scholarly journals Vasopressin: the missing link for preeclampsia?

2015 ◽  
Vol 309 (9) ◽  
pp. R1062-R1064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy A. Sandgren ◽  
Sabrina M. Scroggins ◽  
Donna A. Santillan ◽  
Eric J. Devor ◽  
Katherine N. Gibson-Corley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Cardiovascular Disorder ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Chronic Infusion ◽  
And Function ◽  
Tissue Rejection ◽  
Sustained Increase

Preeclampsia is a devastating cardiovascular disorder of late pregnancy, affecting 5–7% of all pregnancies and claiming the lives of 76,000 mothers and 500,000 children each year. Various lines of evidence support a “tissue rejection” type reaction toward the placenta as the primary initiating event in the development of preeclampsia, followed by a complex interplay among immune, vascular, renal, and angiogenic mechanisms that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia beginning around the end of the first trimester. Critically, it remains unclear what mechanism links the initiating event and these pathogenic mechanisms. We and others have now demonstrated an early and sustained increase in maternal plasma concentrations of copeptin, a protein by-product of arginine vasopressin (AVP) synthesis and release, during preeclampsia. Furthermore, chronic infusion of AVP during pregnancy is sufficient to phenocopy essentially all maternal and fetal symptoms of preeclampsia in mice. As various groups have demonstrated interactions between AVP and immune, renal, and vascular systems in the nonpregnant state, elevations of this hormone are therefore positioned both in time (early pregnancy) and function to contribute to preeclampsia. We therefore posit that AVP represents a missing mechanistic link between initiating events and established midpregnancy dysfunctions that cause preeclampsia.

Thyroid and parathyroid-independent increase in plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D during late pregnancy in the rat

1988 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. Nguyen ◽  
A. Halhali ◽  
H. Guillozo ◽  
M. Garabedian ◽  
S. Balsan
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Placental Transfer ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Vitamin D Metabolites ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Dihydroxyvitamin D ◽  
Fetal Plasma ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT The effect of thyroparathyroidectomy (TPTX) on the plasma concentrations of the vitamin D metabolites (25-(OH)D, 24,25-(OH)2D and 1,25-(OH)2D) has been studied in pregnant rats and their fetuses during the last quarter of gestation. Maternal and fetal vitamin D metabolites were not significantly affected by TPTX. A significant increase in plasma 1,25-(OH)2D concentrations was observed in both TPTX and control mothers and fetuses from days 19 to 21. Fetal and maternal plasma 25-(OH)D were positively correlated in both control and TPTX groups. Such a correlation was also found for 24,25-(OH)2D in the two groups. In contrast, a positive correlation between maternal and fetal plasma concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2D was found in TPTX but not in control rats. These data suggest that major alterations in calcium metabolism, such as that produced by maternal TPTX, are insufficient to affect the changes in maternal and fetal plasma 1,25-(OH)2D during late pregnancy significantly. They also suggest that parathyroid hormone, thyroxine, and/or calcitonin may control a possible placental transfer of 1,25-(OH)2D in the rat. J. Endocr. (1988) 116, 381–385

scholarly journals Immunoreactive adrenomedullin (AM) concentration in maternal plasma during human pregnancy and AM expression in placenta

2000 ◽  
pp. 683-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Kobayashi ◽  
T Kubota ◽  
T Aso ◽  
Y Hirata ◽  
T Imai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Blot Analysis ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Placental Lactogen ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Maternal Circulation ◽  
The Third ◽  
System A

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a novel vasorelaxant peptide, isolated from human pheochromocytoma. Although AM may be involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular system, a number of other mechanisms are also involved. The present study was undertaken to confirm the presence of AM in human maternal circulation and in placental function during pregnancy. Immunoreactive (ir) AM concentrations in maternal plasma were 3.4+/-0.7fmol/ml (mean+/-s.e. m.) in the first trimester, 3.3+/-1.1fmol/ml in the second trimester, 7.3+/-2.8fmol/ml in the third trimester, 4.1+/-1.9fmol/ml in early puerperium and 3.0+/-0.4fmol/ml in non-pregnant periods; the concentration in the third trimester was significantly greater than those in other periods. Plasma concentrations of estradiol (E(2)), progesterone, human placental lactogen (hPL) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were also measured, using RIA kits. Significant correlations have been demonstrated between the concentrations of irAM and those of E(2), progesterone and hPL. We therefore examined the expression of AM within the placental tissues using immunohistochemistry and northern blot analysis in order to demonstrate a correlation between the presence of AM in the placenta and maternal plasma. Using immunohistochemistry, we detected AM in the amnion at term and the expression of AM mRNA in human placental tissues using cloned human (h) AM complementary DNA as a probe. This study demonstrates the immunoreactivity of human hAM in maternal plasma during pregnancy, and suggests that hAM in maternal plasma is generated partly from placental tissue.

Corticotropin-releasing factor in the ovine fetus and pregnant ewe: role of placenta

1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (4) ◽  
pp. R995-R1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Keller-Wood ◽  
C. E. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Corticotropin Releasing Factor ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Fetal Plasma ◽  
Ovine Fetus ◽  
Arterial Plasma ◽  
Pregnant Ewe

In the sheep, maternal plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol are increased in late pregnancy, and fetal plasma cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone rise precipitously in late gestation. To test whether the ovine placenta secretes corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) into either the maternal or fetal circulation, pregnant ewes and their fetuses were prepared with femoral arterial catheters and uterine and umbilical venous catheters. Samples were taken from all sites before and during hypoxia. There was no difference in CRF concentration across the placenta in the mothers or the fetuses under resting or hypoxemic conditions, but maternal and fetal arterial plasma CRF concentrations increased between 128 and 145 days. In a second study, maternal and fetal femoral venous plasma CRF concentrations were measured 1-19 days before spontaneous parturition. The mean concentration increased 8.6 +/- 0.6 pg/ml 11-19 days before parturition to 13.0 +/- 1.0 and 13.2 +/- 1.4 pg/ml in fetuses 4-8 and 1-3 days before parturition, respectively. Maternal plasma concentrations did not significantly increase in the days closer to parturition. These studies demonstrate that there are low but measurable CRF concentrations in fetal and maternal sheep plasma but that these are not the result of tonic placental secretion of CRF.

PARTURITION IN THE GUINEA-PIG; PLASMA LEVELS OF STEROID HORMONES, STEROID-BINDING PROTEINS, AND OXYTOCIN, AND THE EFFECT OF CORTICOSTEROIDS, PROSTAGLANDINS AND ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIN

1974 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 557-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. V. ILLINGWORTH ◽  
J. R. G. CHALLIS ◽  
N. ACKLAND ◽  
A. M. BURTON ◽  
R. B. HEAP ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Rapid Phase ◽  
Normal Delivery ◽  
Indwelling Catheters ◽  
Consistent Change ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
High Doses

SUMMARY Parturition in the guinea-pig is not preceded by any consistent change in the maternal plasma concentrations of progesterone, total unconjugated oestrogens or corticosteroids, or by a significant change in the concentration of progesterone-binding globulin (PBG). The onset of parturition was delayed by high doses of oestrogens (stilboestrol and oestradiol), but was not affected by oestriol or an antiserum raised against oestradiol. Premature parturition was achieved by the intra-carotid infusion of adrenocorticotrophin or prostaglandins (PGF2α, PGE2, I.C.I. 80,996) in conscious animals with indwelling catheters. I.C.I. 80,996, a potent analogue of PGF2α, induced parturition in all seven guinea-pigs treated; delivery occurred within 6 h of starting the infusion in six animals, and within 48 h in the seventh. The undesirable side-effects that accompanied treatment with PGF2α or PGE2 were not encountered with I.C.I. 80,996. Parturition induced experimentally resembled normal delivery but was not preceded by any significant change in the maternal levels of progesterone, total unconjugated oestrogens, corticosteroids, PBG or CBG in the circulation. Oxytocin was not detected until the delivery of the first foetus. Parturition was not induced by maternal or foetal injections of corticosteroids or dexamethasone. Earlier findings are confirmed that the foetal adrenal grows steadily throughout late pregnancy and, unlike the foetal lamb adrenal, undergoes no rapid phase of growth immediately before term. Foetal adrenal weight decreased relative to foetal body weight. The trigger for parturition in this species remains unidentified.

FOETAL AND MATERNAL PLASMA CONCENTRATIONS OF 13,14-DIHYDRO-15-OXO-PROSTAGLANDIN F IN THE MARE DURING LATE PREGNANCY AND AT PARTURITION

1978 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. BARNES ◽  
R. S. COMLINE ◽  
L. B. JEFFCOTT ◽  
M. D. MITCHELL ◽  
P. D. ROSSDALE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentration ◽  
Maximum Concentration ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Premature Delivery ◽  
Rapid Rise ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Prostaglandin F ◽  
Venous Plasma

