title: Nitrofen increases total retinol levels in placenta during lung morphogenesis in the nitrofen model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been shown that pulmonary retinol level is decreased during lung morphogenesis in the nitrofen-induced PH in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Placenta has a major role in the retinol homeostasis in fetal life. Since there is no fetal retinol synthesis, maternal retinol has to cross the placenta. Placenta is the main fetal retinol store where retinol is stored in retinyl-ester formation. Trophoblasts have to produce its own retinol-binding protein (RBP) for retinol transport from placenta to fetus. Recently, we demonstrated that trophoblastic RBP expression is decreased in the nitrofen model of CDH. The aim of this study was to investigate the retinol transfer from mother to the placenta in nitrofen model of CDH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pregnant rats were exposed to either olive oil or nitrofen on day 9 of gestation (D9). Fetal placenta harvested on D21 and divided into two groups: control (n = 11) and nitrofen with CDH (n = 11). Retinoid levels in placenta were measured using HPLC. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate trophoblastic expression of main RSP genes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total retinol levels in the placenta were significantly increased in CDH placenta compared to control placenta. The retinyl-ester levels were significantly increased in CDH placenta compared to control placenta. Markedly, decreased immunoreactivity of retinoid signaling pathway was observed in trophoblast cells in CDH compared to control placenta.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased placental retinol levels show that retinol is transferred from mother to placenta and stored in the placenta in nitrofen model of CDH during lung morphogenesis. Nitrofen may disturb the mobilization of retinol from placenta to fetal circulation causing PH in CDH.
authors: The National Children's Research Center, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland, bkutasy@hotmail.com.
authors: Balazs
authors: B
authors: Kutasy
authors: Lara
authors: L
authors: Pes
authors: Florian
authors: F
authors: Friedmacher
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Paradisi
authors: Prem
authors: P
authors: Puri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D065630:Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital / Q000378:metabolism*; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D009024:Morphogenesis; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010647:Phenyl Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000069463:Olive Oil; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D010938:Plant Oils; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D014801:Vitamin A; C007350:nitrofen