Association of omega-3 fatty acids and homocysteine concentrations in pre-eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
The present study examines the associations of folic acid, vitamin B₁₂ and omega-3 fatty acids and increased homocysteine which are implicated in the pathology of pre-eclampsia.


METHODS
49 Pre-eclamptic and 57 normotensive women were recruited at Bharati hospital, Pune, India. Plasma folate, vitamin B₁₂, homocysteine and erythrocyte omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids were analyzed.


RESULTS
Homocysteine concentrations were higher in pre-eclamptic than in normotensive women (14.28±7.31 vs. 11.03±4.38 μmol/l, p<0.01) despite similar levels of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂. In the pre-eclamptic group, plasma folate levels were positively associated with erythrocyte omega-6 fatty acids (p<0.05) while erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid levels were negatively associated with plasma homocysteine levels (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study provides evidence for the associations of altered omega-3 fatty acids especially docosahexaenoic acid and the resultant increased homocysteine concentrations in pre-eclampsia. Future studies need to examine if docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during pregnancy reduces homocysteine levels and ameliorates the risk of developing pre-eclampsia.
Kulkarni
Asmita
A
Dept of Nutritional Medicine, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune-Satara Road, Pune 411043, Maharashtra, India.
Mehendale
Savita
S
Pisal
Hemlata
H
Kilari
Anitha
A
Dangat
Kamini
K
Salunkhe
Satyajeet
S
Taralekar
Vaishali
V
Joshi
Sadhana
S
D000328:Adult; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008019:Life Style; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D039401:Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12