Maternal physical activity significantly alters the placental transcriptome

Physically active pregnancies: Insights from the placenta

Physical activity (PA) positively influences pregnancy, a critical period for health promotion, and affects placental structure and function in ways previously overlooked. Here, we summarize the current body of literature examining the association between PA, placenta biology, and physiology while also highlighting areas where gaps in knowledge exist. PA during pregnancy induces metabolic changes, influencing nutrient availability and transporter expression in the placenta. Hormones and cytokines secreted during PA contribute to health benefits, with intricate interactions in pro- and anti-inflammatory markers. Extracellular vesicles and placental "-omics" data suggest that gestational PA can shape placental biology, affecting gene expression, DNA methylation, metabolite profiles, and protein regulation. However, whether cytokines that respond to PA alter placental proteomic profiles during pregnancy remains to be elucidated. The limited research on placenta mitochondria of physically active gestational parents (gesP), has shown improvements in mitochondrial DNA and antioxidant capacity, but the relationship between PA, placental mitochondrial dynamics, and lipid metabolism remains unexplored. Additionally, PA influences the placenta-immune microenvironment, angiogenesis, and may confer positive effects on neurodevelopment and mental health through placental changes, vascularization, and modulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Ongoing exploration is crucial for unraveling the multifaceted impact of PA on the intricate placental environment.

Effects of physical activity on placental analytes in nulliparous persons

INTRODUCTION

Physical activity during pregnancy has long been investigated for its role in preeclampsia prevention. The mechanism of this relationship is unknown, although some studies suggest physical activity may affect placental analytes throughout pregnancy. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of physical activity on preeclampsia-associated placental analytes using a prospective cohort of pregnant nulliparous patients.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be. Frequency and duration of up to three leisure activities was reported in the first and second trimesters and was analyzed, with participants either meeting or not meeting the recommended exercise of 150 min per week. Levels of the following placental analytes, placental growth factor, soluble endoglin, and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT1), were analyzed stratified by the physical activity level.

RESULTS

A total of 1,956 participants were included in the analysis. The level of sFLT1 in the first trimester was lower in the group that had ≥ 150 min per week of physical activity, compared to the group that had < 150 min (846.3 [821.6, 871,8] versus 893.0 [864.5,922.5], p = 0.017). There were no significant sFLT1 changes in the second trimester based on physical activity. After controlling for maternal demographic and clinical factors, sFLT1 levels in the second trimester were significantly lower (p = 0.049) in participants that had ≥ 150 min of physical activity per week.

DISCUSSION

Our findings of decreased sFLT1 levels suggest this could be the mechanism explaining the association between PA in pregnancy and lower risk of preeclampsia.

Influence of a concurrent exercise training program during pregnancy on the placenta mitochondrial DNA integrity and content of minerals with enzymatic relevance. The GESTAFIT project

INTRODUCTION

We aimed i) to investigate the effects of a concurrent (aerobic plus strength) exercise intervention during pregnancy on placental mtDNA copy number, proportion of deleted mtDNA, and on the content of some trace and ultra-trace minerals with coenzymatic relevance; ii) to explore the association of such mitochondrial markers with the concentration of these minerals.

METHODS

For the present study specific aims, 47 placentas were randomly selected from women that participated in the GESTAFIT project into exercise (n = 24) or control (n = 23) groups. The exercise group followed a concurrent aerobic and strength training program, three 60-min sessions/week, from the 17th gestational week until birth. Placenta tissue was collected and processed for minerals determination by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique. RT-PCR was used to determine placentas mtDNA copy number and ND1/ND4 deletion.

RESULTS

After adjusting for potential confounders, the mothers who participated in the exercise program had placentas with greater mtDNA copy number (p = 0.04) and lower mtDNA deletion (p = 0.003). Placentas from mothers in the exercise group presented higher manganese content than those from the controls (0.26 ± 0.03 mg/dL vs. 0.13 ± 0.03 mg/dL, p = 0.003). Placenta manganese content was significantly associated with lower mtDNA deletions (r = -0.382) and greater mtDNA copy number (r = 0.513). Iron content was associated with higher mtDNA copy number (r = 0.393). Selenium content was associated with lower mtDNA deletion (r = -0.377) and greater mtDNA copy number (r = 0.442). Finally, zinc and magnesium content were associated with higher mtDNA copy number (r = 0.447 and r = 0.453, respectively).

DISCUSSION

This concurrent exercise training program induced a better placental status, which might be mediated through an improvement of mitochondrial bioenergetics and antioxidative capacity.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Pregnancy: An Exploratory Study on Oxidative Stress Markers in the Placenta of Women with Obesity

Regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and reduced sedentary time (ST) improve maternal glucose metabolism in pregnancy. More MVPA and less ST outside pregnancy increase antioxidant capacity, hence, are beneficial in preventing oxidative stress. The placenta is the first line of defense for the fetus from an adverse maternal environment, including oxidative stress. However, effects of MVPA and ST on oxidative stress markers in the placenta are unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of MVPA and ST in pregnancy with oxidative stress markers in placentas of overweight/obese women (BMI ≥ 29 kg/m2). MVPA and ST were objectively measured with accelerometers at <20 weeks, 24−27 and 35−37 weeks of gestation. Using linear Bayesian multilevel models, the associations of MVPA and ST (mean and changes) with mRNA expression of a panel of 11 oxidative stress related markers were assessed in 96 women. MVPA was negatively correlated with HSP70 mRNA expression in a sex-independent manner and with GCLM expression only in placentas of female fetuses. ST was positively associated with HO-1 mRNA expression in placentas of male neonates. None of the other markers were associated with MVPA or ST. We speculate that increasing MVPA and reducing ST attenuates the oxidative stress state in placentas of obese pregnant women.

The unexplored role of sedentary time and physical activity in glucose and lipid metabolism-related placental mRNAs in pregnant women who are obese: the DALI lifestyle randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore: (i) the association of sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) during pregnancy with the placental expression of genes related to glucose and lipid metabolism in pregnant women who are obese; (ii) maternal metabolic factors mediating changes in these placental transcripts; and (iii) cord blood markers related to the mRNAs mediating neonatal adiposity.

DESIGN

Multicentre randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

Hospitals in nine European countries.

POPULATION

A cohort of 112 pregnant women with placental tissue.

METHODS

Both ST and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) levels were measured objectively using accelerometry at three time periods during pregnancy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Placental mRNAs (FATP2, FATP3, FABP4, GLUT1 and PPAR-γ) were measured with NanoString technology. Maternal and fetal metabolic markers and neonatal adiposity were assessed.

RESULTS

Longer periods of ST, especially in early to middle pregnancy, was associated with lower placental FATP2 and FATP3 expression (P < 0.05), whereas MVPA at baseline was inversely associated with GLUT1 mRNA (P = 0.02). Although placental FATP2 and FATP3 expression were regulated by the insulin-glucose axis (P < 0.05), no maternal metabolic marker mediated the association of ST/MVPA with placental mRNAs (P > 0.05). Additionally, placental FATP2 expression was inversely associated with cord blood triglycerides and free fatty acids (FFAs; P < 0.01). No cord blood marker mediated neonatal adiposity except for cord blood leptin, which mediated the effects of PPAR-γ on neonatal sum of skinfolds (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In early to middle pregnancy, ST is associated with the expression of placental genes linked to lipid transport. PA is hardly related to transporter mRNAs. Strategies aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour during pregnancy could modulate placental gene expression, which may help to prevent unfavourable fetal and maternal pregnancy outcomes.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Reducing sedentary behaviour in pregnancy might modulate placental expression of genes related to lipid metabolism in women who are obese.