Abstract |
Perinatal morbidity and mortality are significantly higher in pregnancies complicated by chronic hypoxia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Clinically, placental insufficiency and IUGR are strongly associated with a fetoplacental inflammatory response. To explore this further, hypoxia was induced in one fetus in twin-bearing pregnant sheep (n=9) by performing single umbilical artery ligation (SUAL) at 110 days gestation. Five ewes were administered the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine (SSZ) daily, beginning 24h before surgery. Fetal blood gases and inflammatory markers were examined. In both SSZ- and placebo-treated ewes, SUAL fetuses were hypoxic and growth-restricted at 1 week (P<0.05). A fetoplacental inflammatory response was observed in SUAL pregnancies, with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, activin A and prostaglandin E(2). SSZ did not mitigate this inflammatory response. It is concluded that SUAL induces fetal hypoxia and a fetoplacental inflammatory response and that SSZ does not improve oxygenation or reduce inflammation. Further studies to explore whether alternative anti-inflammatory treatments may improve IUGR outcomes are warranted.
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Authors | Micka C Bertucci, Jan M Loose, Euan M Wallace, Graham Jenkin, Suzanne L Miller |
Journal | Reproduction, fertility, and development
(Reprod Fertil Dev)
Vol. 23
Issue 2
Pg. 346-52
( 2011)
ISSN: 1031-3613 [Print] Australia |
PMID | 21211468
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
- Interleukin-6
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- activin A
- Activins
- Sulfasalazine
- Dinoprostone
- Oxygen
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Topics |
- Activins
(analysis, blood)
- Amniotic Fluid
(chemistry)
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
(administration & dosage)
- Dinoprostone
(analysis, blood)
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Fetal Blood
(chemistry)
- Fetal Hypoxia
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Inflammation
(prevention & control)
- Interleukin-6
(analysis)
- Ligation
- Oxygen
(blood)
- Pregnancy
- Sheep
- Sulfasalazine
(administration & dosage)
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(analysis)
- Umbilical Arteries
(surgery)
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