title: Placental MFSD2a transporter is related to decreased DHA in cord blood of women with treated gestational diabetes.
abstract: Maternal-fetal transfer of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is impaired by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. MFSD2a was recently recognized as a lyso-phospholipid (lyso-PL) transporter that facilitates DHA accretion in brain. The role of this transporter in placenta is uncertain. We evaluated effects of GDM and its treatment (diet or insulin) on phospholipid species, fatty acid profile in women, cord blood and placental fatty acid carriers.
  
  
  
  Prospective observational study of pregnant women recruited in the third trimester (25 controls, 23 GDM-diet, 20 GDM-insulin). Fetal ultrasound was performed at gestational week 38. At delivery, maternal and neonatal anthropometry was performed, and fatty acids in total lipids and phospholipid species were analyzed in placenta, maternal and venous cord blood. Western-blot analyses were performed for placental fatty acid carriers.
  
  
  
  Fetal abdominal circumference z-score at 38 weeks tended to higher values in GDM (P = 0.071), pointing toward higher fetal fat accretion in these babies. DHA percentage in cord serum total lipids (P = 0.029) and lyso-PL (P = 0.169) were reduced in GDM. Placental MFSD2a was reduced in both GDM groups and was positively correlated to DHA values in cord serum total lipids (r = 0.388, P = 0.003). Among established placental lipid carriers, only FATP4 was correlated to DHA concentration in placental lyso-PL. In all compartments, DHA percentage was inversely correlated to fetal abdominal circumference.
  
  
  
  In offspring of women with GDM treated either with diet or insulin, higher fetal fat accretion and lower placental MFSD2a contribute to reduce DHA availability. Lyso-PL appear to contribute to materno-fetal DHA transport.
authors: Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinical Hospital, University of Murcia, Spain.
authors: María T
authors: MT
authors: Prieto-Sánchez
authors: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Spain.
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Ruiz-Palacios
authors: Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinical Hospital, University of Murcia, Spain.
authors: José E
authors: JE
authors: Blanco-Carnero
authors: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Spain.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Pagan
authors: Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, München, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Hellmuth
authors: Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, München, Germany.
authors: Olaf
authors: O
authors: Uhl
authors: Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, München, Germany.
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Peissner
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology B and Immunology, University of Murcia, Spain.
authors: Antonio J
authors: AJ
authors: Ruiz-Alcaraz
authors: Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinical Hospital, University of Murcia, Spain.
authors: Juan J
authors: JJ
authors: Parrilla
authors: Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, München, Germany.
authors: Berthold
authors: B
authors: Koletzko
authors: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, Spain. Electronic address: elvirada@um.es.
authors: Elvira
authors: E
authors: Larqué
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004032:Diet; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D050612:Fatty Acid Transport Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies; D027981:Symporters; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D050612:Fatty Acid Transport Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids; D007328:Insulin; C549328:MFSD2A protein, human; D010743:Phospholipids; C493571:SLC27A4 protein, human; D027981:Symporters; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids
keywords: Diabetes; Fatty acids transport; Lysophospholipids; MFSD2a; Omega-3 fatty acids; Placenta