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Increased LDL cholesterol and CRP in infants of mothers with type 1 diabetes

Marie L S Lindegaard1, Eva M M Svarrer, Peter Damm

  • 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. marie_lasse@dadlnet.dk

Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews
|June 14, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Maternal type 1 diabetes elevates fetal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, potentially increasing offspring

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal Medicine
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis risk can be influenced by fetal development.
  • Elevated LDL cholesterol and CRP are linked to increased atherosclerosis risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of maternal type 1 diabetes on fetal plasma LDL cholesterol and CRP levels.
  • To explore the role of placental microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) activity.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of LDL cholesterol and CRP in infants of mothers with and without type 1 diabetes.
  • Measurement of MTP activity in placental tissue.
  • Analysis of maternal hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels.

Main Results:

  • Infants born to mothers with type 1 diabetes showed increased umbilical-cord plasma LDL cholesterol and CRP.
  • Maternal diabetes with high HbA1c (≥6.2%) correlated with higher infant CRP.
  • Placentas from mothers with diabetes and high HbA1c exhibited slightly increased MTP activity.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal type 1 diabetes appears to increase fetal LDL cholesterol and CRP.
  • These findings suggest a potential predisposition to adult atherosclerosis in offspring.
  • Placental MTP may play a role in altered lipoprotein metabolism during pregnancy.
Abstract

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