Horacio Figueroa1,2, Cristobal Alvarado3,4, Jorge Cifuentes5, Mauricio Lozano5, Jocelyn Rocco5, Claudia Cabezas4, Sebastian E Illanes1,2, Elisenda Eixarch6,7, Edgar Hernández-Andrade6,7,8, Eduard Gratacós6,7, Carlos E Irarrazabal5. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile. 2. Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Clinica Davila, Santiago, Chile. 3. Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile. 4. Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile. 5. Laboratorio de Fisiología Integrativa Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile. 6. Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Institut Clínic de Ginecologia, Obstetrícia i Neonatologia, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Barcelona, Spain. 7. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Barcelona, Spain. 8. National Institute of Perinatal Medicine, Mexico City, Mexico.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the role of oxidative damage and nitric oxide (NO) synthases in the fetal heart using a model of intrauterine growth restriction induced by uteroplacental circulation restriction (UCR). METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits kept under 12-h light cycles, with food and water provided ad libitum, were subjected at day 25 of pregnancy to 40-50% uteroplacental artery ligation. We analyzed the gene expression of enzymes linked to nitric oxide synthesis (iNOS, eNOS, HO-1, and ARG-2), hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), and the state of oxidative stress (protein carbonyl levels) in fetal heart homogenates. Additionally, we studied the histological morphology of the fetal heart. RESULTS: We found that fetal growth restriction was associated with a significant reduction in heart weight but a normal heart/body weight ratio in UCR animals. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed normal left and right ventricular thickness but increased vessel dilatation with hyperemia in the hearts of the UCR group. We observed HIF-1α, eNOS, p-eNOS, and iNOS induction concomitant with intensified protein carbonyl levels but observed no changes in HO-1 or ARG-2 expression, suggesting increased NO and oxidative stress in the hearts of UCR animals. CONCLUSION: Uteroplacental circulation restriction increased NO-linked enzymes, oxidative damage, and dilated coronary vessels in fetal hearts.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the role of oxidative damage and nitric oxide (NO) synthases in the fetal heart using a model of intrauterine growth restriction induced by uteroplacental circulation restriction (UCR). METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits kept under 12-h light cycles, with food and water provided ad libitum, were subjected at day 25 of pregnancy to 40-50% uteroplacental artery ligation. We analyzed the gene expression of enzymes linked to nitric oxide synthesis (iNOS, eNOS, HO-1, and ARG-2), hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), and the state of oxidative stress (protein carbonyl levels) in fetal heart homogenates. Additionally, we studied the histological morphology of the fetal heart. RESULTS: We found that fetal growth restriction was associated with a significant reduction in heart weight but a normal heart/body weight ratio in UCR animals. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed normal left and right ventricular thickness but increased vessel dilatation with hyperemia in the hearts of the UCR group. We observed HIF-1α, eNOS, p-eNOS, and iNOS induction concomitant with intensified protein carbonyl levels but observed no changes in HO-1 or ARG-2 expression, suggesting increased NO and oxidative stress in the hearts of UCR animals. CONCLUSION: Uteroplacental circulation restriction increased NO-linked enzymes, oxidative damage, and dilated coronary vessels in fetal hearts.