Abstract
Consumption of dietary trans-isomeric fatty acids (t-FA) has increased markedly in industrialized countries, due to the extensive use of partially hydrogenated fats. T-FA may exert adverse effects through alteration of essential fatty acid and prostaglandin metabolism and membrane function. These effects may influence tissue growth and development during early life. It has been assumed that t-FA do not cross the human placenta in significant amounts (Life Sci. Res. Office Report to U.S. Fed. Drug Admin., 1985). Ve measured, for the first time, t-FA in plasma lipids of 30 mothers in labour and their full-term infants (birthweight 3510±322 g), using high-resolution capillary gas-chromatography. Results: The relative proportion of 6 trans-isomers in maternal plasma lipids (%wt/wt, median ± interquartile range; see Table) was similar to that found in Western diets. Cord plasma lipids showed similar t-FA values, but 16:1t and 18:1t were significantly lower (sign-test).
Conclusions: 1. Since humans do not synthesize t-FA, our data demonstrate their placental transfer. 2. Lower 16:1t and 18:1t values in cord plasma may result from dilution with fatty acids synthesized de novo by the fetus and/or from placental discrimination against transfer of these t-FA. 3. High t-FA consumption during pregnancy might affect fetal development.
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Koletzko, B., Müller, J. 74 TRANS-ISOMERIC FATTY ACIDS CROSS THE HUMAN PLACENTA. Pediatr Res 24, 273 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198808000-00100
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198808000-00100