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High oleic/stearic fatty-acid desaturation index in cord plasma from infants of mothers with gestational diabetes

Journal of Perinatology volume 34, pages 357–363 (2014)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

Enhanced fatty-acid desaturation by stearoyl-CoA desaturase enzyme-1 (SCD1) is associated with obesity. This study determined desaturation in the cord plasma of newborns of mothers with and without gestational diabetes (GDM).

Study design:

Newborns of mothers with GDM (n=21) and without (control, n=22) were recruited. Cord plasma fatty-acid desaturation indices (palmitoleic/palmitic, oleic/stearic ratios) were compared, and correlated with anthropometrics and biochemical measures. A subset of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) desaturation indices were determined to approximate the liver SCD1 activity.

Result:

The total oleic/stearic index was higher in GDM, despite adjustment for cord glucose concentrations. Among GDM and controls, the oleic/stearic index correlated with cord glucose concentrations (rs=0.36, P=0.02). Both palmitoleic/palmitic and oleic/stearic indices correlated with waist circumference (r=0.47, P=0.001; r=0.37, P=0.01). The VLDL oleic/stearic index was higher in GDM.

Conclusion:

The elevated total oleic/stearic index suggests increased lipogenesis in GDM newborns. Factors in addition to glucose supply may influence fetal SCD1 activity.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Department of Pediatrics, the Bionutrition Core of the CTSI and the Biomedical Mass Spectrometry Facility for their support. We thank the following individuals for their contributions: Jessica Padilla and Evelyn Lopez (study coordinators); Peter Christenson, PhD (biostatistician); Lawrence Castellani, PhD (advice on VLDL isolation); Diana Wolfe, MD and Christiane Guberman, MD (sample collection); Ashley Martin and Juan Vega (technical assistance). The study was supported by NIH K23 DK08324, the Clinical Scholar Award from the Pediatric Endocrine Society (to JKY) and the UCLA CTSI (UL1TR000124). JKY received funding from NIH K23 DK08324 and the Clinical Scholar Award from the Pediatric Endocrine Society. The research was also supported by NIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) UCLA CTSI Grant number UL1TR000124.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA

    J K Yee, C S Mao, W N P Lee, R A Hicks & M E Patterson

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Los Angeles Biomedical Research at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA

    M G Ross, M Desai, A Toda & S L Kjos

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  1. J K Yee
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Correspondence to J K Yee.

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Yee, J., Mao, C., Ross, M. et al. High oleic/stearic fatty-acid desaturation index in cord plasma from infants of mothers with gestational diabetes. J Perinatol 34, 357–363 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.23

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