Effects of maternal antioxidant supplementation on maternal and fetal antioxidant levels: a randomized, double-blind study.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether vitamins C and E could be delivered to the fetal-placental unit through maternal oral supplementation.


METHODS
In a randomized, double-blind study, 20 women received a daily prenatal vitamin with or without 400 IU of vitamin E and 500 mg of vitamin C, starting at 35 weeks' gestation. At randomization, a nutritional questionnaire, plasma vitamin C and E and red blood cell (RBC) vitamin E levels were determined. At delivery, concentrations of maternal and fetal plasma vitamin C and E, maternal and fetal RBC vitamin E, amniotic fluid vitamin C, and chorioamnion vitamin E and tensile strength were determined.


RESULTS
Maternal plasma vitamin E levels increased in the supplemented women but not in the control subjects. No changes in maternal vitamin C levels were noted. Maternal plasma vitamin C concentrations at delivery correlated closely with amniotic fluid vitamin C levels. Similarly, maternal plasma vitamin E levels at delivery correlated with the chorioamnion concentration of vitamin E.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal plasma vitamin E levels are increased by oral supplementation. Maternal plasma vitamin C and E concentrations correlate with the concentration of vitamin C in the amniotic fluid and vitamin E in the chorioamnion, respectively.
Pressman
Eva K
EK
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
Cavanaugh
Judith L
JL
Mingione
Matthew
M
Norkus
Edward P
EP
Woods
James R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001682:Biological Availability; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid