Prostacyclin-Like Activity in Umbilical Arteries Is Dose-Dependently Reduced by Maternal Smoking and Related to Nicotine Levels

Abstract

The influence of maternal smoking on the formation of prostacyclin-like activity in human umbilical arteries was studied in 84 unselected term deliveries. In arteries from infants of nonsmoking mothers the prostacyclin-like activity measured by a bioassay technique amounted to 81 ± 37 ng/g (mean ± SD), and in those from smokers to 67 ± 35 ng/g (p < 0.05). When smokers were divided into those smoking 10 cigarettes daily or more and those smoking 1–9 cigarettes per day, only arteries of infants of the heavier smokers showed a significantly reduced prostacyclin-like activity (56 ± 27 ng/g; p < 0.02). Nicotine and cotinine levels were weakly inversely correlated to prostacyclin-like activity (p < 0.05). Reduced prostacyclin production in umbilical arteries implies reduced capacity for vasodilation and lowered defence against fetal hypoxia in heavy smokers.

Impact of passive smoking on uterine, umbilical, and fetal middle cerebral artery blood flows

“…11 Alterations in prostacyclin, thromboxane, and nitric oxide synthesis or activity might be further pathophysiological mechanisms of smoking-induced fetoplacental circulation impairment. 12,13 Findings of the present study did not support previous reports that assessed the impact of maternal smoking on fetal development and the biophysical profi le, revealing decreased FL, 14 decreased estimated birth weight, 14 and decreased BPD 7,15 especially in male fetuses. 15 Wide variation in gestational age, difference of fetal sex, and variability in the heaviness of the maternal smoking may be the basis of the discrepancy of our study from previous studies that reported an altered fetal biophysical profi le in the presence of maternal smoking.…”

Prolactin, growth hormone and insulin‐like growth factor‐l in newborn children of smoking mothers*

“…Earlier studies have demonstrated that maternal smoking causes disturbed fetal blood flow and uteroplacental underperfusion (Lehtovirta & Forss, 1978;Lindblad et al, 1988;Ahlsten et al, 1990). Also, increased levels of PRL have been found in stress conditions (Noel et a/., 1972;Rossier et al, 1980) and elevations of this hormone are considered as a sensitive indicator of recent stress.…”