Placentae for Low Birth Weight Piglets Are Vulnerable to Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Impaired Angiogenesis

Abstract

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with fetal mortality and morbidity. One of the most common causes of IUGR is placental insufficiency, including placental vascular defects, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, a high level of oxidative stress induces placental vascular lesions. Here, we evaluated the oxidative stress status, mitochondrial function, angiogenesis, and nutrient transporters in placentae of piglets with different birth weights: <500 g (L), 500–600 g (LM), 600–700 g (M), and >700 g (H). Results showed that placentae from the L group had higher oxidative damage, lower adenosine triphosphate and citrate synthase levels, and lower vascular density, compared to those from the other groups. Protein expression of angiogenic markers, including vascular endothelial cadherin, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, was the lowest in the L group placentae compared to the other groups. In addition, the protein levels of glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT3 were downregulated in the L group, compared to the other groups. Furthermore, oxidative stress induced by H2O2 inhibited tube formation and migration in porcine vascular endothelial cells. Collectively, placentae for lower birth weight neonates are vulnerable to oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired angiogenesis.

Maternal Supply of Cysteamine during Late Gestation Alleviates Oxidative Stress and Enhances Angiogenesis in Porcine Placenta

“…Therefore, the effect of CS on placental vessel density was evaluated in the present study, and 100 mg/ kg CS dietary supplementation was found to increase the placental vessel density in LBW piglets. CD31 is a biomarker of endothelial cells in blood vessels, and VEGF-A is a major driver of blood vessel formation [19]. The increased CD31 immuno uorescence intensity and VEGF-A mRNA level further demonstrated that the placental vessel density was higher in the CS100 group than in the other three groups.…”

“…The wound healing scratch assay was used to assess cell migration as previously described [19]. Brie y, cells were seeded onto a 6-well plate and cultured overnight until the formation of a con uent monolayer, followed by making a scratch wound with a 200-µL pipette tip and measuring the effects of H 2 O 2 , CS, and stattic on scratch healing at 24 h after the scratch.…”

“…Placental tissues xed in 4% paraformaldehyde were embedded in para n and sectioned at 5 μm thickness for platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) immuno uorescence as described previously [19].…”

Possible potentials of curcumin for pregnancies complicated by intra-uterine growth restriction: role of inflammation, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress

“…Also, serum cortisone levels were significantly lower in the LPDHD and LPLD groups compared to the LPDs (no significant differences were observed with the NPD group). Moreover, they clearly demonstrated the antioxidant activity and ROS scavenger potential of curcumin induced by Nrf2, catalase ( CTA ), and heme oxygenase-1 ( HO-1 ) expression, as well as a decrease in MDA content [ 53 ]. Also, an in- vivo study has shown that curcumin is able to decrease 8-oxodGaccumulation as well as inducing the expression of oxidant-generating genes (such as COX-2 ), malondialdehyde, and plasma nitrate [ 54 ].…”

Phytogenic Compounds Supplemented to Gestating Hyperprolific Sows Affects the Gut Health-Related Gene Expression and Histological Responses in Neonate Piglets

“…This has increased the litter size; however, it has also increased the percentage of piglets affected with varying degrees of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and a low birth weight (LBW) (1). The IUGR characteristics may be derived from a reduced utero-placental blood flow (2), as well as increased oxidative damage, decreased mitochondrial function, impaired angiogenesis, and downregulated protein levels of glucose transporters in placentae for LBW piglets (3). Indeed, limitations in available nutrients supplied by the sow may slow the growth of fetuses and their intestinal development (4), which are the major causes of morbidity and impaired growth performance in LBW piglets (5).…”