Chronic maternal stress inhibits the capacity to up-regulate placental 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity.
This study investigated the effects of acute and chronic restraint stress during the third week of pregnancy on placental 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta-HSD2) activity in rats. Acute exposure to stress on gestational day 20 immediately up-regulated placental 11beta-HSD2 activity by 160%, while chronic stress from day 14 to day 19 of pregnancy did not significantly alter basal 11beta-HSD2 activity. However, the latter reduced the capacity to up-regulate placental 11beta-HSD2 activity in the face of an acute stressor by 90%. Thus, immediate up-regulation of 11beta-HSD2, the feto-placental barrier to maternal corticosteroids, may protect the fetus against stress-induced high levels of maternal corticosteroids, but exposure to chronic stress greatly diminishes this protection.
Welberg
Leonie A M
LA
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, WMB suite 4000, 101 Woodruff Cir, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. leonie.welberg@emory.edu
Thrivikraman
K V
KV
Plotsky
Paul M
PM
D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005260:Female; D010920:Placenta / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000201:enzymology*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2