title: Leptin and its Receptors in Human Placenta of Small, Adequate, and Large for Gestational Age Newborns.
abstract: Alterations in birth weight impact postnatal outcome and adult metabolic health. Therefore, fetal growth regulation is crucial for preventing chronic metabolic diseases. Leptin has been suggested to play an important role in placental and fetal growth, albeit its specific mechanisms of action have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to analyze leptin concentrations in placenta, cord blood, and maternal blood of SGA, AGA, and LGA (small, adequate and large for gestational age, respectively) newborns, as well as placental leptin receptor (LEPRa and LEPRb) protein expression. We performed a cross-sectional comparative study in 3 groups of healthy mothers and their term newborns at delivery (SGA, AGA, and LGA, n=20 per group). Placental, maternal blood, and cord blood leptin content were measured by ELISA. Placental LEPRa and LEPRb protein expression were determined by Western Blot. Maternal leptin concentrations correlated positively with maternal weight before and at the end of gestation, without differences between groups. Cord leptin is higher in LGA and lower in SGA, whereas placental leptin is higher in SGA. Placental leptin was inversely correlated with placental weight, independently from maternal weight and gestational age. Both LEPRa and LEPRb expression are lower in SGA, while LEPRa positively correlated with placental weight and birthweight. The current findings indicate that placental leptin and its receptors are differentially expressed in SGA, AGA, and LGA newborns. We suggest that placental leptin and LEPR protein expression may influence placental growth and thus, birth weight.
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Division, Medical Sciences Department, University of Guanajuato, Campus Leon, Mexico, 20 de Enero 929 Col, Obregon, Leon Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Maria-Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lazo-de-la-Vega-Monroy
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Division, Medical Sciences Department, University of Guanajuato, Campus Leon, Mexico, 20 de Enero 929 Col, Obregon, Leon Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Martha I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: González-Domínguez
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Division, Medical Sciences Department, University of Guanajuato, Campus Leon, Mexico, 20 de Enero 929 Col, Obregon, Leon Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaina
authors.affiliation: UMAE No. 48 IMSS, Research Department, Leon, Av. Mexico y Paseo de los Insurgentes Col, Los Paraisos CP, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Myrna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabanero
authors.affiliation: Natural and Exact Sciences Division, Biology Department, University of Guanajuato, Campus Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Leonel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Daza-Benítez
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Division, Medical Sciences Department, University of Guanajuato, Campus Leon, Mexico, 20 de Enero 929 Col, Obregon, Leon Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Juan Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Malacara
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Division, Medical Sciences Department, University of Guanajuato, Campus Leon, Mexico, 20 de Enero 929 Col, Obregon, Leon Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barbosa-Sabanero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000097:blood*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D009929:Organ Size; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin; D054411:Receptors, Leptin