Chorionic plate arterial function is altered in maternal obesity.
OBJECTIVE
To characterise Chorionic Plate Artery (CPA) function in maternal obesity, and investigate whether leptin exposure reproduces the obese CPA phenotype in normal-BMI women.


METHODS
CPA responses to the thromboxane-A(2) mimetic U46619 (pre/post leptin incubation), to the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and the occurrence of tone oscillations (pre/post leptin incubation) were assessed in 46 term placentas from women of normal (18.5-24.9) or obese (>30) Body Mass Index (BMI).


METHODS
Area Under the dose response Curve (AUC), maximum response (V(max)), sensitivity (EC(50)) to U46619 (pre/post leptin) and SNP; average vessel tone, oscillation amplitude and frequency (pre/post leptin).


RESULTS
U46619 vasoconstriction was similar between BMI categories (p > 0.05), however vasodilatation to SNP was reduced in obesity (AUC p = 0.02, V(max)p = 0.04) compared to normal-BMI women. Leptin incubation altered responses to U46619 in both normal-BMI (EC(50) at 100 ng/ml leptin; p < 0.05) and obese women (AUC at 50 ng/ml; p < 0.05) but vasomotion was unaffected (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal obesity is associated with altered placental vascular function which may adversely affect placental oxygen and nutrient transport, placing the fetus at risk. Leptin incubation altered CPA vascular function but did not reproduce the obese phenotype.
Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom. Christina.Hayward@manchester.ac.uk
C E
CE
Hayward
L
L
Higgins
E J
EJ
Cowley
S L
SL
Greenwood
T A
TA
Mills
C P
CP
Sibley
M
M
Wareing
D019796:15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002823:Chorion / Q000098:blood supply*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D055815:Young Adult
D020738:Leptin; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009599:Nitroprusside; D019796:15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid