Abstract
Maternal obesity is associated with placental oxidative stress. However, the mechanism underlying this association remains poorly understood. In the present study, a gilt obesity model was developed by exposure to different energy diets and used to investigate the role of NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) in the placenta. Specifically, 99 gilts (Guangdong Small-ear Spotted pig) at day 60 of gestation were randomly assigned to one of the following three treatments: low-energy group (L, DE = 11.50 MJ/kg), medium-energy group (M, DE = 12.41 MJ/kg), and high-energy group (H, DE = 13.42 MJ/kg), with 11 replicate pens per treatment and 3 gilts per pen. At the start of the study, maternal body weight and backfat thickness were not significantly different in the three treatments. After the study, data indicated that the H group had higher body weight and backfat thickness gain for gilts during gestation and lower piglet birth weight compared with the other two groups. Additionally, the H group showed glucolipid metabolic disorders and increased triglyceride and nonesterified fatty acid contents in the placenta of gilts. Compared with the L group, the H group exhibited lower mitochondrial biogenesis and increased oxidative damage in the placenta. Importantly, increased mRNA expression and protein abundance of Nox2 were observed for the first time in H group placentae. Furthermore, compared with the L group, the H group showed a decrease in the density of placental vessels and the protein levels of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), and phosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (p-VEGFR2) as well as the immunostaining intensity of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31). Our findings suggest that maternal high-energy diet-induced obesity increases placental oxidative stress and decreases placental angiogenesis possibly through the upregulation of Nox2.
Highlights
Obesity has increased dramatically over the past few decades
Compared to the M group, the H group showed a significant decrease in piglet birth weight (Figure 1(i)), with a significant negative correlation observed between backfat thickness and piglet birth weight (Figure 1(j))
Gilts fed high-energy diet during gestation showed a marked increase in backfat thickness, body mass index (BMI), and body weight at day 110 of gestation, as well as serum TG, glucose, and insulin at parturition day, indicating that the gilts were fatter in the H group than in the other groups
Summary
Obesity has increased dramatically over the past few decades. Maternal obesity or overweight is one of the metabolic disorders for women at a reproductive age. It is not surprising that the number of obese or overweight women has Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity increased during pregnancy over the past few decades. Maternal obesity or overweight is associated with several adverse outcomes, such as gestational diabetes mellitus, proteinuria preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, fetal death, and low birth weight [2, 3], as well as poorer cognitive performance and increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders for the offspring [4]. Offspring of obese mothers (BMI > 30) had an increased risk of hospital admission for a cardiovascular event [5]. The mechanisms underlying the development of these syndromes remain poorly understood
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