OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that fetal folate serum concentrations are lower and placental folate transport is impaired in pregnancies of obese women. STUDY DESIGN: Umbilical vein serum and placental tissue were collected from normal weight and obese pregnant women at term. Cellular localization (immunohistochemistry) of folate receptor-α (FR-α), proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT), and reduced folate carrier (RFC) was established. Protein expression (Western blot) and transporter activity (isotope labeled methyltetrahydrofolate) were determined in syncytiotrophoblast microvillus membranes (MVM). RESULTS: Fetal folate concentrations were similar in obese women as compared with normal weight women. Protein expression of FR-α in microvillus membranes was increased (+173%), in RFC was decreased (-41%), and in PCFT was unchanged. However, activity of FR-α, PCFT, and RFC was unaltered in obesity. CONCLUSION: Fetal serum folate concentrations and placental folate transport activity are not altered in obesity at term, which suggests that limited availability of folate does not contribute to abnormal gene methylation and developmental programming.
OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that fetal folate serum concentrations are lower and placental folate transport is impaired in pregnancies of obesewomen. STUDY DESIGN: Umbilical vein serum and placental tissue were collected from normal weight and obese pregnant women at term. Cellular localization (immunohistochemistry) of folate receptor-α (FR-α), proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT), and reduced folate carrier (RFC) was established. Protein expression (Western blot) and transporter activity (isotope labeled methyltetrahydrofolate) were determined in syncytiotrophoblast microvillus membranes (MVM). RESULTS: Fetal folate concentrations were similar in obesewomen as compared with normal weight women. Protein expression of FR-α in microvillus membranes was increased (+173%), in RFC was decreased (-41%), and in PCFT was unchanged. However, activity of FR-α, PCFT, and RFC was unaltered in obesity. CONCLUSION: Fetal serum folate concentrations and placental folate transport activity are not altered in obesity at term, which suggests that limited availability of folate does not contribute to abnormal gene methylation and developmental programming.
Authors: Andrew J Clifford; Gonzalo Rincon; Janel E Owens; Juan F Medrano; Alanna J Moshfegh; David J Baer; Janet A Novotny Journal: Lipids Health Dis Date: 2013-05-08 Impact factor: 3.876
Authors: Jole Martino; Maria Teresa Segura; Luz García-Valdés; M C Padilla; Ricardo Rueda; Harry J McArdle; Helen Budge; Michael E Symonds; Cristina Campoy Journal: Nutrients Date: 2018-11-13 Impact factor: 5.717
Authors: Francesca Gaccioli; Irving L M H Aye; Sara Roos; Susanne Lager; Vanessa I Ramirez; Yoshikatsu Kanai; Theresa L Powell; Thomas Jansson Journal: Reprod Biol Endocrinol Date: 2015-06-09 Impact factor: 5.211