Preeclampsia is associated with compromised maternal synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, leading to offspring deficiency.

Obesity and excessive lipolysis are implicated in preeclampsia (PE). Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with low maternal body mass index and decreased lipolysis. Our aim was to assess how maternal and offspring fatty acid metabolism is altered in mothers in the third trimester of pregnancy with PE (n=62) or intrauterine growth restriction (n=23) compared with healthy pregnancies (n=164). Markers of lipid metabolism and erythrocyte fatty acid concentrations were measured. Maternal adipose tissue fatty acid composition and mRNA expression of adipose tissue fatty acid-metabolizing enzymes and placental fatty acid transporters were compared. Mothers with PE had higher plasma triglyceride (21%, P<0.001) and nonesterified fatty acid (50%, P<0.001) concentrations than controls. Concentrations of major n-6 and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in erythrocytes were 23% to 60% lower (all P<0.005) in PE and intrauterine growth restriction mothers and offspring compared with controls. Subcutaneous adipose tissue Δ-5 and Δ-6 desaturase and very long-chain fatty acid elongase mRNA expression was lower in PE than controls (respectively, mean [SD] control 3.38 [2.96] versus PE 1.83 [1.91], P=0.030; 3.33 [2.25] versus 1.03 [0.96], P<0.001; 0.40 [0.81] versus 0.00 [0.00], P=0.038 expression relative to control gene [square root]). Low maternal and fetal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in PE may be the result of decreased maternal synthesis.

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor is not a potent regulator of anabolic and catabolic gene expression in adult human articular chondrocytes.

Objective. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been reported to be present in articular cartilage and to be a potentially important inducing factor of anabolic and catabolic activity in chondrocytes. The aim of this study was to determine the expression levels of full length-functional-hgf and its receptor c-met in normal and osteoarthritic cartilage and the effect of HGF on anabolic and catabolic gene expression in adult human articular chondrocytes. Methods. Isolated adult human articular chondrocytes were stimulated for 48h with HGF (1, 10, and 100ng/ml). Synthesis of proteoglycans was determined by [(35)S]sulfate incorporation. mRNA levels for anabolic and catabolic genes as well as c-met and (functional) hgf were quantified using real-time PCR. Additionally, in situ mRNA expression levels of hgf and c-met were quantitatively measured from RNA directly isolated from normal and osteoarthritic adult human articular cartilage. Results. Proteoglycan synthesis in adult human articular chondrocytes was not stimulated by HGF nor was a selection of catabolic genes (collagenases and aggrecanases). Normal adult articular chondrocytes expressed only very low levels of hgf mRNA. Slightly higher levels of hgf were detected in chondrocytes isolated from osteoarthritic cartilage. Significant c-met expression was detected in both sample types. Conclusion. Despite the expression of its receptor c-met and its presence in articular cartilage, HGF does not appear to be a potent player in cartilage matrix turnover, at least not in terms of anabolic and catabolic gene expression in normal adult articular cartilage.