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The Use of Gas Chromatography to Analyze Compositional Changes of Fatty Acids in Rat Liver Tissue during Pregnancy
Published on: March 13, 2014
Lipid and lipoprotein profile in physiological pregnancy
Giuseppe Lippi1, Alessandro Albiero, Martina Montagnana
1Sezione di Chimica e Microscopia Clinica, Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologico-Biomediche, Università di Verona, Italy. giuseppe.lippi@univr.it
Clinical Laboratory
|April 24, 2007
Summary
Physiological pregnancy significantly alters lipid and lipoprotein metabolism starting in the second trimester. Advanced pregnancy shows increased levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, impacting cardiovascular risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Physiological pregnancy involves significant metabolic adaptations, influencing lipid and lipoprotein metabolism.
- Previous studies on lipid and lipoprotein changes during pregnancy show wide variations in findings.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for accurate cardiovascular risk assessment in pregnant individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively evaluate lipid and lipoprotein profiles across different gestational ages in uncomplicated pregnancies.
- To compare these profiles with those of non-pregnant women to establish gestational age-specific reference ranges.
- To assess the prevalence of undesirable lipid values according to established cardiovascular guidelines during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 57 pregnant women (across three trimesters) and 21 non-pregnant controls.
- Analysis of conventional lipid parameters (total cholesterol, HDL-C, triglycerides) using Modular System P.
- Quantification of LDL-C (Friedewald formula), Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), and Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] using specific assays.
Main Results:
- All tested lipid parameters were significantly modified by gestational age.
- Pregnant women in the second and third trimesters showed increased total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, Total/HDL-C ratio, and Lp(a) compared to first-trimester and non-pregnant groups.
- Advanced pregnancy (second and third trimesters) was associated with a higher prevalence of undesirable lipid levels, including triglycerides in the third trimester.
Conclusions:
- Physiological pregnancy induces substantial modifications in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, particularly from the second trimester onwards.
- Established cardiovascular risk predictors undergo significant changes during gestation.
- The study provides essential reference ranges for lipid and lipoprotein parameters throughout pregnancy, aiding in risk assessment.
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