The level of pre-heparin serum lipoprotein lipase mass at different stages of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mass is present in pre-heparin serum, although its activity is rarely detected. To clarify the dynamics of pre-heparin LPL mass during pregnancy, we studied the relationship between pre-heparin LPL mass and lipids in normal pregnant women.

METHODS

Pre-heparin LPL mass and serum lipid levels were measured in 99 pregnant women during all three trimesters.

RESULTS

When compared with the first and second trimesters, a significant decrease in pre-heparin LPL mass was observed in the third trimester. Plasma triglycerides were negatively correlated with pre-heparin LPL mass (r=-0.30; p<0.05). In contrast, LDL-C, HDL-C and total cholesterol did not exhibit a statistically significant correlation.

CONCLUSION

The decrease in pre-heparin LPL mass is manifested only during the third trimester.