Introduction: Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are crucial for a healthy pregnancy, impacting fetal growth, neurodevelopment, and inflammation regulation. This thesis aimed to explore variations in fatty acid (FA) levels throughout pregnancy and their association with maternal red blood cell (RBC) membrane composition and pregnancy complications.
Methodology: Using the Folch method, we analysed RBC FA and a Legendplex inflammation panel 1 for cytokine levels in participant’s serum.
Results: In the first study, a decrease in the levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) was observed as gestational age advanced (2.32%- p <0.05 and 5.8%- p <0.0001, respectively), and associations between FAs including ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the length of pregnancy were established.
In the second study, lower levels of ω-3 PUFAs (-15.85%, p<0.05), specifically DHA (-14.3%, p< 0.05), were identified in mothers who experienced spontaneous PTB during early pregnancy compared to term. Additionally, elevated levels of interleukin-33 (IL-33) (72.2%, p≤0.05) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (86.2%, p<0.05) demonstrated correlation with the ω6/ω3 PUFA ratio.
In our final study, the examined women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) showed that they exhibited elevated levels of palmitic acid (2%, p<0.05) and palmitoleic acid (25%, p<0.05), accompanied by lower levels of DHA (-9.95%, p<0.01) and total ω-3 PUFAs (-7.4%, p<0.05) at the time of GDM diagnosis, compared to non-GDM women. Additionally, higher levels (16.6%, p<0.05) of IL-18 were observed in women who developed GDM compared to non-GDM.
Conclusion: Our research underscores the impact of maternal FA profiles in early pregnancy on outcomes like PTB and GDM, revealing a strong connection between maternal FA composition before and during early pregnancy and overall pregnancy health. By correlating FAs with inflammatory cytokines, we've revealed intricate relationships that underscore the significance of maternal FA profiles in shaping pregnancy health.