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Cáceres D, Ochoa M, González-Ortiz M, Bravo K, Eugenín J. Effects of Prenatal Cannabinoids Exposure upon Placenta and Development of Respiratory Neural Circuits. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1428:199-232. [PMID: 37466775 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-32554-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis use has risen dangerously during pregnancy in the face of incipient therapeutic use and a growing perception of safety. The main psychoactive compound of the Cannabis sativa plant is the phytocannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (A-9 THC), and its status as a teratogen is controversial. THC and its endogenous analogues, anandamide (AEA) and 2-AG, exert their actions through specific receptors (eCBr) that activate intracellular signaling pathways. CB1r and CB2r, also called classic cannabinoid receptors, together with their endogenous ligands and the enzymes that synthesize and degrade them, constitute the endocannabinoid system. This system is distributed ubiquitously in various central and peripheral tissues. Although the endocannabinoid system's most studied role is controlling the release of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, the study of long-term exposure to cannabinoids on fetal development is not well known and is vital for understanding environmental or pathological embryo-fetal or postnatal conditions. Prenatal exposure to cannabinoids in animal models has induced changes in placental and embryo-fetal organs. Particularly, cannabinoids could influence both neural and nonneural tissues and induce embryo-fetal pathological conditions in critical processes such as neural respiratory control. This review aims at the acute and chronic effects of prenatal exposure to cannabinoids on placental function and the embryo-fetal neurodevelopment of the respiratory pattern. The information provided here will serve as a theoretical framework to critically evaluate the teratogen effects of the consumption of cannabis during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Martín Ochoa
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcelo González-Ortiz
- Laboratorio de Investigación Materno-Fetal (LIMaF), Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Karina Bravo
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia, Chile
| | - Jaime Eugenín
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Serine Hydrolases in Lipid Homeostasis of the Placenta-Targets for Placental Function? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126851. [PMID: 35743292 PMCID: PMC9223866 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The metabolic state of pregnant women and their unborn children changes throughout pregnancy and adapts to the specific needs of each gestational week. These adaptions are accomplished by the actions of enzymes, which regulate the occurrence of their endogenous substrates and products in all three compartments: mother, placenta and the unborn. These enzymes determine bioactive lipid signaling, supply, and storage through the generation or degradation of lipids and fatty acids, respectively. This review focuses on the role of lipid-metabolizing serine hydrolases during normal pregnancy and in pregnancy-associated pathologies, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, or preterm birth. The biochemical properties of each class of lipid hydrolases are presented, with special emphasis on their role in placental function or dysfunction. While, during a normal pregnancy, an appropriate tonus of bioactive lipids prevails, dysregulation and aberrant signaling occur in diseased states. A better understanding of the dynamics of serine hydrolases across gestation and their involvement in placental lipid homeostasis under physiological and pathophysiological conditions will help to identify new targets for placental function in the future.
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Mei X, Xu L, Ren Y, Yu M, Kuang L, Li C, Zhang Y, Lu C, Wang Z, Guo Z, Xie X, Huang D, Zhang M. Transcriptome Comparison of Chorion-Attached and Non-chorion-attached Endometrium in Mid-gestation of Rabbit. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:838802. [PMID: 35372533 PMCID: PMC8965606 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.838802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The chorion from the placenta is directly attached to the endometrium (CA) after embryo implantation while some parts of the endometrium are not chorion-attached (NCA). The differences in gene expression between the CA and NCA endometrium mid-gestation are unknown. Our objective was to compare the gene expression profiles of the CA and NCA endometrium of rabbit, to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and correlate the differences with the physiological state of the endometrium at mid-gestation of rabbit. Methods We used transcriptome sequencing to reveal the differences in gene expression between CA and NCA endometrium (n = 3), and then determined the concentration of inflammatory cytokines in CA and NCA tissue and serum by ELISA. Results Six Hundred and Forty-Six DEGs were identified between the CA and NCA endometrium [p < 0.05, |log2 (fold change) |≥ 2], The expression levels of 590 DEGs were higher in the NCA endometrium than in the CA endometrium, while the expression level of only 56 DEGs were higher in CA than in NCA. The DEGs were enriched in gene ontology (GO) terms and pathways related to immune regulation and cellular adhesions. Six hub-genes related to inflammatory mediator regulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and chemokine signaling pathways had a lower expression level in the CA endometrium compared to the NCA endometrium, and the expression levels of genes related to focal adhesion and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptors were significantly higher in NCA endometrium than in CA endometrium. The level of pro-inflammatory cytokines accumulated in the CA endometrium, and high abundance of integrin-β and THBS1 were localized in the luminal epithelium of the NCA endometrium, but not in the CA endometrium. Conclusions Our study reveals differences in gene expression between the CA and NCA endometrium at mid-gestation of rabbit, and suggests implications for endometrial physiological function. The CA endometrium showed relative low-level gene expression compared to the NCA endometrium, while the NCA endometrium performed physiological functions related to focal adhesion and ECM-receptor interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuli Mei
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Animal Science Academy, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Ren
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Minjie Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liangde Kuang
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Animal Science Academy, Chengdu, China
| | - Congyan Li
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Animal Science Academy, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuanzhi Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhicheng Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiqiang Guo
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Animal Science Academy, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaohong Xie
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Animal Science Academy, Chengdu, China
| | - Dengping Huang
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Animal Science Academy, Chengdu, China
- Dengping Huang
| | - Ming Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Ming Zhang
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Sayed TS, Balasinor NH, Nishi K. Diverse role of endocannabinoid system in mammalian male reproduction. Life Sci 2021; 286:120035. [PMID: 34637799 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Endocannabinoid system (ECS) is known for its modulatory role in numerous physiological processes in the body. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are endogenous lipid molecules which function both centrally and peripherally. The ECS is best studied in the central nervous system (CNS), immune system as well as in the metabolic system. The role of ECS in male reproductive system is emerging and the presence of a complete enzymatic machinery to synthesize and metabolize eCBs has been demonstrated in male reproductive tract. Endocannabinoid concentrations and alterations in their levels have been reported to affect the functioning of spermatozoa. A dysfunctional ECS has also been linked to the development of prostate cancer, the leading cause of cancer related mortality among male population. This review is an attempt to provide an insight into the significant role of endocannabinoids in male reproduction and further summarize recent findings that demonstrate the manner in which the endocannabinoid system impacts male sexual behavior and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahseen S Sayed
- Department of Biotechnology, R.D. and S.H. National College and S.W.A Science College, Mumbai 400050, India
| | - Nafisa H Balasinor
- Neuroendocrinology Division, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India.
| | - Kumari Nishi
- Neuroendocrinology Division, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India.
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Heimann AS, Dale CS, Guimarães FS, Reis RAM, Navon A, Shmuelov MA, Rioli V, Gomes I, Devi LL, Ferro ES. Hemopressin as a breakthrough for the cannabinoid field. Neuropharmacology 2021; 183:108406. [PMID: 33212113 PMCID: PMC8609950 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hemopressin (PVNFKFLSH in rats, and PVNFKLLSH in humans and mice), a fragment derived from the α-chain of hemoglobin, was the first peptide described to have type 1 cannabinoid receptor activity. While hemopressin was shown to have inverse agonist/antagonistic activity, extended forms of hemopressin (i.e. RVD-hemopressin, also called pepcan-12) exhibit type 1 and type 2 cannabinoid receptor agonistic/allosteric activity, and recent studies suggest that they can activate intracellular mitochondrial cannabinoid receptors. Therefore, hemopressin and hemopressin-related peptides could have location-specific and biased pharmacological action, which would increase the possibilities for fine-tunning and broadening cannabinoid receptor signal transduction. Consistent with this, hemopressins were shown to play a role in a number of physiological processes including antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity, regulation of food intake, learning and memory. The shortest active hemopressin fragment, NFKF, delays the first seizure induced by pilocarpine, and prevents neurodegeneration in an experimental model of autoimmune encephalomyelitis. These functions of hemopressins could be due to engagement of both cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid receptor systems. Self-assembled nanofibrils of hemopressin have pH-sensitive switchable surface-active properties, and show potential as inflammation and cancer targeted drug-delivery systems. Upon disruption of the self-assembled hemopressin nanofibril emulsion, the intrinsic analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of hemopressin could help bolster the therapeutic effect of anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer formulations. In this article, we briefly review the molecular and behavioral pharmacological properties of hemopressins, and summarize studies on the intricate and unique mode of generation and binding of these peptides to cannabinoid receptors. Thus, the review provides a window into the current status of hemopressins in expanding the repertoire of signaling and activity by the endocannabinoid system, in addition to their new potential for pharmaceutic formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Camila S Dale
- Department of Anatomy, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 14025-600, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 14025-600, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo A M Reis
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Federal University, 21949-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ami Navon
- Department of Biological Regulation, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Michal A Shmuelov
- Department of Biological Regulation, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Vanessa Rioli
- Special Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (LETA), Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CETICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Ivone Gomes
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 10029, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lakshmi L Devi
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 10029, New York, NY, United States
| | - Emer S Ferro
- Department of Biological Regulation, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel; Department of Pharmacology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Ezechukwu HC, Diya CA, Shrestha N, Hryciw DH. Role for endocannabinoids in early pregnancy: recent advances and the effects of cannabis use. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2020; 319:E557-E561. [PMID: 32744098 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00210.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is associated with several physiological processes, including reproduction. This system consists of the cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoid ligands, and enzymes that metabolize and degrade these fatty acids. Recent evidence shows that cannabinoid receptors are expressed in cells of the reproductive system, including endometrial stromal cells, ovaries, and sperm cells. Emerging and recent research suggests that the ECS may play a significant role in reproduction. The endocannabinoid ligands anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol are crucial for successful endometrium decidualization, placental development, and embryo implantation. Alteration in cannabinoid receptor expression or in endocannabinoid homeostasis by excessive intake of cannabis during pregnancy is associated with negative pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth. The use of medicinal cannabis is becoming more widespread in Western countries, especially in people of reproductive age. Cannabis contains phytocannabinoids, which modulate the ECS, and emerging evidence suggests that phytocannabinoids, through their action on cannabinoid receptors, may have a negative impact on fertility, pregnancy outcome, and fetal health. In this mini-review, we highlight the recent advances in the field, which explore the role of endocannabinoids in early pregnancy and the effects of excessive intake of phytocannabinoids in pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry C Ezechukwu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Eko University of Medicine and Health Science, Ijanikin, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Cornelius A Diya
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Eko University of Medicine and Health Science, Ijanikin, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Nirajan Shrestha
- School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Deanne H Hryciw
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
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Vaswani K, Dekker Nitert M, Chan HW, B. Almughlliq F, Peiris HN, Wood-Bradley RJ, Armitage JA, Rice GE, Mitchell MD. Mid-to-Late Gestational Changes in Inflammatory Gene Expression in the Rat Placenta. Reprod Sci 2017; 25:222-229. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719117741375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kanchan Vaswani
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marloes Dekker Nitert
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hsiu-Wen Chan
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Fatema B. Almughlliq
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hassendrini N. Peiris
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ryan J. Wood-Bradley
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - James A. Armitage
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gregory E. Rice
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Murray D. Mitchell
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
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Perinatal maternal high-fat diet induces early obesity and sex-specific alterations of the endocannabinoid system in white and brown adipose tissue of weanling rat offspring. Br J Nutr 2017; 118:788-803. [PMID: 29110748 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114517002884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Perinatal maternal high-fat (HF) diet programmes offspring obesity. Obesity is associated with overactivation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in adult subjects, but the role of the ECS in the developmental origins of obesity is mostly unknown. The ECS consists of endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors (cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1) and cannabinoid type-2 receptor (CB2)) and metabolising enzymes. We hypothesised that perinatal maternal HF diet would alter the ECS in a sex-dependent manner in white and brown adipose tissue of rat offspring at weaning in parallel to obesity development. Female rats received standard diet (9 % energy content from fat) or HF diet (29 % energy content from fat) before mating, during pregnancy and lactation. At weaning, male and female offspring were killed for tissue harvest. Maternal HF diet induced early obesity, white adipocyte hypertrophy and increased lipid accumulation in brown adipose tissue associated with sex-specific changes of the ECS's components in weanling rats. In male pups, maternal HF diet decreased CB1 and CB2 protein in subcutaneous adipose tissue. In female pups, maternal HF diet increased visceral and decreased subcutaneous CB1. In brown adipose tissue, maternal HF diet increased CB1 regardless of pup sex. In addition, maternal HF diet differentially changed oestrogen receptor across the adipose depots in male and female pups. The ECS and oestrogen signalling play an important role in lipogenesis, adipogenesis and thermogenesis, and we observed early changes in their targets in adipose depots of the offspring. The present findings provide insights into the involvement of the ECS in the developmental origins of metabolic disease induced by inadequate maternal nutrition in early life.
