1.
[The effect of tobacco smoking during pregnancy on concentration of pro-hepcidin and some parameters of iron metabolism in matched-maternal cord pairs].
Chełchowska, M, Lewandowski, L, Ambroszkiewicz, J, Swiatek, E, Gajewska, J, Ołtarzewski, M, Laskowska-Klita, T
Przeglad lekarski. 2008;(10):474-8
Abstract
Iron deficiency relatively observed in pregnant women is assumed to be enhanced by cigarette smoking. Hepcidin, a peptide hormone produced by the liver as pro-hepcidin, has recently emerged as a central mediator of iron metabolism. Hepcidin regulates intestinal iron absorption, macrophage iron release, and the placental passage of iron. Maternal smoking is associated with increased fetal iron requirements and stimulates fetal erythropoiesis. This is probably through a hypoxic effect on the fetus, and is dose related to the maternal smoking level. It is known that anemia and hypoxia suppress hepcidine mRNA expression. Therefore the aim of the study was to estimate the effect of tobacco smoking on serum pro-hepcidin levels and some iron parameters in pregnant women and umbilical cord blood. We also studied correlation between pro-hepcidin and others iron markers in mothers and their newborns. Healthy, pregnant women (n = 50), patients of Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Mother and Child were divided into groups nonsmoking and smoking according to questionnaire declaration. Serum concentrations of pro-hepcidin were determined by immunoenzymathic method using a commercial pro-hepcidin assay (DRG, Germany). Levels of ferritin and transferrin were measured by immunoturbidimetric method and iron by photometric test with ferrozine using HORIBA ABX kits (France) and Cobas Mira analyser (Roche, Switzerland). Levels of hemoglobin and hematocrite were determined using commercially available kits on Pentra 60 analyser (ABX, France). We observed that the mean concentration of pro-hepcidin in serum of smoking pregnant women was statistically lower than in tobacco abstinent (101.9 +/- 28.6 ng/ml vs 88.3 +/- 18.2 ng/ml; p < 0.01). Levels of others studied iron markers were similar in both group except total iron concentration, which was 20% lower in smoking mothers than in nonsmoking ones. In umbilical cord blood of infants born to smoking women level of pro-hepcidin was significantly lower than in tobacco abstinent (54.2 +/- 14.0 ng/ml vs 76.8 +/- 21.4 ng/ml, p < 0.0001). We observed positive correlation between concentrations of that prohormone in serum of mothers and cord blood of their newborns in nonsmoking group (r = 0.54; p < 0.02) as well as in smoking ones (r = 0.68; p < 0.05). In addition, concentrations of ferritin, transferin and total iron were lower by 30%, 13% and 20% respectively in cord blood of smoking than nonsmoking group. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Our analysis revealed no correlation between serum pro-hepcidin levels and other studied parameters of iron status both in the mothers and children groups. Our results indicate that tobacco smoking during pregnancy affected pro-hepcidine levels in serum of mothers and their newborns. Low concentrations of some iron markers in umbilical cord blood suggest that mother's smoking could lead to subclinical iron deficiency in fetus. No anemia were observed in both studied groups of mothers that could explain no relationships between pro-hepcidin and others parameters of iron status.
2.
[The effect of tobacco smoking during pregnancy on concentration of malondialdehyde in blood of mothers and in umbilical cord blood].
Chełchowska, M, Laskowska-Klita, T, Leibschang, J
Ginekologia polska. 2005;(12):960-5
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Maternal smoking during pregnancy is known to be associated with not only intrauterine fetal growth retardation or low birth weight but also causes disturbances in postnatal growth and development. The prime role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of adverse pregnancy outcomes is almost universally accepted. DESIGN The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of tobacco smoking during pregnancy on concentration of lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde - MDA) in blood of mother and newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS 147 healthy, pregnant women were divided into non-smoking (n = 85) and smoking group (n = 62) according to questionnaire declaration and confirmed by cotinine concentration in serum and urine. Level of MDA was measured by fluorimetric method in plasma and in erythrocytes of mothers and umbilical cord blood. RESULTS We found that, in group of women smoking during pregnancy concentration of malondialdehyde was higher in plasma and in erythrocytes when compared to group of tobacco abstinent. Also in cord blood of newborns of smoking mothers level of MDA was significantly higher in plasma (p < 0.05) as well as in erythrocytes (p < 0.01) than in control group. CONCLUSION The presented results indicate that smoking during pregnancy may promotes free radical damage in growing fetus and newborns therefore stimulates metabolic disorders dependent on oxidative stress.
3.
Higher homocysteine concentrations in women undergoing caesarean section under general anesthesia.
Zanardo, V, Caroni, G, Burlina, A
Thrombosis research. 2003;(1-2):33-6
Abstract
To determine whether homocysteine, a risk factor for possible endothelial cell dysfunction, procoagulant effects and premature vascular disease but with a potential nutritional role for fetal and neonatal metabolism and development, is elevated in women at time of elective caesarean section with nitrous oxide general anesthesia. Plasma homocysteine levels were measured in 50 consecutive women, 25 of whom undergoing vaginal delivery and 25 elective caesarean section under nitrous oxide general anesthesia, and in the cord plasma of the respective offspring. Mean (+/-standard deviation) plasma homocysteine levels in the women of the caesarean section group were significantly higher than in the women of the vaginal delivery group (9.77+/-2.3 vs. 6.60+/-2.6 micromol/l, respectively; p<0.02). Cord plasma homocysteine levels in the neonates of the caesarean section group were also significantly higher than in the group of neonates vaginally delivered (9.47+/-3.94 and 7.36+/-2.35 micromol/l; p<0.01). Maternal homocysteine levels significantly correlated with cord levels of caesarean and vaginally delivered neonates (r=0.57; p<0.01 and r=0.66; p<0.001, respectively). Homocysteine levels were elevated at time of delivery in women undergoing elective caesarean section in nitrous oxide general anesthesia, and cord levels of corresponding neonates were affected by mode of delivery. Future studies are necessary to identify factors involved in the hyperhomocysteinemia observed in pregnant women at time of delivery by elective caesarean section in general anesthesia.