The effect of gestational periods on fasting lipid profile, plasma glucose and chromium levels of apparently healthy pregnant women in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria

Onengiyeofori Ibama; Aleruchi-Didia Tarila Ngowari; Jonathan Nyebuchi; Konne Joel Burabari; Amechi Chibuike Sylvester

doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20223470

Authors

Onengiyeofori Ibama Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Science, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria
Aleruchi-Didia Tarila Ngowari Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Sciences, Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria
Jonathan Nyebuchi Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Faculty of Sciences, Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria
Konne Joel Burabari Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Amechi Chibuike Sylvester Faculty of Medicine, Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20223470

Keywords:

Pregnancy, Trimester, Gestational period, Dyslipidaemia, Apparently healthy

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is a physiological condition in which the uterus of a woman carries at least one embryo for about 38 weeks, from conception to delivery; during this period, several physiological changes in biochemical and haematological functions occur. Knowledge of these changes however, may be helpful in providing effective care for pregnant women; hence this study was aimed at evaluating the effect of gestational periods on lipid profile, plasma glucose and chromium levels of apparently healthy pregnant women in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 200 apparently healthy women were used for the study; 150 of them were pregnant (50 in the first trimester, 50 in the second trimester, and 50 in the third trimester), and the remaining 50 women were not pregnant. They were divided into four (4) groups; group I (control group) consists of 50 non-pregnant women, group II consists of 50 pregnant women in their first trimester, group III consists of 50 pregnant women in their second trimester, while group IV consists of 50 pregnant women in their third trimester. About 8 ml of fasting venous blood was collected from the antecubital fossa of each subject; 3 ml was dispensed into a fluoride oxalate anticoagulant bottle for the determination of plasma glucose concentration. The remaining 5 ml was dispensed into a lithium heparin-anticoagulant bottle for the determination of chromium and lipid profile. The data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey multiple comparison test.

Results: The results showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in glucose levels in the third trimester (group IV) of pregnancy compared to the non-pregnant group (control/group I), and a significant increase in chromium levels in the third trimester (group IV) compared to the non-pregnant group (control/group I), first trimester (group II) and second trimester (group III). Also, plasma triglyceride levels were significantly elevated in the second and third trimesters compared to the non-pregnant group and first trimester. Similarly, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly elevated in the second trimester compared to the non-pregnant group and first trimester, and in the third trimester compared to the non-pregnant group. Contrarily however, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels significantly decreased in the second and third trimesters compared to the non-pregnant group and first trimester, but no significant difference in total cholesterol when all the groups were compared.

Conclusions: These findings revealed increased levels of chromium, which may be responsible for the decreased glucose levels in the third trimester. Also, this study revealed that pregnancy had no effect on the total cholesterol levels. However, an upsurge in triglyceride and LDL levels was noted in pregnancy, specifically in the second and third trimesters, whereas a down surge in HDL was noted in the second and third trimesters. The results show good glucose control, but with dyslipidaemia which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases especially arteriosclerosis.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biography

Onengiyeofori Ibama, Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Science, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria

Department of Medical Laboratory Science

References

World Health Organization. International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, 10th revision. Geneva (CH). 2006. Available at: https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/classification-of-diseases. Accessed on 12 October 2022.

Guyton AC, Hall JE. Pregnancy and lactation: hormonal factors in pregnancy. Textbook of Medical Physiology (11th ed.) Philadephia. Elsevier. 2020;1031-4.

Curtis GB, Schuler J. Your Pregnancy Week by week (7th Ed.) USA: Da Capo Press. 2011.

Siddiqui AA, Siddiqui SA, Ahmad S, Siddiqui, S, Ahsan I, Sahu K. Diabetes: Mechanism, pathophysiology and management- A Review” Int J Drug Dev Res. 2013;5(2):1-23.

Ibama O, Chioma U, Konne JL, Konne F. Effect of Ingested Foods Preheated (With Microwave) in Plastic Containers on the Reproductive Profile of Male Albino Rats. J. Adv Med Med Res. 2020;32:71-5.

Ibama O, Nwachuku EO, Aggokabo-Fatchu OP, Konne JB, Konne EO, Konne FE, Owhondah LS, Doneh LS. Effect of Revive Capsule on Cardiovascular Risk Indices in Male Albino Rats in Relation to the Duration of Administration. Am J Biomed Sci. 2021;13(3):118-25.

Ibama O, Amadi FC. Assessment of Serum Levels of Some Heavy Metals in Carpenters Residing in Port-Harcourt in Relation to Their Lifestyle. Asian J Res Med Pharm Sci. 2018;4(4):1-7.

Nigam A, Varun N, Sharma S, Munjal YP, Prakash A. Glycaemic profile in the second and third trimesters of normal pregnancy compared to non-pregnant adult females. Obstet Med. 2020;13(1):30-6.

Nwaoguikpe RN, Uwakwe AA. Blood glucose levels of pregnant women at different gestation periods in Aba area of Abia State of Nigeria. Sci Res Essays. 2008;3(8):373-5.

Gunton JE, Hams G, Hitchman R, McElduff A. Serum chromium does not predict glucose tolerance in late pregnancy. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;73(1):99-104.

Mertz W, Toepfer EW, Roginski EE, Polansky MM. Present knowledge of the role of chromium. Fed Proc. 1974;33(11):2275-80.

Blessing IO, Okojie FO, Eseigbe MA, Okhiai O, Unuabonah F, Dike M. Comparative study of lipid profile of normal pregnant women in the different trimesters. Arch Appl Sci Res. 2011;3(3):528-32.

Bartels A, O’Donoghue K. Cholesterol in pregnancy: a review of knowns and unknowns. Obstet Med. 2011;4(1):147-51.

Stock MJ, Metcalfe J. Maternal physiology during gestation. In: Knobil E, Neil JD, editors. The physiology of reproduction. Raven press, New York. 1994;947-83.

Butte NF. Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in pregnancy: normal compared with gestational diabetes mellitus. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71(5):1256-61.

Kumari K, Sharan S, Kumar R. Assessment of changes in lipid profile of pregnant women during periods of gestation and postpartum in Chotanagpur - a descriptive study. Int J Contemp Med. 2018;5(5):4-7.

Roeschlau P, Bernt E, Gruber WA. Enzymatic analysis of total cholesterol. Clin Chem Clin Biochem. 1974;12(1):226-8.

Mcgowan MW, Fossati P, Prencipe L. Enzymatic analysis of plasma triglyceride. Clin Chem. 1982;28(1):2077-8.

Pusukuru R, Shenoi AS, Kyada PK, Ghodke B, Mehta V, Bhuta K, Bhatia A. Evaluation of Lipid Profile in Second and Third Trimester of Pregnancy. J Clin Diagnost Res. 2016;10(3):12-6.

Fahraeus L, Larsson-Cohn U, Wallentin L. Plasma Lipoproteins Including High Density Lipoprotein Subfractions During Normal Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 1985;66(1):468-72.

Jimenez DM, Pocovi M, Ramon C. Longitudinal study of plasma lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol in normal pregnancy and puerpurium. J Gynecol Obstet Investig. 1988;25(3):158-64.

Brizzi P, Tonolo G, Esposito F, Puddu L, Dessole S, Maioli M, Milia S. Lipoprotein metabolism during normal pregnancy. Amer J Ob Gyn. 1999;181(2):430-4.

Edison RJ, Berg K, Remaley A, Kelley R, Rotimi C, Stevenson RE, Muenke M. Adverse birth outcome among mothers with low serum cholesterol. Pediatr. 2007;120(4):723-33.