PPARs activation in maternal diabetes: Placental effects

JAWERBAUM A

Simposio; SLIMP Satellite; 2014

Placental function is affected by maternal diabetes. In this pathology, the metabolic impairments and consequent generation of a pro-inflammatory environment impairs concentrations of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) and its endogenous ligands in the placenta. PPARs are ligand activated transcription factors that regulate metabolic, anti-inflammatory and developmental processes. There are three PPAR isoforms: PPARalfa, PPARgamma and PPARdelta, and the three of them expressed in the placenta from early stages. In the diabetic placenta, the activation of the different PPAR isotypes regulates lipid metabolism and anti-inflammatory pathways. There are alterations in the expression of PPARs in placental tissues from diabetic animals and in the placenta from diabetic patients. Besides, deficiency in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and impaired formation of arachidonic acid derivatives that activate PPARs are observed in diabetic intrauterine tissues. Activation of PPARs in the placenta can be achieved by both natural and pharmacological activators. Our results show that maternal diets enriched in olive oil and safflower oil lead to the regulation of the altered metabolic and pro-inflammatory pathways in the placenta in experimental models of diabetes and pregnancy. Besides, fetal activation of PPARs also can regulate the placental function, indicating that placental PPAR ligands can be provided both through the maternal and the fetal circulation.