Lipoprotein Heterogeneity Early in Pregnancy and Preterm Birth.

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.

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, very low-density lipoprotein particles (HDL-P, LDL-P, and VLDL-P) and markers of systemic inflammation were quantified using NMR 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 to women with term births, independent of race, pre-pregnancy BMI and smoking. Black vs. White women had lower VLDL-P and higher HDL-cholesterol (both p<0.05). Race-specific results indicated that large HDL-P and inflammation (GlycB) were higher with PTB vs. 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 non-pregnant adults, but race-specific lipoprotein and inflammation associations with PTB warrant further study.