title: Regional variation in angiotensin converting enzyme activity in the human placenta.
abstract: Sensitivity of chorionic plate arteries to angiotensin II (AngII) is greatest at the placental periphery. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is central to the synthesis of AngII and is present in the placental vasculature. We measured vascular ACE activity/mg protein at 8-9 sites between the cord insertion and the periphery in 12 term placentae from normotensive, vaginally-delivered women. ACE increased from insertion to the periphery (P = 0.015); median ACE for each placenta was positively correlated with placental weight (P < 0.05) and placental:birthweight ratio (P < 0.02). We speculate that this may be related to fetal programming since placental:birthweight ratio is related to long-term health.
authors.affiliation: University of Nottingham School of Biosciences, Room 43 North Lab Building, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK. john.brameld@nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Brameld
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hold
authors.forename: F Broughton
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Pipkin
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000378:metabolism; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009929:Organ Size; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010920:Placenta / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A