Fat overload in maternal diet alters leptin receptor expression: Probable implication in placental angiogenesis

MAZZUCCO MB; FORNES D; MARTÍNEZ N; HIDEN U; JAWERBAUM A; WHITE V

Foz do Iguazú

Congreso; V SLIMP ? Latin American Symposium on Maternal Fetal Interaction and Placenta; 2013

Fatty diet (FD) in rat gestation induces placentomegalia and macrosomia, together with hyperleptinemia and hyperlipidemia in mothers and fetuses. Our AIM was to analyze the expression of leptin receptor (ObR) in placentas from control and FD groups and evaluate the effects of leptin in angiogenesis. Methods: Rats were fed with standard diet (control) or FD (enriched with 25% saturated fat). Expression and localization of ObR (PCR and IHQ) and NO production (Griess) were analyzed in placentas from both groups. Leptin angiogenesis effect was assessed (Matrigel Assay) in human placental endothelial cell culture. Results: FD increased NO production (p<0.01) and ObR expression (p<0.05) and induced alterations in ObR localization. In vitro, leptin induced a dose-dependent increase in angiogenesis. Conclusion: High levels of circulating leptin together with the increase in ObR and NO production in the placenta could be enhancing angiogenesis, contributing to the development of placentomegalia.