Prepregnancy Obesity Does Not Impact Placental Iron Trafficking. Issue 9 (16th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tussing-Humphreys, Lisa; LaBomascus, Bazil; O'Brien, Kimberly; Nemeth, Elizabeta; Sangkhae, Veena; Steffen, Alana D; Castellanos, Karla; DeMartelly, Victoria; Ruchob, Rungnapa; Welke, Lauren; Hemphill, Nefertiti OjiNjideka; Pezley, Lacey; McLeod, Andrew; Hirsch, Bruni; Elam, Gloria; Ferrans, Carol Estwing; Koenig, Mary Dawn
• Is Part Of: Journal of nutrition. Volume 151:Issue 9(2021)
• Page Start: 2646
• Page End: 2654
• Publication Date: 2021-06-16
• Subjects: iron transport -- iron status -- pregnancy -- placenta -- obesity -- stable isotope; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet -- Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxab191
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3166

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Iron is critical for fetal development. Neonates of obese women may be at risk for poor iron status at birth as a result of maternal inflammation-driven overexpression of hepcidin. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine differences in placental transfer of oral iron ( 57 Fe) and expression of placental transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) and ferroportin (FPN) mRNA and protein and their association with maternal and neonatal iron-related parameters, including maternal hepcidin, among women with and without prepregnancy (PP) obesity. Methods: 57 Fe ingested during the third trimester of pregnancy was recovered in venous umbilical cord blood among 20 PP obese [BMI (in kg/m 2 ): 30.5–43.9] and 22 nonobese (BMI: 18.5–29.0) women aged 17–39 y. Placental TFR1 and FPN mRNA and protein expression were quantified via qPCR and Western blot. Maternal and neonatal markers of iron status and regulation, as well as inflammation, were measured. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests (e.g., Student t test, Pearson correlation) were used for data analysis. Results: There was no difference in cord blood enrichment of 57 Fe or placental mRNA or protein expression of TFR1 or FPN among the women with and without PP obesity. Maternal hepcidin was not correlated with cord blood enrichment of 57 Fe or placental FPN mRNA or protein expression. Maternal log ferritin (corrected for inflammation) was inversely correlated with log percent enrichment of 57 Fe in cord blood (partial r = –0.50; P < 0.01, controlled for marital status) and protein expression of TFR1 ( r = –0.43; P = 0.01). Conclusions: Placental iron trafficking did not differ among women with and without PP obesity. Findings reinforce the importance of maternal iron stores in regulating placental iron trafficking.