SUMMARY The concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F (PGFM), the stable metabolite of prostaglandin F, were measured in the plasma of catheterized mares and foetuses and non-catheterized thoroughbred mares and ponies during the last months of gestation. The plasma concentration of PGFM increased gradually towards term in all groups of animals. During the operation for insertion of catheters, maternal and foetal concentrations of PGFM were high, but the values fell to basal levels 24–48 h after the operation. It was found that preoperative starvation (24 h) led to a rise in the concentration oef PGFM in th maternal plasma. The raised concentrations of PGFM during the operation were associated with low progestogen and high oestrogen concentrations in umbilical venous plasma. The subsequent survival period of the catheterized foal was inversely related to the maximum concentration of PGFM attained during the operation. Changes in the plasma concentration of PGFM were studied during normal parturition in thoroughbred mares, during oxytocin-induced delivery in non-catheterized ponies and during premature delivery or abortion in the catheterized animals. The greatest increase in the concentration of PGFM was seen in the thoroughbred animals during second-stage labour; oxytocin also resulted in a very rapid rise in the level of PGFM, which remained high until delivery. In the catheterized animals, the birth of live foetuses was associated with a rise in the concentration of PGFM in both foetal and maternal plasma during the last 2 h before delivery. Less consistent changes were found during abortion.

scholarly journals Autism-associated synaptic vesicle transcripts are differentially expressed in maternal plasma exosomes of physiopathologic pregnancies

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangwu Fang ◽  
Chan Wan ◽  
Youlu Wen ◽  
Ze Wu ◽  
Jing Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Fetal Brain ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Spontaneous Preterm Birth ◽  
Intrauterine Development ◽  
And Function

AbstractBackgroundDuring intrauterine development, the formation and function of synaptic vesicles (SVs) are thought to be fundamental conditions essential for normal development of the brain. Lacking advanced technology during the intrauterine period, such as longitudinal real-time monitoring of the SV-associated transcripts (SVATs), which include six pairs of lncRNA-mRNA, has limited acquisition of the dynamic gene expression profile (GEP) of SVATs. We previously reported the differential expression of SVATs in the peripheral blood of autistic children. The current study was designed to determine the dynamic profiles of differentially-expressed SVATs in circulating exosomes (EXs) derived from autistic children and pregnant women at different gestational ages.MethodsBlood samples were collected from autistic children and women with variant physiopathologic pregnancies. EXs were isolated with an ExoQuick Exosome Precipitation Kit and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and Western blotting. The expression of lncRNAs and lncRNA-targeted mRNAs were quantified using real-time PCR.ResultsSVAT-associated lncRNAs-mRNAs were detected in autistic children and differentially expressed from the first trimester of pregnancy to the term of delivery. Pathologic pregnancies, including spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB), preeclampsia (PE), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), were compared to normal physiologic pregnancies, and shown to exhibit specific correlations between SVAT-lncRNA and SVAT-mRNA ofSTX8,SLC18A2, andSYPwith sPTB; SVAT-lncRNA and SVAT-mRNA ofSTX8with PE; and SVAT-lncRNA and SVAT-mRNA ofSV2Cas well as SVAT-mRNA ofSYPwith GDM.ConclusionVariant complications in pathologic pregnancies may alter the GEP of SVATs, which is likely to affect the intrauterine development of neural circuits and consequently influence fetal brain development.

scholarly journals Maternal Plasma Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate Concentration Is Inversely Associated with Plasma Cystathionine Concentration across All Trimesters in Healthy Pregnant Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 149 (8) ◽  
pp. 1354-1362
Author(s):  
Maria F Mujica-Coopman ◽  
Dayana R Farias ◽  
Ana B Franco-Sena ◽  
Juliana S Vaz ◽  
Gilberto Kac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Maternal Blood ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Metabolite Concentrations ◽  
Mixed Regression ◽  
One Carbon Metabolism

