Effects of maternal antioxidant supplementation on maternal and fetal antioxidant levels: a randomized, double-blind study

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2003-12, Vol.189 (6), p.1720-1725
• Main Authors: Pressman, Eva K, Cavanaugh, Judith L, Mingione, Matthew, Norkus, Edward P, Woods, James R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Amniotic Fluid - chemistry; Analysis of Variance; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - administration & dosage; Antioxidants - pharmacokinetics; Ascorbic Acid - administration & dosage; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Availability; chorioamnion; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Female; Fetal Blood - chemistry; Gestational Age; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Management. Prenatal diagnosis; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Medical sciences; Nutritional Requirements; Pregnancy; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; Prenatal Care - methods; Probability; Reference Values; Treatment Outcome; vitamin C; vitamin E; Vitamin E - administration & dosage; vitamin supplementation
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/S0002-9378(03)00858-5

We sought to determine whether vitamins C and E could be delivered to the fetal-placental unit through maternal oral supplementation. In a randomized, double-blind study, 20 women received a daily prenatal vitamin with or without 400 IU of vitamin E and 500 mg of vitamin C, starting at 35 weeks' gestation. At randomization, a nutritional questionnaire, plasma vitamin C and E and red blood cell (RBC) vitamin E levels were determined. At delivery, concentrations of maternal and fetal plasma vitamin C and E, maternal and fetal RBC vitamin E, amniotic fluid vitamin C, and chorioamnion vitamin E and tensile strength were determined. Maternal plasma vitamin E levels increased in the supplemented women but not in the control subjects. No changes in maternal vitamin C levels were noted. Maternal plasma vitamin C concentrations at delivery correlated closely with amniotic fluid vitamin C levels. Similarly, maternal plasma vitamin E levels at delivery correlated with the chorioamnion concentration of vitamin E. Maternal plasma vitamin E levels are increased by oral supplementation. Maternal plasma vitamin C and E concentrations correlate with the concentration of vitamin C in the amniotic fluid and vitamin E in the chorioamnion, respectively.