Effect of gestational hypercholesterolaemia on omental vasoreactivity, placental enzyme activity and transplacental passage of normal and oxidised fatty acids

• Published in: BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology 2007-12, Vol.114 (12), p.1547-1556
• Main Authors: Liguori, A, D’Armiento, FP, Palagiano, A, Balestrieri, ML, Williams‐Ignarro, S, De Nigris, F, Lerman, LO, D’Amora, M, Rienzo, M, Fiorito, C, Ignarro, LJ, Palinski, W, Napoli, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Arteries - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Cholesterol; Developmental programming; Disorders of blood lipids. Hyperlipoproteinemia; Enzymes; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids - administration & dosage; Fatty Acids - chemistry; Female; Fetal Blood - chemistry; Gestational Age; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; Leptin - metabolism; Lipid Peroxidation - physiology; Lipids - blood; Lipids - chemistry; maternal hypercholesterolaemia; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Muscle Contraction - drug effects; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - drug effects; Obstetrics; Omentum - blood supply; Oxidation; Oxidation-Reduction; oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - physiology; placenta; Placenta - enzymology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - metabolism; Prenatal development; vascular reactivity; Vasoconstrictor Agents - pharmacology; Vasomotor System - metabolism
• ISSN: 1470-0328; 1471-0528
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01510.x

Objective  Maternal hypercholesterolaemia during pregnancy increases lipid peroxidation in mothers and fetuses and programs increased susceptibility to atherosclerosis later in life. The objective of this study was to elucidate the role of the placenta in mediating oxidative stress from mother to offspring. Design  Comparison between normo‐ and hypercholesterolaemic mothers (n = 36 each) and their children. Setting  Obstetric wards, hospitals of the University of Naples and Regione Campania. Population  Healthy primiparas delivering by caesarean section. Methods  Biochemical measurements of oxidative stress and serum leptin in cord plasma and placenta, immunochemistry of placenta microvessels, and vasoreactivity studies were performed. Main outcome measures  Oxidative status (i.e. lipid composition and content of oxidised fatty acids, activity of pro‐ and antioxidant enzymes, immunohistochemical presence of oxidation‐specific epitopes) in maternal and cord blood and in placental tissue, as well as vascular reactivity in omental arteries. Results  Hypercholesterolaemia during pregnancy was associated with extensive changes in fatty acid composition of both maternal and cord blood lipids, sufficient to alter vasoreactivity of omental vessels. Results also indicated that the placenta is not only subject to substantial oxidative stress, but that it may further increase fetal oxidative stress through changes of pro‐ and antioxidant enzyme activities. Conclusions  The placenta plays an important role in both transmitting and enhancing pathogenic effects of gestational hypercholesterolaemia.