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Am J Perinatol 2017; 34(13): 1326-1332
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603471
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Lipoprotein Heterogeneity Early in Pregnancy and Preterm Birth

Janet M. Catov
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee Women's Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2   Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Rachel H. Mackey
2   Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Christina M. Scifres   *
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee Women's Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Marnie Bertolet
2   Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Hyagriv N. Simhan
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee Women's Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

29 September 2016

21 April 2017

Publication Date:
22 May 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Background The concentration and size of lipoprotein particles are associated with race, inflammation, and disease. When triglycerides are high, as in pregnancy, lipoprotein particle size may have physiologic importance beyond conventional lipid measurements. We considered that lipoprotein particles may be related to preterm birth (PTB) and explored race differences.

Materials and Methods Samples were collected at 9 weeks' gestation (22 PTB [< 37 weeks]; 42 term births [≥ 37 weeks]). Lipids were assayed using standard techniques. Concentrations of high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein particles (HDL-P, LDL-P, and VLDL-P, respectively) and markers of systemic inflammation were quantified using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and related to PTB.

Results Women with PTB had lower VLDL-P (− 10.66 nmol/L, p = 0.03) and higher systemic inflammation (+ 19.2 µmol/L, p = 0.02) compared with women with term births, independent of race, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and smoking. Black versus white women had lower VLDL-P and higher HDL cholesterol (both p < 0.05). Race-specific results indicated that large HDL-P and inflammation (glycoprotein B) were higher with PTB versus term birth among black women only.

Conclusion Women with PTB had lower VLDL-P early in pregnancy, which may represent impaired lipid response. Black–white differences in the lipoprotein profile are similar to nonpregnant adults, but race-specific lipoprotein and inflammation associations with PTB warrant further study.

Keywords

inflammation - lipids - lipoproteins - pregnancy

* Dr. Scifres' current affiliation is Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma.