Dietary Patterns in Pregnancy and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Mothers and Offspring: The NELA Birth Cohort

BACKGROUND: Although adherence to the Mediterranean and antioxidant-rich diets during pregnancy is suggested to improve maternal-fetal health by reducing oxidative stress, yet there is no study available. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether maternal dietary patterns in pregnancy impact the biomarkers of oxidative stress in mothers and their offspring. METHODS: Study population included 642 mothers and 335 newborns of the “Nutrition in Early Life and Asthma” (NELA) birth cohort. Maternal diet during pregnancy was assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire and a priori-defined dietary indices (relative Mediterranean Diet [rMED], alternative Mediterranean Diet [aMED], Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension [DASH], Alternate Healthy Index [AHEI], and AHEI-2010) were calculated. Biomarkers measured were: hydroperoxides, carbonyl groups, and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8OHdG) determined in maternal blood and newborn cord blood, and urinary maternal and offspring 15-F2t-isoprostane. Multivariate linear regression models were performed. RESULTS: Maternal rMED score was inversely associated with the maternal levels of 8OHdG at mid-pregnancy (beta per 1-point increase = −1.61; 95% CI −2.82, −0.39) and the newborn levels of hydroperoxides (beta per 1-point increase = −4.54; 95% CI −9.32, 0.25). High vs. low maternal rMED score was marginally associated with the decreased levels of 8OHdG in newborns (beta = −9.17; 95% CI −19.9, 1.63; p for trend 0.079). Maternal DASH score tended to be inversely associated with maternal urinary 15-F2t-isoprostane (beta per 1-point increase = −0.69; 95% CI, −1.44, 0.06). High vs. low maternal AHEI score was associated with reduced offspring urinary levels of 15-F2t-isoprostane (beta = −20.2; 95% CI −38.0, −2.46; p for trend 0.026). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that maternal adherence to healthy dietary patterns during pregnancy may reduce DNA damage and lipid oxidation in mothers and offspring.