Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2020
Journal
The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Volume
46
Issue
8
First Page
1282
Last Page
1291
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.14315
Abstract
AIM: Obesity has been associated with changes in autophagy and its increasing prevalence among pregnant women is implicated in higher rates of placental-mediated complications of pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Autophagy is involved in normal placentation, thus changes in autophagy may lead to impaired placental function and development. The aim of this study was to investigate the connection between obesity and autophagy in the placenta in otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies.
METHODS: Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis were done on placental and omental samples from obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m
RESULTS: As pre-pregnancy BMI increased, there was an increase in both placental and fetal weight as well as decreased levels of LC3B in the central region of the placenta (P = 0.0046). Within the obese patient group, LC3B levels were significantly decreased in the placentas of male fetuses compared to females (P < 0.0001). Adipocytes, compared to milky spots and vasculature, had lower levels of p62 (P = 0.0127) and LC3B (P = 0.003) in obese omenta and lower levels of LC3B in control omenta (P = 0.0071).
CONCLUSION: Obesity leads to reduced placental autophagy in uncomplicated pregnancies; thus, changes in autophagy may be involved in the underlying mechanisms of obesity-related placental diseases of pregnancy.
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Notes
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Maternal obesity reduces placental autophagy marker expression in uncomplicated pregnancies. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research 46, 8 p1282-1291 (2020)], which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.14315. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions: https://authorservices.wiley.com/author-resources/Journal-Authors/licensing/self-archiving.html#3.