coenzyme-q10 and Birth-Weight

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is considered a high-risk condition because it may have serious consequences for the fetus health. ICP is characterized by the accumulation of bile acids in maternal serum which contribute to an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the antioxidant defenses increasing the oxidative stress experienced by the fetus. Previously, it was reported a significant decrease in plasma coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in women with ICP. CoQ10 is a redox substance integrated in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and is recognized as a potent antioxidant playing an intrinsic role against oxidative damage. The objective of the present study was to investigate the levels of CoQ10 in umbilical cord blood during normal pregnancy and in those complicated with ICP, all of them compared to the maternal ones.. CoQ10 levels and bile acid levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood levels during normal pregnancies (n=23) and in those complicated with ICP (n=13), were investigated.. A significant decrease in neonate CoQ10 levels corrected by cholesterol (0.105±0.010 vs. 0.069±0.011, P<0.05, normal pregnancy vs. ICP, respectively), together with an increase of total serum bile acids (2.10±0.02 vs. 7.60±2.30, P<0.05, normal pregnancy vs. ICP, respectively) was observed.. A fetus from an ICP mother is exposed to a greater risk derived from oxidative damage. The recognition of CoQ10 deficiency is important since it could be the starting point for a new and safe intervention strategy which can establish CoQ10 as a promising candidate to prevent the risk of oxidative stress.

Topics: Adult; Ataxia; Bile Acids and Salts; Biomarkers; Birth Weight; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic; Cholesterol; Cholic Acid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Fetal Blood; Fetus; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Mitochondrial Diseases; Muscle Weakness; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prospective Studies; Reactive Oxygen Species; Ubiquinone; Young Adult

Striae gravidarum (SG) can cause pregnant women severe psychological stress.. This study aimed to compare primigravidas with and without SG concerning fasting blood coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), age, skin type, family history, gestational weight gain, pre- and post-pregnancy BMI, daily water consumption during pregnancy, gender and weight of baby, and the educational level.. The study included 79 primigravidas in the gestational week of 36 or above. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of SG. The fasting blood CoQ10 levels and other associated parameters were compared between the groups.. Of the 79 primigravidas, 35 (44.3%) had SG. There was no statistically significant relationship between striae and CoQ10 (P = 0.144 and P = 0.189, respectively). Predisposing factors for striae were young pregnancy, light skin color, family history, high pre- and post-pregnancy BMI, increased gestational weight gain, and increased newborn weight. There was no significant relationship between striae development and educational level or water consumption during pregnancy.. This is the first study to show that CoQ10 did not significantly differ between women with and without SG. Further studies with a larger case series are needed to elucidate predisposing factors for striae and involvement of CoQ10 in this condition.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Birth Weight; Female; Gestational Weight Gain; Gravidity; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Age; Medical History Taking; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Risk Factors; Skin Pigmentation; Striae Distensae; Ubiquinone; Waist Circumference; Young Adult