Beta-carotene concentrations in maternal and cord blood of smokers and non-smokers

BACKGROUND: Smoking in pregnancy can cause a reduction in the transport of beta-carotene across the placenta, consequently reflecting on the concentrations of this micronutrient in the newborn baby. AIMS: This study determined the concentrations of beta-carotene in maternal blood and umbilical cord blood in a group of smokers and non-smokers. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: A total of 215 women and respective newborn babies were selected from a hospital in Joinville city, Brazil, between July and November 2002. Women were divided in two groups according to their smoking habits. beta-Carotene concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The difference between mean concentrations of beta-carotene in maternal blood and cord blood, in smokers and non-smokers, was determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The Student's t-test compared mean concentrations of beta-carotene in maternal blood and cord blood, and the mean ingestion of foods rich in beta-carotene by smokers and non-smokers. RESULTS: There was a statistical significant difference between the concentrations of beta-carotene in maternal blood (S=0.271 micromol/L, NS=0.450 micromol/L; P=0.001) and cord blood (S=0.028 micromol/L, NS=0.045 micromol/L; P=0.001) in smokers (S) and non-smokers (NS). The mean concentration of beta-carotene was significantly higher in maternal blood (0.398 micromol/L) than in cord blood (0.041 micromol/L) (P<0.001). The intake of foods rich in beta-carotene was lower in smokers, than in non-smokers (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The concentrations of beta-carotene in maternal blood and cord blood were influenced by the use of tobacco.     

脐血脂联素、瘦素水平与胎儿发育的相关性

目的 探讨脐血脂联素、瘦素水平与胎儿生长发育的关系.方法 选择2006年10月至2007年10月在我院产科出生的新生儿86例,根据不同出生体质量分为小于胎龄儿(SGA)组16例,适于胎龄儿(AGA)组41例,大于胎龄儿(LGA)组29例.胎儿娩出后立即断脐留脐血20ml,采用放射免疫分析法测定血清脂联素、瘦素水平,同时检测其血脂水平,测量新生儿生长参数,计算体质量指数(BMI).结果 (1)3组脐血瘦素和脂联素水平差异有统计学意义(P<0.001),LGA组明显高于AGA及SAG组(P<0.01);(2)脐血瘦素水平与体质量、胎龄、头围、身长、足长及胎盘重量呈正相关(P<0.01),脐血脂联素水平与出生体质量、头围、足长、BMI水平呈正相关(P<0.05).(3)脐血瘦素与脂联素水平呈显著正相关(P<0.01).(4)3组血脂水平比较差异无统计学意义;脐血脂联素、瘦素水平与血脂各指标间无明显相关性(P>0.05).结论 瘦素与脂联素在胎儿宫内生长和发育过程中起重要的调节作用.     

Lead concentrations in maternal and cord blood in women users of surma eye cosmetics

A prospective study was undertaken to analyse the lead concentrations in maternal and cord blood of 71 pregnant Arab women at term who used eye cosmetics, particularly "surma". A total of 64 mothers (90%) used eye cosmetics throughout pregnancy, and, of these, 45% used surma. The lead content of the cosmetics available in the market was found to vary between zero and 88%. The mean lead concentrations in all blood samples were higher than the accepted natural levels of 0.001 mumol/l, but lower than the subtoxic level of 1.9 mumol/l. The mean lead concentration of all samples was lower than the subtoxic level of 1.9 mumol/l but higher than that quoted in the literature and suggested to be a natural level (0.001 mumol/l). This indicates that other lead pollutants may be involved. Lead concentrations in maternal and cord blood correlated well, but did not show any significant difference between surma and non-surma users. None of the newborns showed apparent congenital anomalies and their birthweights were comparable to average Saudi birthweights.     

Metabolomics analysis of umbilical cord blood clarifies changes in saccharides associated with delivery method

Background

A metabolomic approach using umbilical cord blood from infants at birth has not been studied widely yet.

Aim

We examined changes in metabolite levels in umbilical cord blood at birth via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)-based metabolomics, with the aim of achieving a detailed understanding of fetal stress during labor.

Study design

All procedures were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kobe University School of Medicine. This was a cohort study of pregnant women based in Palmore Hospital, which is located in an urban area of Japan, and was carried out between December 2010 and May 2011.

Subject

Umbilical cord arterial blood samples were obtained from 41 infants immediately after delivery.

Outcome measures

Metabolites in the blood samples were measured using GC/MS to investigate whether the delivery method (spontaneous onset of labor, induction of labor or elective cesarean section) affected the metabolite profile in umbilical cord blood.

