in guinea pigs

PURPOSE

Recently, we reported that preferential maternal-fetal vitamin C (vitC) transport across the placenta is likely to be impaired by prolonged maternal vitC deficiency. Maintenance of a basal maternal vitC supply at the expense of the fetus may impair fetal development; however, the knowledge of vitC's impact on intrauterine development is sparse. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of maternal vitC status on fetal and placental development in guinea pigs.

METHODS

Twenty pregnant Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were randomized into four groups to receive diets either sufficient (918 mg/kg CTRL) or deficient (100 mg/kg DEF) in vitC. Cesarean sections at gestational day (GD) 45 or 56 allowed for fetal and placental measurements.

RESULTS

At GD45, body, brain and placental weights were significantly reduced in DEF pups compared with CTRL (p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). DEF plasma vitC levels were ~6% of those of CTRL (p < 0.0001), and the fetal/maternal plasma vitC ratio was significantly reduced at GD56 in the DEF animals compared with controls (p = 0.035). Placental vitC levels were reduced in DEF animals (p < 0.0001) and the ascorbate oxidation ratio and glutathione elevated compared with controls (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although no clinical differences between CTRL and DEF pups were observed at GD56, the present data suggest that vitC plays a role in early fetal development. Although no clinical differences between CTRL and DEF pups were observed at GD56, the present data suggest that vitC plays a role in early fetal development. Low maternal vitC intake during pregnancy may compromise maternal weight gain, placental function and intrauterine development.

The effects of prenatal oxidative stress levels on infant adiposity development during the first year of life

Although numerous studies have been conducted to examine the causal factors of childhood obesity, the implications of intrauterine oxidative stress on early postnatal adiposity development remain to be elucidated. The Universiti Sains Malaysia Birth Cohort Study aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal oxidative stress levels on the development of infant adiposity during the first year of life. This study was conducted on the healthy pregnant women aged 19–40 years, from April 2010 to December 2012 in Kelantan, Malaysia. Maternal blood samples were drawn in the second trimester to analyse for oxidative stress markers. Infant anthropometric measurements were taken at birth, 2, 6 and 12 months of age. A total of 153 pregnant women and full-term infants were included in the analysis. Statistical test was conducted by using multiple linear regression. Through the infant first year of life, as maternal DNA damage level in the second trimester increased, infant weights at birth (β=−0.122, P<0.001), 2 months (β=−0.120, P=0013), 6 months (β=−0.209, P=0.003) and 12 months of age (β=−0.241, P=0.006) decreased after adjusting for confounders. Similar results were noted when infant body mass index-for-age Z-scores and triceps skinfold-for-age Z-scores were used as the adiposity indicators. In conclusion, the present study shows a consistent inverse association between maternal DNA damage and infant adiposity during the first year of life. These infants with reduced growth and adiposity in early postnatal life may have a high tendency to experience catch-up growth during childhood, which could be strongly associated with later obesity.

Oxidative stress markers and micronutrients in maternal and cord blood in relation to neonatal outcome

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Oxidative stress and micronutrient deficiencies have been related to lower birth weight (BW), small for gestational age (SGA) offspring and preterm delivery.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

The relation between neonatal outcome (BW, head circumference, SGA, preterm delivery) with markers of oxidative stress and micronutrients in maternal and cord blood was to be examined. Oxidative stress markers (protein carbonyls (PrCarb), 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT), malondialdehyde (MDA)), total protein concentration and lipid-soluble micronutrients (carotenoids, retinol, tocopherols) were measured in 200 newborns (11% preterms, 13% SGA) and 151 mothers. Associations between target parameters in cord plasma and maternal serum with BW, head circumference and risk of being SGA or preterm were explored.

