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Reduced apoptosis in term placentas from gestational diabetic pregnancies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2013

L. Belkacemi ,
S. Kjos ,
D. M. Nelson ,
M. Desai  and
M. G. Ross
L. Belkacemi*
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatal Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Harbor-UCLA, Torrance, California, USA
S. Kjos
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatal Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
D. M. Nelson
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University, School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
M. Desai
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatal Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Harbor-UCLA, Torrance, California, USA
M. G. Ross
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatal Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Harbor-UCLA, Torrance, California, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr Louiza Belkacemi, London Health Sciences Center, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5A5. (Email lbelkace@uwo.ca)
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Abstract

Gestational diabetic mellitus (GDM) pregnancies have an increased risk of macrosomic infants and large placental mass, though the mechanisms explaining each of these is uncertain. We sought to evaluate the contribution of apoptosis to placental size and the expression of glucose transporters (SLC2A) in GDM pregnancies. Maternal age and pre-pregnancy body weight were documented. Newborn weights were recorded after delivery. Placentas 37–40-week gestation from control patients (no pregnancy complication) (n = 5), or with GDM (n = 5) were weighed immediately after delivery. Villous samples (4 mm diameter) were collected and divided into specimens; one was fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for immunostaining using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and activated caspase-3. The other specimen was snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80°C for active caspase-3, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), SLC2A1 and SLC2A3 gene expression analysis. Our results showed that maternal age and pre-pregnancy body weight were significantly higher in the GDM group when compared with those from the controls (P < 0.05). The mean neonatal birth weight and placenta weight were significantly higher in the GDM group compared with that from the controls (P < 0.05). The apoptotic index of placentas (0.05 ± 0.01 v. 0.17 ± 0.04, P < 0.04), active caspase-3 polypeptide fragments and PARP protein were significantly decreased in GDM placentas as compared with controls. Further, the level of placental SLC2A1 protein expression was ∼3-fold higher in GDM placentas. Our results suggest that reduced apoptosis in GDM placentas may contribute to increased placental tissue, which together with enhanced SLC2A1 expression, could play a role in fetal macrosomia.

Keywords

apoptosisgestational diabetesmacrosomiaplacenta
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , June 2013 , pp. 256 - 265
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2013 

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