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Updated: Mar 8, 2026
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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
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Trans fatty acid accumulation in the human placenta
Yoshiro Wada1, Shumi Yoshida-Yamamoto2, Yoshinao Wada3
1Pediatrics, Rinku General Medical Center, 2-23, Rinku Ourai Kita, Izumisano, Osaka, 598-8577, Japan.
Journal of Mass Spectrometry : JMS
|January 27, 2017
Summary
Trans fatty acids, specifically trans-octadecenoic acids (TOAs), accumulate in the placenta during pregnancy. This study developed a method to quantify TOAs in human placenta, revealing higher levels in term than preterm samples.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Human Physiology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Trans fatty acids (TFAs) are linked to adverse fetal outcomes, but their placental concentration is unknown.
- A reliable quantification method for TFAs in human tissues is needed.
- Trans-octadecenoic acids (TOAs) are a major component of TFAs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a method for quantifying TOAs in human placenta.
- To determine TOA levels in placentas across different gestational ages.
- To investigate the relationship between TOAs, oleic acid (OA), and gestational age.
Main Methods:
- Developed a quantification method using isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
- Measured TOAs and oleic acid (OA) by analyzing the ratio of peak areas (TOAs/OA).
- Analyzed lipids from 28 human placentas (28–41 weeks gestation).
Main Results:
- Method validation showed a limit of detection of 0.57 ng for elaidic acid and good linearity for TOAs.
- TOA levels were significantly higher in term placentas (40.2 ± 9.7 μg/g) compared to preterm placentas (18.9 ± 7.4 μg/g).
- OA levels were similar between term and preterm placentas, indicating differential accumulation of TOAs.
Conclusions:
- This is the first report quantifying TOAs in human tissue samples.
- TOAs accumulate in the placenta as pregnancy progresses.
- TOAs and OA have different in vivo fates during pregnancy.
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