Reduced maternal and cord nerve growth factor levels in preterm deliveries

Abstract

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin, which exerts an important role in the development and function of the central and peripheral nervous system. There is limited information regarding the levels of NGF during pregnancy and its role in fetal development. We have earlier reported increased oxidative stress in pregnancy complications. The present study examines the levels of NGF in maternal and cord samples in preterm deliveries and its association with oxidative stress marker. A total number of 96 women delivering preterm (<37 weeks gestation) and 94 women delivering at term (control group) (≥37 weeks gestation) were recruited. Plasma NGF levels were measured in both mother and cord plasma using the Emax Immuno Assay System Promega kit. Maternal and cord plasma NGF levels were significantly reduced (p<0.05 for both) in women delivering preterm as compared to term. There was a positive association between maternal and cord plasma NGF levels (p=0.022). Maternal NGF levels were negatively (p=0.017) associated with maternal malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Reduced cord NGF levels may affect fetal growth in preterm deliveries which may have implications for the neurodevelopmental pathologies in later life. Circulating maternal NGF levels in preterm pregnancies may be a useful marker to predict NGF levels in the neonate.

Serum β-nerve growth factor concentrations in pregnant female, nonpregnant female, and male cynomolgus monkeys

“…In contrast, a study on serum NGF concentrations over the menstrual cycle and pregnancy (performed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for NGF) found no significant difference in NGF concentrations between pregnant women and age-matched nonpregnant women, although trends toward increased NGF were noted at week 37 of pregnancy and 1 week after parturition [10]. Serum NGF concentrations also were implicated as a potential biomarker in pregnancy for low birth weight associated with pre-eclampsia [8] as well as neurodevelopmental pathologies later in life [7], although serum NGF concentrations determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay vary considerably [7][8][9][10].…”

“…Although NGF concentrations have been measured during pregnancy in humans [7][8][9][10], to date, little is known about NGF concentrations during pregnancy in animal species frequently utilized for embryo-fetal development studies, such as monkeys. The purpose of this study was to quantify NGF concentrations in pregnant female monkeys over the course of pregnancy and to compare them with nonpregnant female and male cynomolgus monkeys using a novel sensitive immunoaffinity liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay [11].…”

Matrix metalloproteinases-2, -3 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1, -2 in placentas from preterm pregnancies and their association with one-carbon metabolites

“…The associations between MMP/TIMP and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were studied on a subset of term (nZ58) and preterm (nZ58) women from this study for which maternal plasma MDA levels were estimated in our previous study (Dhobale et al 2012b). In this study, a positive association between placental MMP2 levels and maternal plasma MDA levels was seen in the whole cohort (rZ0.236, PZ0.011, nZ116).…”

BNDF methylation in mothers and newborns is associated with maternal exposure to war trauma

“…In humans, BDNF levels are altered in attentional, neurodevelopmental, and stress-related mood and anxiety disorders [17–21]. At birth, higher maternal blood but lower cord blood and placental BDNF levels are associated with prematurity and lower gestational age [22–26], with cord blood levels also predicting birth complications [27, 28]. …”