High density lipoprotein function in pregnancy

Maternal obesity is common and carries an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. In healthy pregnancy the mother’s blood vessel function increases to allow an adequate blood supply to the placenta thus providing oxygen and nutrients for the baby. A particle in the blood, high density lipoprotein (HDL), is known to protect blood vessels walls from oxidative stress and when HDL concentrations are low, poor vessel function and cardiovascular disease develops. The role of HDL in the improvement in blood vessel function in pregnancy and how it is changed in vascular diseases of pregnancy such as preeclampsia is not known.