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Review
. 2023 Oct 26;12(11):1918.
doi: 10.3390/antiox12111918.

Exploring the Role of Mediterranean and Westernized Diets and Their Main Nutrients in the Modulation of Oxidative Stress in the Placenta: A Narrative Review

Cielo García-Montero  1   2 , Oscar Fraile-Martinez  1   2 , Diego De Leon-Oliva  1   2 , Diego Liviu Boaru  1   2 , Luis M Garcia-Puente  1   2 , Juan A De León-Luis  3   4   5 , Coral Bravo  3   4   5 , Raul Diaz-Pedrero  2   6 , Laura Lopez-Gonzalez  2   6 , Melchor Álvarez-Mon  1   2   7 , Natalio García-Honduvilla  1   2 , Miguel A Saez  1   2   8 , Miguel A Ortega  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Exploring the Role of Mediterranean and Westernized Diets and Their Main Nutrients in the Modulation of Oxidative Stress in the Placenta: A Narrative Review

Cielo García-Montero et al. Antioxidants (Basel). .

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a major cellular event that occurs in the placenta, fulfilling critical physiological roles in non-pathological pregnancies. However, exacerbated oxidative stress is a pivotal feature of different obstetric complications, like pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and other diseases. Compelling evidence supports the relevant role of diet during pregnancy, with pleiotropic consequences for maternal well-being. The present review aims to examine the complex background between oxidative stress and placental development and function in physiological conditions, also intending to understand the relationship between different dietary patterns and the human placenta, particularly how this could influence oxidative stress processes. The effects of Westernized diets (WDs) and high-fat diets (HFDs) rich in ultra-processed foods and different additives are compared with healthy patterns such as a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) abundant in omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, dietary fiber, and vitamins. Although multiple studies have focused on the role of specific nutrients, mostly in animal models and in vitro, further observational and intervention studies focusing on the placental structure and function in women with different dietary patterns should be conducted to understand the precise influence of diet on this organ.

Keywords: Mediterranean diet; Western diet; high-fat diet; oxidative stress; placenta; polyphenols; pregnancy; ultra-processed foods.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Anatomy and cytoarchitecture of the placenta. (* = General structure of the placental villi).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Oxidative stress in the placenta. During pregnancy, the placenta continuously generates oxidative stress (OS) through the respiratory mitochondrial chain, NADPH oxidase (NOS) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes, and the peroxidation of lipids. These lead to an increase in the amount of free radicals, mainly reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Normal levels of OS play important roles in implantation, placentation, and immunoregulation, which drive a healthy pregnancy. However, excessive production of free radicals is correlated with different pregnancy-related disorders, such as pre-eclampsia (PE), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preterm birth, early pregnancy loss (EPL) and stillbirth, chronic venous disease (CVD), and first-episode psychosis (FEP) during pregnancy.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A summarized view of the role of different diets and their main nutrients in the modulation of oxidative stress in the placenta.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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