Korean J Phys Anthropol.  2007 Sep;20(3):189-199.

Possible Implications of Placental Expressions for Heat Shock Protein 70 and Lectin-like Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-1 on Postnatal Blood Pressure in Their Newborns

• Choi SY
• Ahn YM
• Min JW
• Park HS
• Kim YJ
• Park EA
• Ha EH
• Lee HY

Abstract

The 'fetal origin' hypothesis propose the alteration in fetal environment result in developmental adaptation, the permanently change in structure, physiology and metabolism, thereby predisposing to cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine disease in adult life. Evidence is accumulating that the fetal environment affects newborn cardiac structure and function in humans, and blood pressure (BP) in newborn predicts the likelihood of developing hypertension in adult life. However, few studies have reported the influence of fetal factors on BP in neonates and an attempt to relate fetal factors to a neonate's BP seems to be important to identify individuals at risk of developing hypertension later in life. As the placenta is the regulator of nutrient composition and supply from mother to fetus and the source of hormonal signals that affect maternal and fetal metabolism, appropriate development of the placenta is crucial to normal fetal development. By virtue of these roles the placenta is in a key position to play a direct role in fetal programming. The aim of this study was to evaluate positive relationship between placental oxidative stress and BP in their healthy newborn offsprings, and propose to relate fetal factors to a neonatal BP. Systemic blood pressure was measured by automated device in 68 healthy term newborns who were born at Ewha Womans Medical Center, and their tissue samples of placentas were obtained from 40 cases which are 20 cases from high neonatal blood pressure group and 20 cases from low neonatal blood pressure group. We investigated placental expressions for heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), as markers for placental oxidative stress using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, and evaluated their association with BP in healthy term newborn babies. The mean values of placental LOX-1 and HSP 70 were significantly higher in newborns with high BP group compared to those with low BP group. Increase in placental oxidative stress was associated with higher newborn systolic blood pressure. These findings suggest that newborn blood pressure may represent prenatal influence on cardiac structure and function.

Keyword

Placenta; Fetal environment; Oxidative stress; Neonatal blood pressure; Lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1; Heat shock protein 70

MeSH Terms

Adult
Blood Pressure*
Blotting, Western
Endocrine System Diseases
Female
Fetal Development
Fetus
Heat-Shock Proteins*
Hot Temperature*
HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins*
Humans
Hypertension
Immunohistochemistry
Infant, Newborn*
Lipoproteins*
Metabolism
Mothers
Oxidative Stress
Physiology
Placenta
Virtues
HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
Heat-Shock Proteins
Lipoproteins