Results

Elective cesarean section without labor led to lower levels of isoleucine, fructose, mannose, glucose, allose, glucuronic acid, inositol and cysteine in comparison with vaginal delivery following spontaneous labor and without medication.

Conclusion

It is proposed that the stress associated with labor be involved in alterations in the levels of metabolites, particularly saccharides such as glucose, in umbilical cord blood.     

Glutathione peroxidase activity in cord blood: effects of fetal sex and maternal smoking

Glutathione peroxidase activity was estimated in the cord blood of 47 newborn infants. In 23 cases corresponding maternal glutathione peroxidase activities were measured at time of delivery and compared with 23 non-pregnant women of the same age. Mean cord blood activity was 23.6 +/- 4.8 IU/g Hb at 37 degrees C. Maternal smoking and male fetal sex were associated with significantly lower fetal glutathione peroxidase activity. Maternal levels (33.0 +/- 5.0 IU/g Hb) were significantly higher than those in cord blood (p less than 0.001) but were the same as those for non-pregnant women. Maternal to cord blood level ratio was 1.5:1.     

Method of separation and concentration of fetal nucleated red blood cells in maternal blood and its application to fetal diagnosis

A fetal diagnostic method that is without risk to the embryo has been long awaited in the field of gene diagnosis. Establishment of non-invasive fetal diagnosis using maternal peripheral blood will greatly contribute to perinatal medical care. The lectin method that we have studied and developed selectively recovers nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) among fetal cells mixed in maternal peripheral blood. Maternal blood, 7 mL, was collected with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) treatment in each week of gestation and subjected to preliminary concentration by density centrifugation (Histopaque [Histopaque-1077; Sigma Diagnostics, MO, USA], specific gravity: 1.095), and NRBC were separated and collected on slide glasses by the lectin method (soybean agglutinin [SBA]: 50 microg/mL). To investigate selective adhesion of the erythrocyte fraction, the SBA concentration was set to 50 microg/mL, and the cells were labeled with CD11a and CD33 (anti-white blood cell antibodies) and investigated by flowcytometry. Erythrocytes adhered at a high rate (87.0 +/- 9.7%) while the adhesion rates of granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes were low, confirming the usefulness of the method for separation and recovery of the erythrocyte fraction. When recovery of NRBC was investigated using this method, a mean of 6.57 +/- 7.12 cells were recovered from 1 mL of maternal blood (May-Gluüwald-Giemsa stain). The number of recovered NRBC increased slowly with pregnancy, but differences were not significant. To confirm that recovered NRBC were derived from the fetus, NRBC were recovered by the lectin method in four patients suspected of 18 trisomy by echography and analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Three hybridization signals were detected in NRBC at a high frequency, showing that most cells were derived from the fetus and thus, fetal diagnosis may be possible. Since the procedure of the lectin method we have developed is simple, and high concentration efficiency can be obtained at a low cost, it may be clinically applicable.     

Fructose breath hydrogen tests in infants with chronic non-specific diarrhoea

Clear fluids high in fructose (e.g., apple juice) have been incriminated for symptoms of chronic non-specific diarrhoea (CNSD), in particular in children 1–4 years of age. H₂ breath tests were performed, after ingestion of fructose (1 g/kg), in 15 patients referred with CNSD and 35 controls. All 15 CNSD children (100%) had breath peak H₂ of 20 ppm versus 49% of the 35 controls (P=0.0005). Median peak H₂ in CNSD (90 ppm, range 31–136) was significantly higher than in controls (20 ppm, range 1–139) (P<0.001). Orocoecal transit time in children with positive tests was similar in both groups. Similary, median H₂ increases during the test period had the same distribution. We demonstrated fructose malabsorption in CNSD, but found a great overlap with the control group. Our results strongly discourage the use of fructose breath H₂ tests in children suspected of CNSD. A positive test has no diagnostic value and a negative test has no clinical implications.Conclusion For clinical practice, we suggest a dietary history and a trial of appropriate measures in infants with chronic nonspecific diarrhoea, instead of performing the fructose H₂ breath test.     

