Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on fetal vessels among obese pregnant women

Abstract

Objective: To determine the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in placental hypoperfusion in obesity. Methods: The prospective study enrolled women with a first-trimester singleton pregnancy in Izmir, Turkey, between January and April 2011. Participants were divided into three groups: obese (body mass index [BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters] >30) with cesarean delivery; normal weight (BMI <30) with vaginal delivery (NVD); and healthy controls (BMI <30) with cesarean delivery. Before delivery, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and uterine and fetal Doppler measurements were taken. VEGF was evaluated immunohistochemically from the umbilical cord. Results: Overall, 109 women completed the study: obesity group (n=13, 11.9%), NVD group (n=50, 45.9%), and control group (n=46, 42.2%). Serum CRP was higher in the obesity group than in the control or NVD groups (P=0.009). VEGF score was highest in the NVD group (9.39 ± 3.11), and lowest in the obesity group (4.58 ± 2.78) (P<0.001). VEGF score decreased by 0.81 for each increase in BMI of 1 (P=0.002). Conclusions: Maternal obesity was related to decreased VEGF expression. Although not supported by Doppler findings, decreased VEGF expression owing to maternal obesity might trigger endothelial dysfunction and inflammation.

Assessment of Endothelial Dysfunction in Pregnant Women With Obesity and Preeclampsia

“…At present there are conflicting data on the level of VEGF synthesis in PE, as reported about its elevated, decreased and normal levels over gestation [8,9]. Recent studies have pointed out the reduced VEGF levels in the blood of pregnant women with obesity [10] can be considered as a stimulating factor in the development of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. However, the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of conditions, which might occur during gestation and possible comorbidities is still poorly understood and requires further in-depth study of this marker in gestation complicated with preeclampsia and obesity.…”

Dynamic volume variation of uterine leiomyomas during pregnancy

“…Moreover, the uterine leiomyoma characteristics revealed in the first‐trimester obstetrical ultrasound image were considered the reference values, and the exact location of the uterine leiomyoma was recorded for paired analyses. The BMI of the pregnant women was calculated from the standardized measurement of height (m) and weight (kg) obtained before delivery, and BMI (kg/m 2 ) was calculated as the weight divided by the square of height 12 . The birth weight (g) of the neonates was obtained after birth.…”

“…The BMI of the pregnant women was calculated from the standardized measurement of height (m) and weight (kg) obtained before delivery, and BMI (kg/m 2 ) was calculated as the weight divided by the square of height. 12 The birth weight (g) of the neonates was obtained after birth.…”