Differences in expression and activity of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and 2 in human placentas of term pregnancies according to birth weight and gender.
Eur J Endocrinol
; 161(3): 419-25, 2009 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19542242
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Fetal exposure to maternal glucocorticoids may determine fetal growth and the programing of later disorders. Availability of the glucocorticoids in the placenta is regulated by the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSDs) enzymes. To date, there are discrepancies with regard to cortisol (F) cord blood levels in fetuses with intrauterine growth retardation in different species. Objective To study the expression and activity of 11beta-HSDs in placentas from full term small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) newborns, and cortisol cord blood concentration.METHODS:
Twenty-five placentas from AGA, 24 SGA and 25 LGA were collected.RESULTS:
SGA newborns had significantly lower and LGA newborns had significantly higher birth weight, birth length, head circumference, and placental weight than AGA counterparts. We observed a direct correlation between placental weight and birth weight, birth length and head circumference, and higher cord F levels in SGA newborns. The 11beta-HSD1 expression was similar among the SGA, AGA, and LGA placentas. However, within the placentas of SGA newborns, the 11beta-HSD1 mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the chorionic plate compared with basal plate. An inverse correlation between cord F levels and activity of 11beta-HSD1 in the chorionic plate of the SGA placentas was detected. The 11beta-HSD2 activity was seven- to eightfold higher compared with 11beta-HSD1 in the placentas, and there was a lower 11beta-HSD2 activity in females' SGA placentas compared with the male SGA placentas.CONCLUSION:
We observed a lower expression and activity of 11beta-HSD1 in the chorionic plate of the SGA placentas, suggesting a possible compensatory mechanism to diminish the higher cortisol fetal concentrations observed in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Placenta
/
Pregnancy Trimester, Third
/
Birth Weight
/
11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1
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11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2
/
Term Birth
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Newborn
/
Pregnancy
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur J Endocrinol
Journal subject:
ENDOCRINOLOGIA
Year:
2009
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Chile
Country of publication:
ENGLAND
/
ESCOCIA
/
GB
/
GREAT BRITAIN
/
INGLATERRA
/
REINO UNIDO
/
SCOTLAND
/
UK
/
UNITED KINGDOM