Placental and Serum Levels of Carotenoids in Preeclampsia

Objective: We compared placental tissue, maternal serum, and umbilical cord venous blood levels of four dietary carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, and canthaxanthin) in normal pregnant women and those with preeclampsia.

Methods: Levels of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, and canthaxanthin were measured in placental tissue, maternal serum, and umbilical cord venous blood from 22 normal pregnant women and 19 women with preeclampsia. The criteria for recruitment included gestational age of 30-42 weeks, singleton pregnancy, intact membranes, absence of labor contractions, and absence of any other medical complication concurrent with preeclampsia. Carotenoids were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography.

Results: All four carotenoids were detectable in human placental tissue, maternal serum, and umbilical cord venous blood samples. The levels of beta-carotene, lycopene, and canthaxanthin in placentas from preeclamptic women were significantly lower (P =.032, .009, and .013, respectively, by Mann-Whitney test) than those from normal pregnant women. Maternal serum levels of beta-carotene and lycopene were significantly lower (P =.004 and .008, respectively, by Mann-Whitney test) in women with preeclampsia. However, umbilical cord venous blood levels of these carotenoids were not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusion: Lower placental tissue and maternal serum carotenoid levels in women with preeclampsia suggest that oxidative stress or a dietary antioxidant influence might have an effect on the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.