Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2005 May;48(5):1193-1201.

Antioxidant vitamins intakes and plasma levels of retinol, beta-carotene and alpah-tocopherol in pregnant women

• Ahn HS
• Shin JS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
It is now accepted that intakes and serum levels of antioxidant vitamins are associated with the degree of oxidative stress and prevalence of some negative pregnancy outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional status of antioxidant vitamins.
METHODS
The study included 82 pregnant women in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Samsung Cheil Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center between December 2000 and May 2001. The study group was divided according to gestational age: group I (8-17 weeks, 26 women), group II (18-27 weeks, 27 women), group III (28-36 weeks 29 women). Data on dietary intake was collected with the 24 hours recall method. Plasma concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene and alpah-tocopherol were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, the relationship between intakes of antioxidant vitamins and plasma concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene, alpah-tocopherol were analyzed.
RESULTS
Mean daily intake of energy was 1,958.5 kcal (85.5% of recommended dietary allowance, RDA). Mean daily intake of vitamin A, retinol, beta-carotene and vitamin E was 90.5 microgram RE (retinol equivalent) (117.9% of RDA), 195.2 microgram, 4,052.8 microgram and 15.0 mg (140% of RDA) respectively. Plasma levels of retinol, beta-carotene and alpah-tocopherol was 1.48 micro mol/l, 0.27 micro mol/l and 19.99 micro mol/l respectively. Maternal plasma levels of beta-carotene in group III were significantly higher than those in group I or II (p<.05). No significant relationship between plasma antioxidant vitamin intakes and plasma antioxidant vitamin levels was observed with exception of that between plasma alpah-tocopherol concentration and dietary intakes of vitamin E (p<.05) in group I.
CONCLUSION
It is suggested that the nutritional status of antioxidant vitamins of some Korean pregnant women may evaluated as acceptable in general.

Keyword

Antioxidant vitamins; Retinol; beta-carotene; alpha-Tocopherol; Pregnant women

MeSH Terms

alpha-Tocopherol
beta Carotene*
Chromatography, Liquid
Delivery of Health Care
Female
Gestational Age
Gynecology
Humans
Nutritional Status
Obstetrics
Oxidative Stress
Plasma*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Pregnant Women*
Prevalence
Recommended Dietary Allowances
Vitamin A*
Vitamin E
Vitamins*
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamins
alpha-Tocopherol
beta Carotene