新生儿脐血脂联素水平及与其他相关激素间关系研究

目的探讨新生儿脐血脂联素水平及与脐血瘦素、胰岛素、甲状腺激素、生长激素间的关系。方法采用放射免疫法检测78例正常足月新生儿脐血脂联素、瘦素、胰岛素、甲状腺激素、生长激素水平,所有新生儿分为小于胎龄儿(SGA)13例、适于胎龄儿(AGA)53例、大于胎龄儿(LGA)12例,并计算体重指数=体重(kg)/身长2(cm2)评估新生儿营养状态。结果新生儿脐血脂联素水平为(24.58±4.26)μg/ml,与体重指数呈正相关(r=0.367,P<0.05);SGA组脐血脂联素为(19.95±4.70)μg/ml,AGA组(24.81±4.15)μg/ml,LGA组(26.57±4.29)μg/ml,3者间差异显著(F=8.871,P<0.05);新生儿不同性别、分娩方式间脂联素水平差异无显著性(t=1.314,0.713,P均>0.05);脐血脂联素与瘦素、胰岛素、FT3、FT4呈正相关(r=0.298~0.453,P均<0.05);与TSH呈负相关(r=-0.487,P<0.05);与生长激素、TT3、TT4无相关性(r=0.072、0.182、0.211,P>0.05)。结论新生儿脐血脂联素水平为(24.58±4.26)μg/ml,在一定程度上反映了胎儿的营养状态,它可能与瘦素、胰岛素、甲状腺激素一起共同调节胎儿的生长发育,它们可以作为评估胎儿体重与生长发育的临床指标。     

不同胎龄脊髓脊膜膨出胎鼠膀胱和脊髓神经损害的形态学观察

目的 通过不同胚胚胎期脊髓脊膜膨出(MMC)胎鼠膀胱平滑肌的发育和神经支配情况及脊髓神经损害的形态学观察,了解这种损害的时间和空间上的变化及其相互关系.方法 胎鼠分为MMC组和正常对照组,每组再根据胎龄各分3小组,共6小组.用免疫组织化学法检测各组腰骶段脊髓GFAP、VAChT的表达和膀胱α-Actin和neurotubulin-β-Ⅲ的表达;另取各组腰骶段脊髓及膀胱切片作HE染色.Image-Pro Plus 5.1软件分析免疫组织化学照片相关部分的光密度,SPSS 16.0软件对数据进行进行统计分析,以P≤0.05为差异有统计学意义.结果 在胚胎16d,2组胎鼠的膀胱肌层内就已经可以检测出neurotubulin-β-Ⅲ的表达;胚胎16、18和20 d时,MMC组胎鼠膀胱内的neurotubulin-β-Ⅲ表达较相同胚胎期的正常对照组显著降低.在胚胎16、18、20 d,2组的膀胱肌层内都能看到较多的α-Actin的阳性显色;且各胚胎期,2组膀胱内的α-Actin表达差异无统计学意义.在胚胎16d和18d,正常组和MMC组及胚胎20 d正常组的脊髓内,GFAP染色均很少,没有明显的星形胶质细胞显示,在胚胎20 d的MMC组胎鼠的脊髓背侧,可见大量的GFAP阳性的星形胶质细胞显影,其表达显著高于正常组.MMC组各个胚胎期脊髓VAChT的表达都较少,在胚胎20d组的背外侧核仅见少量阳性表达的神经元;而正常组VAChT的表达相对较多,在胚胎20d组的背外侧核可见较多阳性表达的神经元;2组间各胚胎期VAChT表达差异均有统计学意义.结论 MMC胎鼠膀胱平滑肌的分化和发育与正常组差别无统计学意义.MMC胎鼠胚胎16 d,膀胱肌层内可见神经支配,但神经纤维减少,与脊髓内骶副交感神经核和背外侧核的胆碱能神经元减少是同步.MMC胎鼠脊髓损伤后的神经修复过程,星形胶质细胞的出现要晚于胚胎18d.     

Cerebral arteriovenous malformation: prenatal and postnatal central blood flow dynamics

Using the Doppler technique, this study compared the prenatal and postnatal flow patterns of an infant with cerebral arteriovenous (AV) malformation. Fetal right ventricular end-diastolic dimension was 1.7 cm with right ventricular ejection equaling 66% of the combined cardiac output. Diastolic flow was reversed in the fetal aortic isthmus but forward-moving in the descending aorta, resulting in a watershed phenomenon. In the carotid arteries an increased forward diastolic flow was noted while the internal jugular vein exhibited a pulsatile arterial type of flow. The pulsatility index of the umbilical artery was normal. After birth and closure of the ductus arteriosus, the output from both ventricles was equally increased, and retrograde diastolic flow was then observed in the descending aorta. In conclusion, specific fetal features of cerebral AV malformation are increased right ventricular output probably related to the increased superior vena cava return, watershed phenomenon in the descending aorta causing the right ventricle to perfuse both the lower and upper body, and preserved umbilical circulation.     

