[Smoking cessation during pregnancy, newborn size, and NO-synthase activity in endothelial cells of the umbilical cord--secondary publication].
Newborns of smokers had a lower weight, a smaller head circumference, and were shorter than newborns of smokers and ex-smokers, who stopped smoking early in pregnancy. The activity and concentration of the enzyme which produces the vasodilator nitric oxide were 36% and 47% lower, respectively, in endothelial cells of the umbilical vein from smokers compared with that from nonsmokers and ex-smokers. The findings suggest that smoking reduces nitric oxide production in the foetal vascular bed, contributing to retarded foetal growth caused by the reduction of vasodilatory capacity.
Andersen
Malene R
MR
Gentofte Hospital, Klinisk-biokemisk Afdeling, Hellerup. mardan01@geh.regionh.dk
Simonsen
Ulf
U
Uldbjerg
Niels
N
Aalkjaer
Christian
C
Stender
Steen
S
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000201:enzymology; D014664:Vasodilation; D055815:Young Adult
D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III