Jean-Marie Moutquin

Detrimental effects of high levels of antioxidant vitamins C and E on placental function: Considerations for the Vitamins in Preeclampsia (VIP) trial

Aim:u2002 Supplementation with antioxidant vitamins has been proposed to reduce the risk of preeclampsia and perinatal complications. In a recent study, it has been shown that this supplementation to above physiological doses does not reduce the risk of preeclampsia, but increases the rate of low birthweight babies, suggesting a detrimental effect on placental function, given the lower birthweight. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of high levels of antioxidants vitamins C and E on placental cells in vitro.

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins in cord blood from neonates with intra-uterine growth restriction

OBJECTIVEnWe verified whether oxidative stress indices (oxidized low-density lipoproteins and malondialdehyde) and inflammatory biomarkers (circulating C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α, serum amyloid A and soluble intercellular vascular cell adhesion molecule) are increased in the umbilical vein of placental insufficiency induced intra-uterine growth restricted neonates.nnnSTUDY DESIGNnThe prospective cohort study, involving 3 tertiary care centers, consists of 200 consecutively recruited pregnant women carrying twins. We chose the twin pregnancy model because both fetuses share the same maternal environment, thereby avoiding potential confounding factors when comparing oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers. We analysed only twin pairs with one with intra-uterine growth restriction (N=38) defined as fetal growth<10th percentile with abnormal Doppler of the umbilical artery. Blood samples were taken at birth from the umbilical vein. Intra-pair comparisons on the biomarkers were performed using the Student paired t-test.nnnRESULTSnWe observed increased cord blood levels of oxidized low-density lipoproteins, (2.394 ± .412 vs 1.296 ± .204, p=.003) but not of malondialdehyde in growth restricted neonates when compared to their normal counterparts. Although indices of inflammation tended to be increased in cord blood from growth restricted newborns, the difference did not reach statistical significance.nnnCONCLUSIONnIn the twin model, intra-uterine growth restriction is associated with low-density lipoprotein oxidation without apparent dysregulation of inflammation biomarkers.nnnCONDENSATIONnIncreased oxidized low-density lipoproteins are observed in growth restricted twins compared to their co-twins with normal growth at birth.

Oxidative conditions prevail in severe IUGR with vascular disease and Doppler anomalies.

Abstract Objective: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and prenatal exposure to oxidative stress are thought to lead to increased risks of cardiovascular disease later in life. The objective of the present study was to document whether cord blood oxidative stress biomarkers vary with the severity of IUGR and of vascular disease in the twin pregnancy model in which both fetuses share the same maternal environment. Methods: This prospective cohort study involved dichorionic twin pairs, with one co-twin with IUGR. Oxidative stress biomarkers were measured in venous cord blood samples from each neonate of 32 twin pairs, and compared, according to severity of IUGR (IUGR <5th percentile), Doppler anomalies of the umbilical artery and early onset IUGR (in the second trimester) of the growth restricted twin. Results: Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins (oxLDL) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were increased proportionally in cases of severe IUGR. OxLDL concentrations were also increased in cases of IUGR with Doppler anomaly. Conclusion: Our data indicate that severe IUGR, is related to a derangement in redox balance, illustrated by increased venous cord blood oxidative stress biomarkers concentrations. Severe IUGR and IUGR with abnormal Doppler can be translated into conditions with intense oxidative stress.

OC23.01: Severity of foetal growth restriction from placental insufficiency is associated with an oxidative stress markers response in umbilical cord blood

E. Maisonneuve1, E. Delvin2, E. Levy3, A. Ouellet5, E. Grenier3, L. Morin1, J. Dubé1, I. Boucoiran1, M. Bouity-Voubou3, J. Moutquin5, S. Klam6, J. Fouron4, L. Leduc1 1Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Université de Montréal and Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada; 2Biochemistry, Université de Montréal and Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada; 3Nutrition, Université de Montréal and Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada; 4Cardiology, Université de Montréal and Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada; 5Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; 6Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada