Transferrin Sialylation in Smoking and Non-Smoking Pregnant Women with Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Abstract

Transferrin (Tf) is a glycosylated protein responsible for transporting iron. Various sialylation levels of Tf are observed during physiological and pathological processes. We studied if the changes in iron stores as well as tobacco smoke may have an impact on foetal development and in consequence lead to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In the third trimester of pregnancy, lower levels of 4-sialoTf isoform and higher levels of 5-sialoTf were observed in the serum of non-smoking women with IUGR in comparison to the control group. On the day of labour, level of 2-sialoTf was significantly lower and level of 3-sialo was Tf higher in the serum of non-smoking women. Level of 4-sialo was found lower in the serum of smoking women with IUGR than in the control group. The observed changes may suggest a connection between iron stores, transport of iron to the foetus and foetal development.

Keywords::

• capillary electrophoresis
• transferrin
• sialylation
• tobacco smoke
• intrauterine growth restriction
• pregnancy

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

The project was funded by the National Science Centre granted on the basis of the decision number DEC 2012/07/N/NZ7/02387.