Katrine K Hedengran1, Malene R Andersen1,2, Pal B Szecsi1,3,4, Christian Lindh4, Niels Uldbjerg2, Steen Stender1. 1. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark. 3. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Copenhagen University Hospital Holbaek, Holbaek, Denmark. 4. Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Women who smoke, deliver significantly smaller infants. These infants have reduced levels of the vasodilator endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) levels in the umbilical vessels, which may reduce fetal growth. Serum cotinine, the degradation product of nicotine, can be used to determine the level of tobacco exposure. Newborns of environmental smokers are suggested to be smaller and shorter in weight, length, and head circumference. eNOS levels have not yet been studied in these infants. We investigated the existence of a relation between maternal environmental tobacco smoke exposure, eNOS activity, concentration, and birthweight. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 263 healthy singleton pregnancies categorized into three groups according to measured cotinine levels: 175 nonsmokers, 38 smokers, and 50 environmental smokers. Cotinine was quantified by mass spectrometry with a detection limit of .2 ng/mL; eNOS activity and concentration were measured in endothelial cells (ECs) of the umbilical vein. RESULTS: Infants born to environmental smokers had similar weights to infants born to nonsmokers (47 g heavier, P = .48). Cotinine concentrations were .06/.09/.12 ng/mL (quartiles) in infants born to nonsmokers, .27/.37/.81 ng/mL in infants born to women exposed to environmental tobacco smoke, and 43.0/63.8/108.1 ng/mL in infants born to smokers. The eNOS concentration was 1.65 ± .92 ng/106 ECs (mean ± SD) in nonsmokers and 1.71 ± 1.00 ng/106 ECs in environmental smokers. The eNOS activity was 52.0 ± 20.6 pmol l-citrulline/min/106 ECs in nonsmokers and 48.7 ± 19.8 pmol l-citrulline/min/106 ECs in environmental smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Infants born to environmental smokers, as judged by umbilical serum cotinine levels close to .2 ng/mL, are not associated with lower birthweight or reduced eNOS activity, or concentration in the fetal vascular bed.
INTRODUCTION:Women who smoke, deliver significantly smaller infants. These infants have reduced levels of the vasodilator endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) levels in the umbilical vessels, which may reduce fetal growth. Serum cotinine, the degradation product of nicotine, can be used to determine the level of tobacco exposure. Newborns of environmental smokers are suggested to be smaller and shorter in weight, length, and head circumference. eNOS levels have not yet been studied in these infants. We investigated the existence of a relation between maternal environmental tobacco smoke exposure, eNOS activity, concentration, and birthweight. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 263 healthy singleton pregnancies categorized into three groups according to measured cotinine levels: 175 nonsmokers, 38 smokers, and 50 environmental smokers. Cotinine was quantified by mass spectrometry with a detection limit of .2 ng/mL; eNOS activity and concentration were measured in endothelial cells (ECs) of the umbilical vein. RESULTS:Infants born to environmental smokers had similar weights to infants born to nonsmokers (47 g heavier, P = .48). Cotinine concentrations were .06/.09/.12 ng/mL (quartiles) in infants born to nonsmokers, .27/.37/.81 ng/mL in infants born to women exposed to environmental tobacco smoke, and 43.0/63.8/108.1 ng/mL in infants born to smokers. The eNOS concentration was 1.65 ± .92 ng/106 ECs (mean ± SD) in nonsmokers and 1.71 ± 1.00 ng/106 ECs in environmental smokers. The eNOS activity was 52.0 ± 20.6 pmol l-citrulline/min/106 ECs in nonsmokers and 48.7 ± 19.8 pmol l-citrulline/min/106 ECs in environmental smokers. CONCLUSIONS:Infants born to environmental smokers, as judged by umbilical serum cotinine levels close to .2 ng/mL, are not associated with lower birthweight or reduced eNOS activity, or concentration in the fetal vascular bed.
Authors: Astrid Bakke Orvik; Malene Rohr Andersen; Lise Pedersen; Christian Ritz; Steen Stender; Pal Bela Szecsi Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2021-09-17 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Nerea Mourino; Alberto Ruano-Raviña; Leonor Varela Lema; Esteve Fernández; María José López; María Isolina Santiago-Pérez; Julia Rey-Brandariz; Alexandra Giraldo-Osorio; Mónica Pérez-Ríos Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-05-05 Impact factor: 3.240