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Gelaye B, Sumner SJ, McRitchie S, Carlson JE, Ananth CV, Enquobahrie DA, Qiu C, Sorensen TK, Williams MA. Maternal Early Pregnancy Serum Metabolomics Profile and Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding as Predictors of Placental Abruption: A Prospective Study. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156755. [PMID: 27300725 PMCID: PMC4907440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Objective Placental abruption, an ischemic placental disorder, complicates about 1 in 100 pregnancies, and is an important cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Metabolomics holds promise for improving the phenotyping, prediction and understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms of complex clinical disorders including abruption. We sought to evaluate maternal early pregnancy pre-diagnostic serum metabolic profiles and abnormal vaginal bleeding as predictors of abruption later in pregnancy. Methods Maternal serum was collected in early pregnancy (mean 16 weeks, range 15 to 22 weeks) from 51 abruption cases and 51 controls. Quantitative targeted metabolic profiles of serum were acquired using electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS/MS) and the Absolute IDQ® p180 kit. Maternal sociodemographic characteristics and reproductive history were abstracted from medical records. Stepwise logistic regression models were developed to evaluate the extent to which metabolites aid in the prediction of abruption. We evaluated the predictive performance of the set of selected metabolites using a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC). Results Early pregnancy vaginal bleeding, dodecanoylcarnitine/dodecenoylcarnitine (C12 / C12:1), and phosphatidylcholine acyl-alkyl C 38:1 (PC ae C38:1) strongly predict abruption risk. The AUC for these metabolites alone was 0.68, for early pregnancy vaginal bleeding alone was 0.65, and combined the AUC improved to 0.75 with the addition of quantitative metabolite data (P = 0.003). Conclusion Metabolomic profiles of early pregnancy maternal serum samples in addition to the clinical symptom, vaginal bleeding, may serve as important markers for the prediction of abruption. Larger studies are necessary to corroborate and validate these findings in other cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bizu Gelaye
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Susan J. Sumner
- Discovery Sciences, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States of America
| | - Susan McRitchie
- Discovery Sciences, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States of America
| | - James E. Carlson
- Discovery Sciences, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States of America
| | - Cande V. Ananth
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Daniel A. Enquobahrie
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Center for Perinatal Studies, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Chunfang Qiu
- Center for Perinatal Studies, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Tanya K. Sorensen
- Center for Perinatal Studies, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Michelle A. Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
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The endocannabinoid system: A novel player in human placentation. Reprod Toxicol 2016; 61:58-67. [PMID: 26965993 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa is the most consumed illegal drug around the world. Its consumption during pregnancy is associated with gestational complications, particularly with fetal growth restriction. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are lipid molecules that act by activating the G-protein coupled cannabinoid receptors, which are also target of the phytocannabinoid Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The endocannabinoid system (ECS) participates in distinct biological processes, including pain, inflammation, neuroprotection, and several reproductive events. In addition, an abnormal expression of ECS is associated with infertility and miscarriages. This manuscript will review and discuss the expression of ECS in normal and pathological human placentas, and the role of eCBs and THC in trophoblast proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and function. The current evidence points towards a role of ECS in human placentation, shedding light on the contribution of the eCBs in the coordination of human placentation, and in the cellular mechanisms underlying the deleterious effects of cannabis consumption during pregnancy.
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