Highly Atherogenic Lipid Particles After Fertility Treatment Denote Preeclampsia in Obese Women

A recent study aimed to investigate the connection between atherogenic dyslipidemia and preeclampsia development during pregnancy – which could subsequently increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. This research was part of a larger clinical trial called "Improving Reproductive Fitness Through Pretreatment with Lifestyle Modification in Obese Women with Unexplained Infertility" (FIT-PLESE), focusing on obese women with unexplained infertility. 

The study involved 279 participants, of whom 80 successfully delivered. Blood samples were collected at various points, including before and after lifestyle interventions and during pregnancy.

The findings showed that women who developed preeclampsia had unfavorable cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratios, higher triglyceride levels, and worse triglyceride/HDL ratios, even after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). Additionally, certain subclasses of very small, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, known for their atherogenic properties, were higher in women with preeclampsia during pregnancy. 

In inference, it was stated that the role of these specific LDL particles in the development of preeclampsia requires further investigation.

Source: Wild RA, Edwards RK, Zhao D, Hansen KR, Kim AS, Wrenn DS. Reproductive Sciences. 2023 Feb 22:1-8.