RESULTS

Maternal protein concentration, PrCarb, MDA and all lipid-soluble micronutrients were significantly higher compared with newborns, except for 3NT, which was significantly elevated in newborns. Newborn parameters correlated positively with those of mothers. Preterms had lower proteins and retinol but higher PrCarb than terms. Maternal PrCarb and retinol were inversely associated with BW and head circumference. Mothers with PrCarb, MDA and retinol in the highest quintile had a 3.3-fold (0.9; 12.1), 2.1-fold (0.7; 6.4) and 3.3-fold (1.2; 9.4) risk, respectively, for delivering an SGA newborn, whereas the lowest quintile of retinol in cord blood was associated with an increased risk for preterm delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Oxidative stress (elevated PrCarb) was associated with lower BW/head circumference and SGA. Inadequate hemodilution may explain the inverse relation of maternal retinol with BW and head circumference, and the association between highest maternal retinol and risk for SGA.

Dietary benzo(a)pyrene intake during pregnancy and birth weight: associations modified by vitamin C intakes in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)

BACKGROUND

Maternal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) during pregnancy has been associated with reduced fetal growth. However, the role of diet, the main source of PAH exposure among non-smokers, remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To assess associations between maternal exposure to dietary intake of the genotoxic PAH benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] during pregnancy and birth weight, exploring potential effect modification by dietary intakes of vitamins C, E and A, hypothesized to influence PAH metabolism.

METHODS

This study included 50,651 women in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Dietary B(a)P and nutrient intakes were estimated based on total consumption obtained from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and estimated based on food composition data. Data on infant birth weight were obtained from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). Multivariate regression was used to assess associations between dietary B(a)P and birth weight, evaluating potential interactions with candidate nutrients.

RESULTS

The multivariate-adjusted coefficient (95%CI) for birth weight associated with maternal energy-adjusted B(a)P intake was -20.5g (-31.1, -10.0) in women in the third compared with the first tertile of B(a)P intake. Results were similar after excluding smokers. Significant interactions were found between elevated intakes of vitamin C (>85mg/day) and dietary B(a)P during pregnancy for birth weight (P<0.05), but no interactions were found with other vitamins. The multivariate-adjusted coefficients (95%CI) for birth weight in women in the third compared with the first tertile of B(a)P intake were -44.4g (-76.5, -12.3) in the group with low vitamin C intakes vs. -17.6g (-29.0, -6.1) in the high vitamin C intake group.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that higher prenatal exposure to dietary B(a)P may reduce birth weight. Lowering maternal intake of B(a)P and increasing dietary vitamin C intake during pregnancy may help to reduce any adverse effects of B(a)P on birth weight.

The nutritional requirements of infants. Towards EU alignment of reference values: the EURRECA network

This paper presents a review of the current knowledge regarding the macro- and micronutrient requirements of infants and discusses issues related to these requirements during the first year of life. The paper also reviews the current reference values used in European countries and the methodological approaches used to derive them by a sample of seven European and international authoritative committees from which background scientific reports are available. Throughout the paper, the main issues contributing to disparities in micronutrient reference values for infants are highlighted. The identification of these issues in relation to the specific physiological aspects of infants is important for informing future initiatives aimed at providing standardized approaches to overcome variability of micronutrient reference values across Europe for this age group.

Chromium dinicocysteinate supplementation can lower blood glucose, CRP, MCP-1, ICAM-1, creatinine, apparently mediated by elevated blood vitamin C and adiponectin and inhibition of NFkappaB, Akt, and Glut-2 in livers of zucker diabetic fatty rats

