Placental transport dysfunction in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects the transfer of fatty acid (FA) from mother to fetus. However, the specific transport alterations remain unclear. This study investigated FA transport from mother to fetus in GDM.

METHODS

Maternal serum, umbilical cord serum, and placental tissues were collected from 20 healthy (normal group) and 20 GDM pregnancies receiving glycemic management (GDM group). Fifty-one FA were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Placenta/mother and fetus/placenta ratios of FA compositions were compared between groups using Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate.

RESULTS

The concentrations and compositions of FA profiles were both changed in GDM. The placenta/mother ratios of cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid (GDM vs normal: 0.648 vs 0.484, p = 0.001), cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (0.449 vs 0.338, p = 0.048), cis-13,16-docosadienoic acid (DDA, 1.436 vs 1.187, p = 0.047), palmitelaidic acid (2.882 vs 2.272, p = 0.023), petroselaidic acid (2.177 vs 1.746, p = 0.004) and linoelaidic acid (1.770 vs 1.423, p = 0.014) were significantly higher in GDM, while the ratio of trans-10-nonadecenoic acid (0.537 vs 0.799, p < 0.001) was lower. The fetus/placenta ratio of total omega-6 long chain polyunsaturated FA (LC PUFA, 0.545 vs 0.590, p = 0.002) with DDA (4.031 vs 4.951, p = 0.031) and cis-7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoic acid (0.494 vs 0.778, p < 0.001) was lower in GDM.

CONCLUSIONS

FA profiles in mother, placenta, and fetus were affected by GDM despite glycemic management, especially in omega-3 and omega-6 LC PUFAs. This finding indicates that addressing fetal FA deficiency may depend on correcting placental dysfunction rather than solely increasing maternal FA supplementation, offering insights for developing nutritional and therapeutic strategies for GDM.