The relationship between the percentage saturation of maternal and cord plasma transferrin and the maternal and cord blood free erythrocyte protoporphyrin:haem ratio

The relationship between the percentage saturation of maternal and cord plasma transferrin and the maternal and cord blood free erythrocyte protoporphyrin:haem ratio were investigated in 49 healthy mothers following an uncomplicated pregnancy, and in their full term newborn infants. The variables studied were plasma iron, plasma total iron-binding capacity, percentage saturation of plasma transferrin, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin:haem ratio and haematocrit value. The same variables were also investigated in a group of 60 healthy university students. Though the measurement of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin:haem ratio has broad application in public health studies, little information is available regarding the possible application and clinical use of this variable in the Nigerian population. The results obtained suggest that the free erythrocyte protoporphyrin:haem ratio of blood has a significant negative correlation with that of the percentage saturation of plasma transferrin of the sample. The maternal percentage saturation of plasma transferrin has a significant positive correlation with that of the corresponding fetal (cord) sample. There was no significant correlation between maternal and cord free erythrocyte protoporphyrin [FEP]:haem ratio.     

Prostaglandin concentrations in ovine maternal and fetal tissues at late gestation

Maternal and fetal sheep organs were measured for their concentrations of prostaglandins (PG) E2, F2 alpha, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2 alpha (PGFM), 6-keto PGF1 alpha (hydrolysis produce of PGI2), and 6-keto PGE1 (enzymatic product of PGI2) by radioimmunoassay at day 131 of pregnancy (0.90 gestation). It was observed that the concentrations of PGFM were greater (p less than 0.01) in maternal endometrium than in any other maternal tissue or any other PG measured in endometrium. The lowest concentrations of PG in maternal tissues were in the myometrium, while PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha were present in maternal lungs in high concentrations. Fetal prostaglandin concentrations were high in the chorioallantois, fetal portion of the cotyledons and amnion, while they were very low in the kidney, liver, and lung. Fetal lung concentrations were lower than maternal lung concentrations (p less than 0.01) for all PG measured. In fetal aorta and ductus arteriosus, 6-keto PGF1 alpha concentrations were significantly greater (p less than 0.05) than all other measured PG, while in umbilical artery and vein 6-keto PGF1 alpha levels were equal to PGE2 levels. 6-Keto PGE1 concentrations were consistently among the lowest in all tissues measured. These results suggest that the endometrium may serve as a metabolic barrier to PG diffusing from the chorioallantois to the myometrium, that the capacity of pulmonary tissue to produce PG may increase with age, that the fetal membranes and cotyledons may be one major source of circulating PG in the fetus, and that 6-keto PGF1 alpha is the major metabolite of PGI2 in ovine tissues.     

Prostacyclin concentrations in cord blood and in the newborn

The levels of 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-oxo-PGF1 alpha) were measured in cord blood and in peripheral venous blood in newborns using gas chromatography coupled with negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The plasma concentrations of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha in cord blood increased significantly between delivery and placental expulsion (P less than .005). In newborns, the circulation levels of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha after four hours of life were low and comparable to adult levels. Large quantities of prostacyclin are produced by the uteroplacental unit during parturition, but only small amounts are transmitted to the newborn during a normal delivery. The low plasma concentrations of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha in newborns suggest that prostaglandin I1 is not a circulating vasodilator during the first week of life.     

母血-脐血及母乳中维生素E含量及其相关性的探讨

目的：考察胎盘、乳腺对维生素E的运转状况。方法：配对测定了12名健康孕产妇血中、母乳中及新生儿脐血中的维生素E浓度,比较其水平并进行相关性分析。结果：母血中维生素E浓度为16.23 mg/L,脐血和母乳分别为2.72 mg/L和9.12 mg/L,其维生素E水平高低依次为母血>母乳>脐血。母血—脐血间维生素E浓度的相关性分析为r=0.30,P>0.5,两者间无相关性;母血—母乳间维生素E浓度的分析提示：r=0.44,P<0.2,两者间存在弱相关性。结论：胎盘对维生素E的转运能力低下;而乳腺对维生素E具有较强的转运能力,围产期保持孕产妇良好的维生素E营养水平有利于提高母乳中维生素E含量,对改善新生儿维生素E营养状况有重要意义。