Maternal vitamin D deficiency increases the thromboxane/prostacyclin ratio through alterations in the one-carbon cycle in Wistar rats

Docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, and neural tube defects in Tunisian population

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of maternal status in (plasma and red blood cell) folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine, and vitamin D, as well as their interaction with MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) and MTRR A66G polymorphisms, on maternal plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) levels and the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs).

METHODS

ARA, EPA, and DHA composition was assessed using capillary gas chromatography.

RESULTS

ARA and DHA levels were higher in controls than in case mothers for low plasma folate status. For low red blood cell folate status, DHA levels were higher in controls than in case mothers. For high homocysteine levels, ARA and DHA levels were higher in controls than in case mothers. NTD mothers had lower EPA and DHA levels for low vitamin B12 levels. NTD mothers had lower DHA levels for low vitamin D levels. For low plasma folate status, DHA levels in the MTHFR C677T gene and ARA and EPA levels in MTHFR A1298C gene were different among the three genotypes in case mothers. DHA levels in the MTHFR C677T gene were different among the three genotypes in case mothers for both low and high homocysteine levels. For low vitamin B12 levels, ARA and DHA levels were different among the three genotypes of the MTHFR C677T gene in case mothers. In the MTHFR C677T gene, ARA and DHA levels were different among the three genotypes in case mothers for low vitamin D levels.

CONCLUSIONS

More advanced research is required to verify a suitable biochemical parameter status in relation to the genotypes in pregnant women.

Vitamin D Deficiency Reduces Vascular Reactivity of Coronary Arterioles in Male Rats

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) may be considered an independent cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, and it is well known that CV risk is higher in males. Our goal was to investigate the pharmacological reactivity and receptor expression of intramural coronary artery segments of male rats in cases of different vitamin D supply.

METHODS

Four-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into a control group (n = 11) with optimal vitamin D supply (300 IU/kgbw/day) and a VDD group (n = 11, <0.5 IU/kgbw/day). After 8 weeks of treatment, intramural coronary artery segments were microprepared, their pharmacological reactivity was examined by in vitro microangiometry, and their receptor expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2)-agonist induced reduced vasoconstriction, testosterone (T) and 17-β-estradiol (E2) relaxations were significantly decreased, a significant decrease in thromboxane receptor (TP) expression was shown, and the reduction in estrogen receptor-α (ERα) expression was on the border of significance in the VDD group.

CONCLUSIONS

VD-deficient male coronary arteries showed deteriorated pharmacological reactivity to TXA2 and sexual steroids (E2, T). Insufficient vasoconstrictor capacity was accompanied by decreased TP receptor expression, and vasodilator impairments were mainly functional. The decrease in vasoconstrictor and vasodilator responses results in narrowed adaptational range of coronaries, causing inadequate coronary perfusion that might contribute to the increased CV risk in VDD.

The impact of micronutrient deficiency on pregnancy complications and development origin of health and disease

Due to the spread of the western style diet, which is characterized by high intake of processed food, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) deficiency is increasing in the Japanese population of all ages and genders. During pregnancy, the elevated demand for micronutrients put pregnant women at even higher risk of micronutrients deficiency. Some micronutrients are relatively famous such that women with reproductive age are recommended to take folic acid supplementation for the prevention of neural tube defect. However, it is not generally known that folate is also important for fetal growth throughout the pregnancy course and for prevention of pregnancy complications, and that pregnant women should continue to take supplementation during pregnancy and lactation. The types of micronutrients and the duration of supplementation are both important factors to maintain normal pregnancies. This review focused on four micronutrients that are commonly deficient in Japanese pregnant women, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium. The detrimental effects of homocysteine accumulation associated with the above micronutrient defects and its link to catechol-o-methyltransferase insufficiency are described. We also discussed possible molecular mechanisms of pregnancy complications and the development origin of health and disease (DOHaD) regarding micronutrient deficiencies from the point of view of one carbon metabolism.

Association of vitamin D with fatty acids in pregnancy

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication, associated with an increased risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The etiology of preeclampsia is not yet fully understood, although the current literature indicates an up regulation of inflammatory mediators. Vitamin D is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and influence vascular function. Fatty acids are also known to regulate inflammation in pregnancy. This study was carried out to explore the association of maternal vitamin D and fatty acids in pregnancy. The present study includes 69 normotensive control (NC) and 50 women with preeclampsia (PE). Maternal and cord serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were lower (p<0.01for both) in women with PE compared to NC women. Maternal plasma total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) levels were lower (p<0.05) while levels of total saturated fatty acids (SFA) and total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were higher (p<0.05 for both) in women with PE. Cord erythrocyte PUFA levels were higher (p<0.01) in PE women. Maternal 25(OH)D levels were negatively associated with maternal systolic and diastolic BP (p<0.01 for both). Maternal 25(OH)D levels were positively associated with maternal total PUFA (p<0.01) and negatively associated with maternal total SFA (p<0.05), total MUFA (p<0.01). This study for the first time demonstrates an association of maternal vitamin D with fatty acid levels in pregnancy. Our results suggest that vitamin D and fatty acids may work in concert to regulate fetal growth.

Role of vitamin D in influencing angiogenesis in preeclampsia

Objective: Vitamin D plays a key role during pregnancy and is involved in implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. Its deficiency is associated with pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, characterized by abnormal angiogenesis.Method: The current article summarises studies examining the role of vitamin D in pregnancy, with special emphasis on preeclampsia.Results and conclusion: An imbalance in pro- and anti-angiogenic factors is reported in women with preeclampsia. Cell culture studies have demonstrated that vitamin D can influence the process of angiogenesis. However, the role of maternal vitamin D in influencing placental angiogenesis in preeclampsia is unclear and needs to be explored.