Chromium and cysteine supplementation can improve glucose metabolism in animal studies. This study examined the hypothesis that a cysteinate complex of chromium is significantly beneficial than either of them in lowering blood glucose and vascular inflammation markers in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Starting at the age of 6 wk, ZDF rats were supplemented orally (daily gavages for 8 more weeks) with saline-placebo (D) or chromium (400 microg Cr/Kg body weight) as chromium dinicocysteinate (CDNC), chromium dinicotinate (CDN) or chromium picolinate (CP) or equimolar L-cysteine (LC, img/Kg body weight), and fed Purina 5008 diet for 8 wk. ZDF rats of 6 wk age before any supplementations and onset of diabetes were considered as baseline. D rats showed elevated levels of fasting blood glucose, HbA(1), CRP, MCP-1, ICAM-1 and oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation) and lower adiponectin and vitamin C, when compared with baseline rats. In comparison to D group, CDNC group had significantly lower blood glucose, HbA(1), CRP, MCP-1, ICAM-1 and lipid peroxidation and increased vitamin C and adiponectin levels. CDN, CP or LC showed significantly less or no effect on these biomarkers. Only CDNC lowered blood creatinine levels in comparison to D. While CDN and CP had no effect, activation of NFkappaB, Akt and glucose transporter-2 levels were decreased, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) activation increased in livers of CDNC-rats. CDNC effect on glycemia, NFkappaB, Akt and IRS-1 in liver was significantly greater compared with LC. Blood chromium levels did not differ between Cr-groups. Exogenous vitamin C supplementation significantly inhibited MCP-1 secretion in U937 monocytes cultured in high-glucose-medium. CDNC is a potent hypoglycemic compound with anti-inflammatory activity apparently mediated by elevated blood vitamin C and adiponectin and inhibition of NFkappaB, Akt, and Glut-2 and increased IRS-1 activation in livers of type 2 diabetic rats.

Mechanism of delayed puberty in rats whose mothers consumed Hibiscus sabdariffa during lactation

CONTEXT

Extract of the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (HS) (Malvaceae) has been reported to decrease fluid and food intake in lactating rats through a mechanism not yet fully understood. It has also been reported that rat pups undernourished during lactation have delayed puberty onset, suggesting a link between nutrition and onset of puberty. There is paucity of data addressing the effect of maternal consumption of HS during lactation on the onset of puberty in the female offspring.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was designed to investigate whether consumption of HS during lactation will affect the onset of puberty and to examine the possible mechanism underlying this.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Lactating Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly grouped into three on postnatal day one. One group had tap water (control); another had 0.6 g aqueous HS extract/100 mL, while the third had 1.8 g aqueous HS extract/100 mL as their drinking solution throughout lactation. Maternal fluid consumption, food consumption, weight gain, plasma Na(+) and corticosterone concentrations were determined. Offspring weights were recorded at 0, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days. Ages at onset of puberty and body weights were also recorded.

RESULTS

A decreased maternal fluid and food intake and an increased maternal plasma Na(+) and corticosterone concentration were observed in HS dams. The HS treated female offspring showed delayed onset of puberty.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The accelerated growth and delayed puberty in the HS offspring may be through increased corticosterone and decreased leptin delivery through breast milk.

Maternal alcohol consumption may influence cord blood ascorbic acid concentration: findings from a study of Brazilian mothers and their newborns

Studies that have investigated ascorbic acid (AA) concentrations in cord blood have pointed to significant associations with maternal blood AA concentrations, smoking, age, diet, type of delivery, duration of gestation, fetal distress and birth weight. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between cord blood AA concentrations in newborns and maternal characteristics. A total of 117 Brazilian healthy parturients were included in this cross-sectional study. The concentrations of AA in blood were determined by the HPLC method. Data concerning socio-economic, demographic, obstetric, nutritional and health characteristics of the parturients, including alcohol consumption and smoking habit, were assessed by a standardised questionnaire. A FFQ was used to investigate the intake of foods rich in vitamin C. Cord blood AA concentration was significantly correlated with per capita income (r 0.26; P = 0.005), maternal blood AA concentration (r 0.48; P < 0.001) and maternal vitamin C-rich food intake score (r 0.36; P < 0.001). The linear regression model including maternal AA concentration, alcohol consumption, smoking, parity, vitamin C-rich food intake score and per capita income explained 31.13 % of the variation in cord blood AA concentrations in newborns. We recommend further experimental studies to assess the effects of ethanol on placental AA uptake, and epidemiological cohort studies to evaluate in detail the influence of maternal alcohol consumption on cord blood AA concentrations.