Olga Panagiotopoulou1, Argyro Syngelaki2, Georgios Georgiopoulos1, John Simpson1, Ranjit Akolekar3, Hassan Shehata4, Kypros Nicolaides2, Marietta Charakida5. 1. School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK. 2. Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College Hospital, London, UK. 3. Fetal Medicine Unit, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, UK. 4. Department of Maternal Medicine, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Surrey, UK. 5. Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College Hospital, London, UK; School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK. Electronic address: Marietta.charakida@kcl.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Maternal obesity increases the risk for pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcome and has been associated with long-lasting adverse effects in the offspring, including increased body fat mass, insulin resistance, and increased risk for premature cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle interventions in pregnancy have produced no or modest effects in the reduction of adverse pregnancy outcomes in obese mothers. The Metformin in Obese Pregnant Women trial was associated with reduced adverse pregnancy outcomes and had no effect on birthweight. However, the long-term implications of metformin on the health of offspring remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess whether prenatal exposure to metformin can improve the cardiovascular profile and body composition in the offspring of obese mothers. STUDY DESIGN: In 151 children from theMetformin in Obese Pregnant Women trial, body composition, peripheral blood pressure, and arterial pulse wave velocity were measured. Central hemodynamics (central blood pressure and augmentation index) were estimated with the use of an oscillometric device. Left ventricular cardiac function and structure were assessed by echocardiography. RESULTS:Children were 3.9±1.0 years old, and 77 of them had been exposed to metformin prenatally. There was no significant difference in peripheral blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and body composition apart from gluteal and tricep circumferences, which were lower in the metformin group (P<.05). The metformin group, compared with the placebo group, had lower central hemodynamics (mean adjusted decrease, -0.707 mm Hg for aortic systolic blood pressure, -1.65 mm Hg for aortic pulse pressure, and -2.68% for augmentation index; P<.05 for all) and lower left ventricular diastolic function (adjusted difference in left atrial area, -0.525 cm2, in isovolumic relaxation time, -0.324 msec, and in pulmonary venous systolic wave, 2.97 cm/s; P<.05 for all). There were no significant differences in metabolic profile between the groups. CONCLUSION:Children of obese mothers who were exposed prenatally to metformin, compared with those who were exposed to placebo, had lower central hemodynamic and cardiac diastolic indices. These results suggest that the administration of metformin in obese pregnant women potentially may have a beneficial cardiovascular effect for their offspring.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Maternal obesity increases the risk for pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcome and has been associated with long-lasting adverse effects in the offspring, including increased body fat mass, insulin resistance, and increased risk for premature cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle interventions in pregnancy have produced no or modest effects in the reduction of adverse pregnancy outcomes in obese mothers. The Metformin in Obese Pregnant Women trial was associated with reduced adverse pregnancy outcomes and had no effect on birthweight. However, the long-term implications of metformin on the health of offspring remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess whether prenatal exposure to metformin can improve the cardiovascular profile and body composition in the offspring of obese mothers. STUDY DESIGN: In 151 children from the Metformin in Obese Pregnant Women trial, body composition, peripheral blood pressure, and arterial pulse wave velocity were measured. Central hemodynamics (central blood pressure and augmentation index) were estimated with the use of an oscillometric device. Left ventricular cardiac function and structure were assessed by echocardiography. RESULTS:Children were 3.9±1.0 years old, and 77 of them had been exposed to metformin prenatally. There was no significant difference in peripheral blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and body composition apart from gluteal and tricep circumferences, which were lower in the metformin group (P<.05). The metformin group, compared with the placebo group, had lower central hemodynamics (mean adjusted decrease, -0.707 mm Hg for aortic systolic blood pressure, -1.65 mm Hg for aortic pulse pressure, and -2.68% for augmentation index; P<.05 for all) and lower left ventricular diastolic function (adjusted difference in left atrial area, -0.525 cm2, in isovolumic relaxation time, -0.324 msec, and in pulmonary venous systolic wave, 2.97 cm/s; P<.05 for all). There were no significant differences in metabolic profile between the groups. CONCLUSION:Children of obese mothers who were exposed prenatally to metformin, compared with those who were exposed to placebo, had lower central hemodynamic and cardiac diastolic indices. These results suggest that the administration of metformin in obese pregnant women potentially may have a beneficial cardiovascular effect for their offspring.
Authors: Kerstin M G Brand; Laura Saarelainen; Jaak Sonajalg; Emmanuelle Boutmy; Caroline Foch; Marja Vääräsmäki; Laure Morin-Papunen; Judith Schlachter; Katja M Hakkarainen; Pasi Korhonen Journal: BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care Date: 2022-01
Authors: Josca M Schoonejans; Heather L Blackmore; Thomas J Ashmore; Catherine E Aiken; Denise S Fernandez-Twinn; Susan E Ozanne Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2021-07-28 Impact factor: 5.923