Increased LDL cholesterol and CRP in infants of mothers with type 1 diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Proatherogenic stimuli during foetal life may predispose to development of atherosclerosis in adulthood. Elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and C-reactive protein (CRP) expression is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis.


RESULTS
In this study, we examined how maternal type 1 diabetes affects foetal plasma LDL cholesterol and CRP. In comparison with healthy mothers, the plasma LDL cholesterol was not increased in the mothers with diabetes, however, the umbilical-cord plasma LDL cholesterol was increased in their infants. CRP was increased in infants of mothers with diabetes and high haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c, > or = 6.2%). Human placenta expresses microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), which facilitates secretion of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. Microsomal triglyceride transfer activity was slightly higher (11%) in placentas from mothers with diabetes and HbA1c > or = 6.2% compared with the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that maternal type 1 diabetes increases the foetal plasma LDL cholesterol and CRP concentration and thus might predispose the offspring to development of atherosclerosis.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. marie_lasse@dadlnet.dk
Marie L S
ML
Lindegaard
Eva M M
EM
Svarrer
Peter
P
Damm
Elisabeth R
ER
Mathiesen
Lars B
LB
Nielsen
D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D001724:Birth Weight; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008861:Microsomes / Q000378:metabolism; D009035:Mothers; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides