Placental MFSD2A expression in fetal growth restriction and maternal and fetal DHA status
Metadatos
Mostrar el registro completo del ítemAutor
Origüela, Valentina; Ferrer-Aguilar, Patricia; Gázquez, Antonio; Pérez-Cruz, Miriam; Gómez-Roig, María Dolores; Gómez Llorente, Carolina; Larqué, ElviraEditorial
Elsevier
Materia
Docosahexaenoic acid Fatty acid Fetal growth restriction
Fecha
2024-04-03Referencia bibliográfica
Origüela, V. et. al. 150 (2024) 31–38. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2024.04.002]
Patrocinador
Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII); European Regional Development Funds (FEDER) [PI17/01215 to CGLL; SAMID Network RD16/0022 to MDGR and EL]Resumen
Introduction: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) may affect placental transfer of key nutrients to the fetus, such as the
fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A (MFSD2A) has been
described as a specific DHA carrier in placenta, but its expression has not been studied in FGR. The aim of this
study was to evaluate for the first time the placental MFSD2A levels in late-FGR pregnancies and the maternal
and cord plasma DHA.
Methods: 87 pregnant women from a tertial reference center were classified into late-FGR (N = 18) or control (N
= 69). Fatty acid profile was determined in maternal and cord venous plasma, as well as placental levels of
MFSD2A and of insulin mediators like phospho-protein kinase B (phospho-AKT) and phospho-extracellular
regulated kinase (phospho-ERK).
Results: Maternal fatty acid profile did not differ between groups. Nevertheless, late-FGR cord vein presented
higher content of saturated fatty acids than control, producing a concomitant decrease in the percentage of some
unsaturated fatty acids. In the late-FGR group, a lower DHA fetal/maternal ratio was observed when using
percentages, but not with concentrations. No alterations were found in the expression of MFSD2A in late-FGR
placentas, nor in phospho-AKT or phospho-ERK.
Discussion: MFSD2A protein expression was not altered in late-FGR placentas, in line with no differences in cord
DHA concentration between groups. The increase in the saturated fatty acid content of late-FGR cord might be a
compensatory mechanism to ensure fetal energy supply, decreasing other fatty acids percentage. Future studies
are warranted to elucidate if altered saturated fatty acid profile in late-FGR fetuses might predispose them to
postnatal catch-up and to long-term health consequences.