Maternal Mediterranean-Style Diet Adherence during Pregnancy and Metabolomic Signature in Postpartum Plasma: Findings from the Boston Birth Cohort

Background: The health benefits of a Mediterranean -style diet (MSD) are well observed, but the underlying mechanisms are Metabolomic profiling offers a systematic approach for identifying which metabolic biomarkers and pathways might be affected by Objectives: This study aimed to identify postpartum plasma metabolites that are associated with MSD adherence during pregnancy further test whether these identified metabolites may vary by maternal characteristics. Methods: We analyzed data from 1410 mothers enrolled in the Boston Birth Cohort (BBC). A maternal food frequency questionnaire was administered and epidemiologic information was obtained via an in -person standard questionnaire interview within 24-72 partum. Maternal clinical information was extracted from electronic medical records. A Mediterranean -style diet score (MSDS) calculated using responses to the FFQ. Metabolomic profiling in postpartum plasma was conducted by liquid chromatography-MS. regression models were used to assess the associations of each metabolite with an MSDS, adjusting for covariates. Results: Among the 380 postpartum plasma metabolites analyzed, 24 were associated with MSDS during pregnancy (false discovery 0.05). Of 24 MSDS-associated metabolites, 19 were lipids [for example, triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholines (PCs), PC plasmalogen, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylethanolamine]; others were amino acids (methionine sulfoxide and threonine), tropane (nor-psi-tropine), vitamin (vitamin A), and nucleotide (adenosine). The association of adenosine and methionine sulfoxide with MSDS differed (P -interaction = 0.033) and maternal overweight or obesity status (P -interaction = 0.021), respectively. Conclusions: In the BBC, we identified 24 postpartum plasma metabolites associated with MSDS during pregnancy. The associations 2 metabolites varied by maternal race and BMI. This study provides a new insight into dietary effects on health under the skin. More are needed to better understand the metabolic pathways underlying the short- and long-term health benefits of an MSD during pregnancy.