BMC Nutrition (Jan 2024)

Effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on oxidative stress markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines during pregnancy and postpartum among Bangladeshi mother–child pairs

  • Towfida Jahan Siddiqua,
  • Evana Akhtar,
  • Md. Ahsanul Haq,
  • Seterah Shahab-Ferdows,
  • Daniela Hampel,
  • Sharmin Islam,
  • Tahmeed Ahmed,
  • Lindsay H. Allen,
  • Rubhana Raqib

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-023-00785-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Background There is limited research to determine whether vitamin B12 (B12) supplementation during pregnancy and lactation is protective against oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines and whether this effect is transferred to breastfed infants via milk. In addition, associations among maternal plasma/ milk and infant B12 status and immune function markers are poorly characterized. Objectives To evaluate effects of oral B12 supplementation during pregnancy and postpartum on maternal and infant 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG, an oxidative stress marker) and proinflammatory cytokine levels, and examine associations between maternal plasma, breastmilk and infant B12 status as well as immune function markers. Method In a blinded, placebo-controlled trial, Bangladeshi women (n = 68, 18–35 years, hemoglobin < 11 g/dL, gestational weeks 11–14) received either 250 μg/day B12 or placebo throughout pregnancy up to 3-months postpartum. Samples were collected from mothers at baseline and 3-months postpartum and from infants at 3-months to measure B12 status indicators, 8-OH-dG and proinflammatory cytokines. Results Maternal postpartum B12 was positively associated with infant plasma B12. Higher milk B12 concentrations were associated with increased infant B12 (beta (β) = 277, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (132, 423), p<0.001) and lower total homocysteine (β = -7.63, 95% CI = (-12.40, -2.86), p = 0.002) levels. Maternal B12 supplementation reduced plasma 8-OH-dG concentrations among postpartum mothers and infants compared to the placebo group. Supplementation increased plasma TNF-α and IL-6 levels among mothers and IL-10 and IFN-γ levels among infants. Conclusion Milk and maternal plasma B12 at 3 months were associated with infant B12. Maternal B12 supplementation modulates 8-OH-dG and several cytokines which may protect against immune response-induced oxidative stress. Trial registration (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01795131- 1st posted on 20/02/2013).

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