Dietary Polyphenols and Allopregnanolone in Pregnancy: Implications for Postpartum Mental Health

Abstract

Background: Perinatal fluctuations in levels of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (ALLO) may increase risk of postpartum depression and anxiety through alterations in 𝛾-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic signalling and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation. Polyphenols share similar mechanistic effects, but their relevance to perinatal mental health remains understudied. The present thesis examined whether prenatal dietary polyphenol intake is associated with postpartum depressive and anxiety symptom severity and explored whether these associations vary according to circulating ALLO concentrations.

Methods: Plasma ALLO concentrations and dietary intake were measured in the second trimester, and postpartum depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed at postpartum week 6 in healthy pregnant women aged 18 to 45 years old. Linear regression and moderation analyses were conducted.

Results: Polyphenol intake was not independently associated with postpartum symptom severity. However, moderation analyses revealed differential associations between flavone intake and anxiety symptom severity according to circulating ALLO concentrations. At lower ALLO levels, higher flavone intake was associated with lower anxiety symptoms, whereas at higher ALLO levels, it was associated with greater anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion: Associations between prenatal flavone intake and postpartum anxiety symptom severity may depend on underlying neurosteroid concentrations.