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Differences in expression and activity of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-βHSD) type 1 and 2 in human placentas of term pregnancies according to birth weight and gender

V Mericq, IDIMI, School of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
P Medina, IDIMI, School of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
E Kakarieka, Hospital Clinico San Borja Arriaran, Santiago, Chile
L Marquez, Chile, Chile
M Johnson, Santiago, Chile
G Iniguez, IDIMI, School of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, 7591289, Chile

Correspondence: German Iniguez, Email: giniguez{at}med.uchile.cl

Fetal exposure to maternal glucocorticoids may determine fetal growth and the programming of later disorders. Availability of the glucocorticoids in the placenta is regulated by the 11β-HSDs enzymes. Up-to-date there are discrepancies with regard to cortisol (F) cord blood levels in fetuses with IUGR in different species. Objective: To study the expression and activity of 11β-HSDs in placentas from full term SGA,AGA and LGA newborns and cortisol cord blood concentration. Methods: Twenty five placentas from AGA, 24 SGA and 25 LGA. Results: SGA newborns had significantly lower and LGA newborns significantly higher birth weight, birth length, head circumference, and placental weight than AGA counterparts. We observed a direct correlation between placental weight and birth weight, birth length and head circumference, and higher cord F levels in SGA newborns. The 11β-HSD-1 expression was similar among the SGA,AGA and LGA placentas. However, within the placentas of SGA newborns the 11β-HSD-1 mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the chorionic plate compared with basal plate. An inverse correlation between cord F levels and activity of 11β-HSD1 in the chorionic plate of the SGA placentas was detected. The 11β-HSD-2 activity was 7-8 fold higher compared to 11β-HSD-1 in the placentas, and there was a lower 11β-HSD-2 activity in females SGA placentas compared with the male SGA placentas. Conclusion: We observed a lower expression and activity of 11β-HSD1 in the chorionic plate of the SGA placentas suggesting a possible compensatory mechanism to diminish the higher cortisol fetal concentrations observed in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction.