High levels of human chromogranin A in umbilical cord plasma and amniotic fluid at parturition

The amniotic fluid proteome changes with term labor and informs biomarker discovery in maternal plasma

The intra-uterine components of labor, namely, myometrial contractility, cervical ripening, and decidua/membrane activation, have been extensively characterized and involve a local pro-inflammatory milieu of cellular and soluble immune mediators. Targeted profiling has demonstrated that such processes extend to the intra-amniotic space, yet unbiased analyses of the proteome of human amniotic fluid during labor are lacking. Herein, we utilized an aptamer-based platform to characterize 1,310 amniotic fluid proteins and found that the proteome undergoes substantial changes with term labor (251 proteins with differential abundance, q < 0.1, and fold change > 1.25). Proteins with increased abundance in labor are enriched for immune and inflammatory processes, consistent with prior reports of labor-associated changes in the intra-uterine space. By integrating the amniotic fluid proteome with previously generated placental-derived single-cell RNA-seq data, we demonstrated the labor-driven upregulation of signatures corresponding to stromal-3 and decidual cells. We also determined that changes in amniotic fluid protein abundance are reflected in the maternal plasma proteome. Collectively, these findings provide novel insights into the amniotic fluid proteome in term labor and support its potential use as a source of biomarkers to distinguish between true and false labor by using maternal blood samples.

Chromogranin A demonstrates higher expression in preeclamptic placentas than in normal pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Although preeclampsia has long been recognized as a condition affecting late pregnancy, little is known of its pathogenesis or treatment. The placenta releases a number of hormones and molecules that influence the course of pregnancy, one of which is chromogranin A, a soluble protein secreted mainly from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. Its role in pregnancy and pregnancy-related disorders remains unclear. Therefore, the main aim of the proposed study is to determine whether chromogranin A is related with the occurrence of preeclampsia.

METHODS

Placental samples were collected from 102 preeclamptic patients and 103 healthy controls, and Chromogranin A gene (CHGA) expression was measured using real-time RT-PCR, The RT-PCR results were verified on the protein level using ELISA. The normal distribution of the data was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The clinical and personal characteristics of the groups were compared using the Student's t-test for normally-distributed data, and the χ2 test for categorical variables. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for non-normally distributed data. As the log- transformation was not suitable for the given outcomes, the Box- Cox Transformation was used to normalize data from ELISA tests and CHGA expression. Values of P < .05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Chromogranin A gene expression was found to be significantly higher in the study group than in controls. Protein analyses showed that although the CgA concentration in placental samples did not differ significantly, the catestatin (CST) level was significantly lower in samples obtained from women with preeclampsia, according to the controls.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

This study for the first time reveals that chromogranin A gene expression level is associated with preeclampsia. Moreover, the depletion in catestatin level, which plays a protective role in hypertension development, might be a marker of developing preeclampsia. Further studies may unravel role of Chromogranin A in the discussed disease.

Supplementation with Matured Hop Bitter Acids Improves Cognitive Performance and Mood State in Healthy Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline

BACKGROUND

Prevention of age-related cognitive decline and depression is becoming urgent because of rapid growing aging populations. Effects of vagal nerve activation on brain function by food ingredients are inadequately investigated; matured hop bitter acid (MHBA) administration reportedly improves cognitive function and depression via vagal nerve activation in model mice.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the effects of MHBA supplementation on cognitive function and mood state in healthy older adults with perceived subjective cognitive decline.

METHODS

Using a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial design, 100 subjects (aged 45-69 years) were randomly assigned into placebo (n = 50) and MHBA (n = 50) groups, and received placebo or MHBA capsules daily for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) score assessing divided attention at week 12 was significantly higher (p = 0.045) and β-endorphin at week 12 was significantly lower (p = 0.043) in the subjects receiving MHBA. Transthyretin in serum, a putative mild cognitive impairment marker, was significantly higher at week 12 in the MHBA group than in the placebo group (p = 0.048). Subgroup analysis classified by the subjective cognitive decline questionnaire revealed that in addition to improved SDMT scores, memory retrieval assessed using the standard verbal paired-associate learning tests and the Ray Verbal Learning Test at week 12 had significantly improved in the subgroup with perceived subjective cognitive decline and without requirement for medical assistance in the MHBA group compared with that in the placebo group.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that MHBA intake improves cognitive function, attention, and mood state in older adults.