title: Effect of gestational hypercholesterolaemia on omental vasoreactivity, placental enzyme activity and transplacental passage of normal and oxidised fatty acids.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparison between normo- and hypercholesterolaemic mothers (n = 36 each) and their children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Obstetric wards, hospitals of the University of Naples and Regione Campania.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors: Regional Hospital of Pellegrini, Department of Medicine and Division of Cardiology-CCU, ASLNA1, Naples 80100, Italy.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Liguori
authors: F P
authors: FP
authors: D'Armiento
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Palagiano
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Balestrieri
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Williams-Ignarro
authors: F
authors: F
authors: de Nigris
authors: L O
authors: LO
authors: Lerman
authors: M
authors: M
authors: D'Amora
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Rienzo
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Fiorito
authors: L J
authors: LJ
authors: Ignarro
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Palinski
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Napoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D009852:Omentum / Q000098:blood supply*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D010920:Placenta / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D020738:Leptin; D008055:Lipids; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents