Glucocorticoid exposure in utero: new model for adult hypertension.
Hypertension is strongly predicted by the combination of low birthweight and a large placenta. This association could be due to increased fetal exposure to maternal glucocorticoids. Fetal protection is normally effected by placental 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-OHSD), which converts physiological glucocorticoids to inactive products. We found that rat placental 11 beta-OHSD activity correlated positively with term fetal weight and negatively with placental weight. Offspring of rats treated during pregnancy with dexamethasone (which is not metabolised by 11 beta-OHSD) had lower birthweights and higher blood pressure when adult than did offspring of control rats. Increased fetal glucocorticoid exposure secondary to attenuated placental 11 beta-OHSD activity may link low birthweight and high placental weight with hypertension.
Benediktsson
R
R
University of Edinburgh, Department of Medicine, Western General Hospital, UK.
Lindsay
R S
RS
Noble
J
J
Seckl
J R
JR
Edwards
C R
CR
D000818:Animals; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010920:Placenta / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D003907:Dexamethasone