Influence of tobacco smoking on transferrin sialylation during pregnancy in smoking and non-smoking women with iron deficiency

•During pregnancy are observed shifts toward higher sialylated transferrin isoforms.•Fe stores parameters and changes in Tf sialylation during pregnancy are connected.•Influence of smoking and ID on Tf sialylation suggest they should be taken into consideration when interpreting results of Tf sialylation.

ObjectivesTobacco 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.MethodsThe study involved 190 samples from pregnant women in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester. Women were divided in terms of tobacco smoking and iron deficiency.ResultsDuring 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.ConclusionTobacco 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.