ABSTRACTBackgroundVitamin B-6 (B-6), in the form of pyridoxal 5′phosphate (PLP), is critical for one-carbon metabolism reactions and cellular function. Plasma PLP concentration decreases throughout pregnancy, but the functional consequences of this have not been studied. Plasma cystathionine is a sensitive indicator of suboptimal B-6 status in healthy adults.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the relation between plasma PLP and cystathionine concentrations, and to assess longitudinal changes in plasma concentrations of metabolites of one-carbon metabolism, including total homocysteine (tHcy), cysteine, methionine, glycine, serine, and glutathione, over the course of pregnancy.DesignThis was a prospective cohort study of 186 healthy Brazilian pregnant women (20–40 y). Plasma PLP and metabolite concentrations were quantified in fasting maternal blood samples collected between 5–13, 20–26, and 30–36 weeks of gestation. Linear mixed regression models were used to determine the association of 1) first-trimester PLP tertiles, and 2) the variation of PLP concentration throughout pregnancy, with related metabolite concentrations across weeks of gestation.ResultsMedian (IQR) PLP concentration decreased from 36.2 (29.2–44.5) to 21.0 (15.9–26.0) to 16.8 (12.9–21.4) nmol/L in the first, second, and third trimester, respectively, whereas cystathionine concentration increased from 63.2 (49.7–78.9) to 122 (98.0–167) to 143 (114–193) nmol/L, respectively (both P < 0.001). The variation of PLP throughout pregnancy was inversely associated with cystathionine concentration across weeks of gestation, after adjusting for confounding factors; β (95% CI) = −0.387 (−0.752, −0.219), P = 0.04. This association significantly differed by trimester and was strongest in the third trimester. Plasma concentrations of glycine, serine, methionine, cysteine, and tHcy decreased, and that of glutathione increased, between the first and second trimesters (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe variation of PLP concentration predicted cystathionine concentration throughout pregnancy. Increases in plasma cystathionine across trimesters may reflect maternal intracellular B-6 deficiency.

scholarly journals Pregnancy increases urinary loss of carnitine and reduces plasma carnitine in Korean women

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 685-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Woon Cho ◽  
Youn-Soo Cha
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Excretion ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Korean Women ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Carnitine Level ◽  
Plasma Carnitine ◽  
Total Carnitine

This study compared plasma and urinary carnitine concentrations in pregnant and non-pregnant Korean women. The subjects were fifty pregnant women and thirty non-pregnant women aged 24–28 years. During the first trimester, dietary carnitine intakes in the pregnant women were much lower than in non-pregnant women (70·00 (sd 29·22) μmol/d), but over the course of pregnancy carnitine intake increased from 44·64 (sd 24·84) μmol/d during the first trimester to 96·11 (sd 36·56) μmol/d during the third trimester. Pregnant women had a significantly lower plasma carnitine concentration than non-pregnant women. Plasma concentrations of non-esterified carnitine, acid-soluble acylcarnitine and total carnitine were significantly lower during the second and third trimesters than the first. Plasma acid-insoluble acylcarnitine levels, which tended to be higher in the non-pregnant women compared with the pregnant women, increased significantly as gestation proceeded. The urinary excretion of non-esterified carnitine, acid-soluble acylcarnitine and total carnitine was significantly higher in the pregnant women during the first and second trimesters than in non-pregnant women and decreased significantly as gestation proceeded. We found that there was a significant decrease in plasma carnitine level even though dietary carnitine intake increased as gestation proceeded. The low urinary excretion of carnitine in late pregnancy may be caused by an increased demand during pregnancy.

Increase in the concentration of immunoreactive endothelin in human pregnancy

1991 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Iwata ◽  
T. Takagi ◽  
K. Yamaji ◽  
O. Tanizawa
Keyword(s):  
Detection Limit ◽  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Vaginal Delivery ◽  
Umbilical Artery ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Fetal Plasma ◽  
The Mean

ABSTRACT Maternal plasma concentrations of immunoreactive endothelin (ir-ET) during pregnancy, labour and after birth were measured by radioimmunoassay. Concentrations of ir-ET in the umbilical artery, umbilical vein, amniotic fluid and neonatal urine were also examined. The mean (± s.e.m.) plasma ir-ET concentration in early pregnancy (4–7 weeks) was 13·7±0·5 pmol/l, which was significantly higher than that in non-pregnant women (5·9±0·3 pmol/l). During pregnancy, plasma ir-ET concentrations gradually decreased to a minimum of 11·5±0·4 pmol/l in weeks 20–23, and then increased again towards term (12·5±0·4 pmol/l after 36 weeks of pregnancy). In women undergoing vaginal delivery, the mean plasma ir-ET concentration (17·1±0·7 pmol/l) increased significantly, compared with that in late pregnancy. After delivery, the plasma ir-ET concentration decreased abruptly to 4·0±0·2 pmol/l on the first day. Plasma ir-ET concentrations in umbilical vessels were significantly higher than those in maternal plasma. In addition, concentrations in the umbilical artery were significantly higher than those in the umbilical vein in cases of vaginal delivery. Concentrations of ir-ET in amniotic fluid were much higher than those in maternal or fetal plasma. ir-ET concentrations in neonatal urine on day 1 after birth were below the detection limit (< 0·1 pmol/l) by radioimmunoassay in 70% of the cases examined but on day 5 after birth ir-ET was present at measurable concentrations in all cases. It is suggested that endothelin may act as a circulating hormone during pregnancy and labour in both maternal and fetal circulations. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 129, 301–307

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