Mohsen Taghizadeh; Sabihe-Alsadat Alizadeh; Zatollah Asemi
Abstract
Background: To our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the effects of synbiotics on pregnancy outcomes and maternal biochemical indices in pregnant women.
Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of a synbiotic food on pregnancy outcomes and maternal ...
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Background: To our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the effects of synbiotics on pregnancy outcomes and maternal biochemical indices in pregnant women.
Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of a synbiotic food on pregnancy outcomes and maternal biochemical indices among Iranian pregnant women.
Patients and Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted among 52 pregnant women, primigravida, aged from 18 to 35 years with singleton pregnancy at their third trimester. After a 2-week run-in period, pregnant women were divided into two groups to receive either a synbiotic (n = 26) or control food (n = 26) for 9 weeks randomly. The synbiotic food contained a probiotic viable and heat-resistant Lactobacillus sporogenes(1 × 10 7CFU) and 0.04 g inulin (HPX)/g as the prebiotic. Subjects were requested to consume the synbiotic food two times a day in 9 g portions, followed by checking for newborn’s weight, height, head circumference, Apgar score, and hyperbilirubinemia. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study and 9 weeks after the intervention to measure serum calcium, iron, and magnesium and liver enzymes.
Results: Supplementation with synbiotic food for 9 weeks among pregnant women did not affect any significant differences in the cesarean section rate, gestational age, newborn birth size and Apgar score. Synbiotic-supplemented women had a significant rise in serum calcium levels (+0.2 ± 1.0 vs. -0.5 ± 0.8 mg/dL, P = 0.005) compared to women in the control group, while no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of their effects on serum iron, magnesium and liver enzymes levels.
Conclusions: Taken together, consumption of synbiotic food among pregnant women for 9 weeks has resulted in increased levels of serum calcium compared to the control food, but did not affect pregnancy outcomes, serum iron, magnesium and liver enzymes.
Maryam Karamali; Zatollah Asemi
Abstract
Background: Increased metabolic profiles during pregnancy are associated with an increasing risk for maternal and fetal morbidity and remain a significant medical challenge. To our knowledge there are no reports on the favorable effects of calcium supplementation plus aspirin on metabolic profiles among ...
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Background: Increased metabolic profiles during pregnancy are associated with an increasing risk for maternal and fetal morbidity and remain a significant medical challenge. To our knowledge there are no reports on the favorable effects of calcium supplementation plus aspirin on metabolic profiles among pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia.
Objectives: This study was designed to determine the favorable effects of taking calcium supplement plus low-dose aspirin on metabolic profiles among Iranian pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia.
Patients and Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 54 primigravida pregnant women, aged from aged 18 to 40 years with gestational age of 27 weeks and positive roll-over test. The population under study was randomly divided into two groups each including 27 subjects. The case group received 500 mg calcium supplement plus 80 mg aspirin for 9 weeks, compared with untreated placebo control group. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after intervention period to measure fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and serum lipid profiles.
Results: As compared to the placebo, consumption of calcium supplement plus low-dose aspirin resulted in a significant difference in serum triglycerides levels (8.8 vs.51.7 mg/dL, P = 0.03). However, no significant differences were found between case and the placebo groups regarding fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and serum total, HDL, LDL cholesterol levels. As for the placebo group, significant increases were observed in serum total cholesterol (+ 12.4 mg/dL, P = 0.01) and triglycerides levels (+ 51.7 mg/dL, P < 0.0001).
Conclusions: The consumption of calcium supplement plus low-dose aspirin for 9 weeks in pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia resulted in significant reduction in serum triglycerides levels compared to the placebo group, but did not affect FPG and other lipid profiles.
