International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2014): 5.611 Volume 5 Issue 1, January 2016 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Effect of Iron Supplementation on Plasma Lipid Levels in Pregnant Anemic Women Running Title: Iron Supplementation and Lipid Profiles in Pregnant Women Amit Kumar Mani Tiwari 1, 2 , Abbas Ali Mahdi 2 , Sanjay Mishra 1 1 School of Biotechnology, IFTM University, Lodhipur Rajput, NH-10, Delhi Road, Moradabad, India 2 Department of Biochemistry, King George‟s Medical University, Lucknow, India Corresponding Author Prof. Abbas Ali Mahdi Department of Biochemistry, King George‟s Medical University, Lucknow-226003, India Mobile No: +91- 9839011192, 9415007706 Fax No: (0522) 2257539 Email: mahdiaa@rediffmail.com Abstract: Background & Aims: The present study deals with an investigation on the effect of iron deficiency anemia and iron supplementation on anemia markers and plasma lipid profiles in pregnant women. Methods: A total of 350 pregnant women were taken and divided into four groups on the basis of haemoglobin levels viz. control (100), mild (100), moderate (100) and severe (50) patients. All the groups were treated orally with 100 mg of iron and 500 μg of folic acid daily for hundred days. Results: Iron deficient pregnant women reflected a significant increase in plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), triglyceride (TG), lipid peroxide levels (LPx) and serum transferrin receptor levels (sTfR) while reduced concentration of plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL), iron (Fe), total lipid (TL), total cholesterol (TC) phospholipid (PL), serum ferritin and haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) levels. Iron supplementation with folic acid indicated reverse changes in plasma Hb, Hct, Fe TL, TC, PL, TfR and ferritin except HDL levels. Moreover, iron treatment increases the rate of LPx, LDL, VLDL and TG levels. Conclusion: Besides, the results entails that iron supplementation returns to Hb levels but at the cost of lipoprotein oxidation especially in control and base line anemic women. Conclusively data of this study provide new insights into exploring a relationship between iron status and lipoprotein oxidation. However, further studies, including bigger sample size are mandatory to further irresolution of this problem. Keywords: Pregnancy, iron deficiency, iron supplementation, lipid profiles, pregnancy outcome 1. Introduction Iron deficiency is the most widespread micronutrient nutritional deficiency. Women tend to have substantially lower iron stores, making them more vulnerable to iron deficiency when iron intake is lowered or need increases. Iron supplementation is the most widely used approach to controlling the global problem of iron deficiency anemia. It is recognized in terms of excess body iron and “free iron” stimulating lipid peroxidation followed by leading to cell and tissue damage [1-2]. Iron deficiency led anemia is characterized by salient modified features of erythrocytes, including decreased cellular deformability due to anomalies in the structure and function of erythrocyte membrane, microcytosis and hypochromia. Increased susceptibility of these microcytic red blood cells to in vitro oxidative stress has also been demonstrated [3]. Indeed, alterations in proteins and lipids may often be more important in oxidative stress situations in vivo, since they provide the viscoelastic properties essential necessary for membrane deformability [4]. While the length and degree of unsaturation of phospholipid fatty acids particularly influence the lipid bilayer fluidity [5], the proteins and glycophorin play a crucial role in maintaining erythrocyte integrity and antegenecity. Although studies have pronounced modifications in the erythrocyte membrane structure and function in iron deficiency anemia [6], few and rather conflicting data are available on the Indian population with IDA [7]. Lipid metabolism alters during pregnancy [8]. The anabolic phase of early pregnancy encourages lipogenesis and fat storage in preparation for rapid fetal growth in late pregnancy [9]. Normal pregnancy is associated with the formation of susceptible oxidizable particles (high LDL score) and an increase in oxidative damage. Iron deficiency is an independent risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease and is also associated with the development of an atherogenic lipid profile and increased oxidative stress [10]. Pregnant women with iron deficiency may further amplify these changes. Epidemiological studies have shown that low serum iron-binding capacity and high serum iron concentrations following abnormal levels of blood lipids are risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction [11-12]. Despite the great deal of information available on the hematological and biochemical changes in iron deficient anemic women, very limited studies have been carried out to investigate the lipid profiles in women with iron deficiency. A study conducted by Choi et al. [13] revealed lipid levels in patients with iron deficiency anemia to be directly related Paper ID: NOV152814 713