Objectives: Tobacco smoking influence on proteins is leading to despaired foetal nourishment. Transferrin, is an essential metal-binding protein responsible for iron transport and proper foetal development. This study examines influence of tobacco smoking on transferrin sialic acid residues and its connection to foetal nourishment at women with iron deficiency.
Methods: The study involved 190 samples from pregnant women in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester. Women were divided in terms of tobacco smoking and iron deficiency.
Results: During pregnancy, the levels of 2-, 5- and 6-sialo transferrin were increasing while 3- and 4-sialo transferrin were decreasing in all groups. Transferrin isoforms showed positive correlation with lowered iron stores in the blood of non-smoking women.
Conclusion: Tobacco smoking has an influence on number of sialic acids residues in the transferrin and seems to change conversion of Tf isoforms, and this may disturb iron transport and in consequence influence on foetal development and nourishment.
Keywords: Anaemia; Foetal development; Pregnancy; Sialylation; Tobacco smoking; Transferrin.
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