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Horm Metab Res 2017; 49(05): 350-358
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-103345
Endocrine Care
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Leptin and its Receptors in Human Placenta of Small, Adequate, and Large for Gestational Age Newborns

Maria-Luisa Lazo-de-la-Vega-Monroy
1   Health Sciences Division, Medical Sciences Department, University of Guanajuato, Campus Leon, Mexico, 20 de Enero 929 Col, Obregon, Leon Guanajuato, Mexico
,
Martha I. González-Domínguez
1   Health Sciences Division, Medical Sciences Department, University of Guanajuato, Campus Leon, Mexico, 20 de Enero 929 Col, Obregon, Leon Guanajuato, Mexico
2   Universidad de la Cienega del Estado de Michoacan de Ocampo, Trayectoria de Ingenieria en Nanotecnologia, Sahuayo, Michoacan, Mexico
,
Silvio Zaina
1   Health Sciences Division, Medical Sciences Department, University of Guanajuato, Campus Leon, Mexico, 20 de Enero 929 Col, Obregon, Leon Guanajuato, Mexico
,
Myrna Sabanero
3   UMAE No. 48 IMSS, Research Department, Leon, Av. Mexico y Paseo de los Insurgentes Col, Los Paraisos CP, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico
,
Leonel Daza-Benítez
4   Natural and Exact Sciences Division, Biology Department, University of Guanajuato, Campus Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, Guanajuato, Mexico
,
Juan Manuel Malacara
1   Health Sciences Division, Medical Sciences Department, University of Guanajuato, Campus Leon, Mexico, 20 de Enero 929 Col, Obregon, Leon Guanajuato, Mexico
,
Gloria Barbosa-Sabanero
1   Health Sciences Division, Medical Sciences Department, University of Guanajuato, Campus Leon, Mexico, 20 de Enero 929 Col, Obregon, Leon Guanajuato, Mexico
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 23 July 2016

accepted 01 February 2017

Publication Date:
28 March 2017 (online)

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Abstarct

Alterations in birth weight impact postnatal outcome and adult metabolic health. Therefore, fetal growth regulation is crucial for preventing chronic metabolic diseases. Leptin has been suggested to play an important role in placental and fetal growth, albeit its specific mechanisms of action have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to analyze leptin concentrations in placenta, cord blood, and maternal blood of SGA, AGA, and LGA (small, adequate and large for gestational age, respectively) newborns, as well as placental leptin receptor (LEPRa and LEPRb) protein expression. We performed a cross-sectional comparative study in 3 groups of healthy mothers and their term newborns at delivery (SGA, AGA, and LGA, n=20 per group). Placental, maternal blood, and cord blood leptin content were measured by ELISA. Placental LEPRa and LEPRb protein expression were determined by Western Blot. Maternal leptin concentrations correlated positively with maternal weight before and at the end of gestation, without differences between groups. Cord leptin is higher in LGA and lower in SGA, whereas placental leptin is higher in SGA. Placental leptin was inversely correlated with placental weight, independently from maternal weight and gestational age. Both LEPRa and LEPRb expression are lower in SGA, while LEPRa positively correlated with placental weight and birthweight. The current findings indicate that placental leptin and its receptors are differentially expressed in SGA, AGA, and LGA newborns. We suggest that placental leptin and LEPR protein expression may influence placental growth and thus, birth weight.

Key words

placenta - leptin receptor - leptin - birth weight

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