Lipid Metabolism and Acute Fatty Liver in Pregnancy (V1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation into Lipid Metabolism in Pregnancy and its role in the pathogenesis of Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy
IRAS ID
100722
Contact name
David Williams
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2014/07/49, UCL Data Protection Registration
Research summary
Acute Fatty Liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare disorder of pregnancy (1:10,000 pregnancies). It is a serious complication of pregnancy that can result in the death or profound disability of a mother and her newborn. There is evidence to suggest that the condition has a genetic basis, which makes a mother vulnerable to AFLP. We plan to study families who have been affected by AFLP, using new genetic sequencing techniques to identify novel genetic mutations in affected families.
We are specifically interested in investigating whether there may be defects in oxidation of fatty acids, which are essential for the production of energy in the body. When this process is faulty, insufficient energy leads to organ failure and would explain many of the characteristics of AFLP. Laboratory studies will be performed on blood and urine samples taken from families affected by AFLP to determine any defects in fatty acid oxidation.
We also plan to study fatty acid oxidation in non-pregnant women who have had AFLP by assessing their lipid profile before and after a low oxygen stress in a high altitude chamber. We will also look directly at the production of units of energy (ATP) in the liver of women who have had AFLP using an adapted form of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) imaging.
In pregnancy fat stores are laid down in the first half of the pregnancy. In the third trimester of pregnancy fat is metabolized, providing energy for the mother and fetus. This is a complex process and little is known about how fatty acid oxidation pathways alter during healthy pregnancy. We therefore plan to assess changes in lipid and fatty acid metabolism throughout pregnancy.
It is hoped that this study will provide an understanding of how lipid metabolism changes in pregnancy and how AFLP develops, so that we can predict, diagnose and treat affected mothers and their offspring to prevent the high morbidity and mortality associated with this condition.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1489
Date of REC Opinion
10 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion