Changes in LDL size and HDL concentration in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.
The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in lipids, apolipoproteins and lipoproteins in Portuguese pregnant women and their potential involvement in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. A cross-sectional study was performed by collecting blood samples in the first (n=64), second (n=48) and third (n=67) trimesters and puerperium (n=32) of normal pregnancies. Samples from preeclamptic women were obtained in the third trimester (n=51) and in puerperium (n=26). As normal pregnancy progressed and triglyceride (TG) levels rose there was a decrease in low density lipoprotein (LDL) size, as measured by peak and mean particle diameter (MPD), with an increased proportion of atherogenic small dense LDL. Preeclamptic women exhibited, in the third trimester and puerperium, higher mean serum TG concentration and lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) levels compared with healthy pregnant women. In the third trimester, LDL-mean particle diameter (LDL-MPD) and LDL cholesterol-apolipoprotein B (LDLc-apo B) ratio were also significantly reduced in the pathologic group. We conclude that human gestation is associated with an 'atherogenic' lipid profile that is further enhanced in preeclampsia and that this profile may be a potential contributor to endothelial cell dysfunction.
Belo
Luís
L
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Anibal Cunha 164, 4050-047, Porto, Portugal. luis_fbelo@yahoo.com
Caslake
Muriel
M
Gaffney
Dairena
D
Santos-Silva
Alice
A
Pereira-Leite
Luís
L
Quintanilha
Alexandre
A
Rebelo
Irene
I
D000328:Adult; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010316:Particle Size; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012016:Reference Values; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides