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Research: KITAMURA and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 259
Abstract
KITAMURA and COLLEAGUES, 1. Wellness and Nutrition Science Institute, Morinaga Milk Industry, Co., Ltd., Kanagawa, Japan conducted a prospective hospital-based cohort study to analyze fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membranes and intake of fatty acids during the three trimesters in 178 healthy, pregnant Japanese women.
Background
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an important nutrient required by pregnant women and foetuses. Several studies suggest that fatty acid composition changes during pregnancy. However, the association of longitudinal changes in erythrocyte fatty acid composition and dietary fatty acid intake during pregnancy is not well understood. We assessed the relationship between fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membranes and fatty acid intake at each trimester in pregnant Japanese women.
Methodology
We conducted a prospective hospital-based cohort study. We investigated fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membranes and intake of fatty acids during the three trimesters in 178 healthy, pregnant Japanese women.
Results
The eicosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid percentage of the erythrocyte membranes significantly decreased. The percentages of linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid significantly increased during pregnancy. The DHA percentage in the erythrocyte membranes decreased from the second to the third trimester. The DHA percentage in the erythrocyte membranes positively correlated with DHA intake in the third trimester.
Conclusion
In pregnant Japanese women, the fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membranes markedly changed throughout pregnancy. The DHA intake in the third trimester may be insufficient to maintain DHA percentage in the maternal erythrocyte membranes.
References
© 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Kitamura Y1, Kogomori C, Hamano H, Maekawa I, Shimizu T, Shiga S. Relationship between Changes in Fatty Acid Composition of the Erythrocyte Membranes and Fatty Acid Intake during Pregnancy in Pregnant Japanese Women. Ann Nutr Metab.70(4):268-276. doi: 10.1159/000471856. Epub Jun 9 2017. 2017.
