Placental 11B-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 mRNA Levels in Intrauterine Growth Restriction versus Small-for-Gestational-Age Fetuses.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to evaluate placental 11B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11B-HSD-2) mRNA levels in intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses (IUGR) as compared with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses according to clinical criteria.


METHODS
Placental levels of 11B-HSD-2 mRNA levels were measured in SGA (birth weight <10th centile) and gestational-age-matched, appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) births. SGA was classified as IUGR (birth weight <3rd centile or <10th percentile with abnormal uterine artery Doppler or cerebroplacental ratio) or non-IUGR SGA. After RNA extraction, mRNA levels were determined by reverse transcription and quantitative PCR.


RESULTS
A total of 38 placentas were analyzed (20 AGA and 18 SGA). Among the SGA pregnancies, 13 qualified as IUGR. The activity of 11B-HSD-2 in IUGR pregnancies [0.105 (SD 0.328)] was significantly reduced compared to non-IUGR SGA [0.304 (SD 0.261); p = 0.018] and AGA [0.294 (SD 0.328); p = 0.001]. These differences remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders (such as smoking or maternal cortisol levels). Activity levels did not significantly differ between non-IUGR SGA and AGA.


CONCLUSIONS
IUGR fetuses had reduced 11B-HSD-2 activity in comparison with SGA and normally grown fetuses. This finding provides opportunities to develop new placental biomarkers for the phenotypic characterization of fetal smallness.
BCNatal - Barcelona Center of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Neonatology, Hospital Sant Joan de Dx00E9;u and Hospital Clx00ED;nic, Fetal i+D Fetal Medicine Research Center, Barcelona, Spain.
M Dolores
MD
Gómez-Roig
Edurne
E
Mazarico
Daniela
D
Cárdenas
M Teresa
MT
Fernandez
Marta
M
Díaz
Beatriz
B
Ruiz de Gauna
Antonio
A
Vela
Eduard
E
Gratacós
Francesc
F
Figueras
D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases