F-isoprostanes and fatty acids profile in early pregnancy complicated by pre-existing diabetes.

Background: Diabetes and pregnancy are both associated with oxidative stress, characterized by an increase of F-isoprostanes from the non-enzymatic oxidation of arachidonic acid, a n - 6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). We hypothesized that pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes will be characterized by elevated levels of specific F-isoPs isomers and altered PUFA composition in plasma early pregnancy when compared to normoglycemic controls.

Methods: Plasma samples from 23 women with uncomplicated pregnancies and 11 women with pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy were collected between 12 and 18 weeks of pregnancy (MIROS cohort).

Alterations of fatty acid profiles in gestational diabetes and influence of the diet.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy-induced complication with increased prevalence, especially in overweight women. Fatty acid (FA) composition in tissues can reflect dietary fat intake, especially essential FA intake. Moreover, it has been shown that FA profiles in blood lipid fractions are altered in diabetic patients.