Evaluation of Vitamin E Isoforms in Placental Tissue and Their Relationship with Maternal Dietary Intake and Plasma Concentrations in Mother-Infant Dyads

Authors

Ishani Jhamb, University of California - San Diego
Alyssa Freeman, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Michelle R. Lotfi, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Matthew Van Ormer, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Corrine K. Hanson, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Ann Anderson-Berry, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Melissa K. Thoene, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal Title

Antioxidants

Publication Date

2023

Volume

12

Abstract

α-tocopherol is a vitamin E isoform with potent antioxidant activity, while the γ-tocopherol isoform of vitamin E exerts more pro-inflammatory effects. In maternal-fetal environments, increased plasma α-tocopherol concentrations are associated with positive birth outcomes, while higher γ-tocopherol concentrations are linked with negative pregnancy outcomes. However, little is known about tocopherol concentrations in placental tissue and their role in modulating placental oxidative stress, a process that is implicated in many complications of pregnancy. The objectives of this research are to evaluate the concentrations of α- and γ-tocopherol in placental tissue and assess relationships with maternal and umbilical cord plasma concentrations. A total of 82 mother-infant dyads were enrolled at the time of delivery, and maternal and umbilical cord blood samples and placenta samples were collected. α- and γ-tocopherol concentrations in these samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). γ-tocopherol concentrations demonstrated significant, positive correlations among all sample types (p-values < 0.001). Placental tissue had a significantly lower ratio of α:γ-tocopherol concentrations when compared to maternal plasma and umbilical cord plasma (2.9 vs. 9.9 vs. 13.2, respectively; p < 0.001). Additional research should explore possible mechanisms for tocopherol storage and transfer in placental tissue and assess relationships between placental tocopherol concentrations and measures of maternal-fetal oxidative stress and clinical outcomes of pregnancy.

DOI Link

10.3390/antiox12101797

ISSN

2076-3921

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Jhamb, Ishani; Freeman, Alyssa; Lotfi, Michelle R.; Van Ormer, Matthew; Hanson, Corrine K.; Anderson-Berry, Ann; and Thoene, Melissa K., "Evaluation of Vitamin E Isoforms in Placental Tissue and Their Relationship with Maternal Dietary Intake and Plasma Concentrations in Mother-Infant Dyads" (2023). Journal Articles: Pediatrics. 40.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/com_peds_articles/40