Submitted by MARIANA PINTO SIRIMARCO null (mpsirimarco@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-04-08T03:04:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 VERSÃO FINAL 2 08-04.pdf: 1774461 bytes, checksum: 13e24ee503bed7a9ca8d50a2f58cd2aa (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-04-08T16:39:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 sirimarco_mp_me_bot.pdf: 1774461 bytes, checksum: 13e24ee503bed7a9ca8d50a2f58cd2aa (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-08T16:39:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 sirimarco_mp_me_bot.pdf: 1774461 bytes, checksum: 13e24ee503bed7a9ca8d50a2f58cd2aa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / JUSTIFICATIVA – desde agosto de 2011 o Serviço Especializado de Diabetes e Gravidez da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu/Unesp (SEDG-FMB/Unesp) adotou o novo protocolo diagnóstico para o DMG recomendado pela ADA/IADPSG. Entretanto, o Perfil Glicêmico (PG) continuou associado ao TOTG 75g, para diagnosticar a Hiperglicemia Gestacional Leve (HGL), reconhecida e tratada em nosso Serviço como se fosse DMG. A controvérsia sobre o custo-benefício do novo protocolo da ADA/IADPSG e a dúvida sobre a necessidade de manutenção do PG no protocolo do Serviço justificam o presente estudo. OBJETIVOS – avaliar o impacto do novo protocolo da ADA/IADPSG na prevalência de HGL e de DMG, na ocorrência de resultados perinatais adversos (RPNA) e na associação TOTG 75g e PG para diagnóstico de HGL no SEDG-FMB/Unesp. MÉTODO – estudo de corte transversal, incluindo gestantes, e seus recém-nascidos (RN), submetidas aos protocolos diagnósticos e que realizaram pré-natal e parto no Serviço, antes (janeiro de 2008 a 14 de agosto de 2011) e após (15 de agosto de 2011 a dezembro de 2014) à mudança do protocolo, definindo uma amostra por conveniência. Considerando os dois períodos, foram comparadas a prevalência de DMG e de HGL e a ocorrência de RN-GIG, macrossomia, primeira cesárea e tempo de internação dos RN. Na análise estatística foram utilizados análise de Poison e teste t-Student, teste do Qui-quadrado ou Exato de Fischer e cálculo de risco (RR e IC 95%) para os desfechos avaliados. O limite de significância estatística foi de 95% (p < 0,05). RESULTADOS – o NOVO protocolo resultou em aumento no número de mulheres com DMG e deixou de identificar 17,3% do total de gestantes, que mantiveram o diagnóstico de HGL, apesar do TOTG 75g normal. O novo protocolo ADA/IADPSG não influenciou o desfecho perinatal. CONCLUSÕES – esses resultados reforçam a validade da manutenção do PG no protocolo diagnóstico do SEDG-FMB/Unesp. Para concluir sobre o custo-benefício do NOVO protocolo, são necessários grandes estudos, multicêntricos e com tamanho amostral adequado. / BACKGROUND - since August 2011 the Specialized Center of Diabetes and Pregnancy of the Botucatu Medical School / Unesp (SEDG-FMB / Unesp) has adopted a new diagnostic protocol for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) recommended by the ADA / IADPSG guidelines. However, the glycemic profile (GP) remained associated with the 75g OGTT to diagnose Mild Gestational Hyperglycemia Lite (MGH), recognized and treated in our department as if it were GDM. The controversy over the cost-effectiveness of the new ADA / IADPSG guideline and doubt about the need for GP maintenance in the service protocol justify this study. OBJECTIVES - To assess the impact of the new ADA / IADPSG guideline in the prevalence of MGH and GDM, in the incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes (APNO) and in the association 75g OGTT and PG for diagnosis of MGH at the SEDG-FMB / Unesp. METHOD - cross-sectional study, including pregnant women and their newborns (NB) that underwent diagnostic protocols and had their prenatal care and delivery at the service before (January 2008 to August 14, 2011) and after (15 August 2011 to December 2014) the protocol modification, defining a convenience sample. Considering the two periods, the prevalence of GDM and MGH and the occurrence of LGA-NB, macrosomia, first cesarean delivery and NB hospital stay were compared. For statistical analysis, Poison analysis and Student's t test, chi-square or Fisher's exact test were used and risk estimate (RR and 95% CI) for the assessed outcomes. The statistical significance threshold was 95% (p <0.05). RESULTS - The new protocol resulted in a increase in the number of women with GDM, but failed to identify 17.3% of pregnant women who maintained the diagnosis of MGH, despite normal 75g OGTT. The new ADA / IADPSG guideline did not influence the perinatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS - These results reinforce the validity of maintaining the GP in the diagnosis protocol at the SEDG-FMB / Unesp. To conclude on the cost-effective of the new protocol, large multicenter studies with adequate sample size are required

Introduction: The measurement of placental thickness can constitute an important clinical marker for newborns prediction affected by the restriction of uteroplacental blood flow. With a simple and inexpensive technique after birth, and with ultrasonographic findings obtained previously during pregnancy, it adds up an inexpensive and effective method in perinatal propaedeutics, adding greater security in the management of these high-pregnant women risk suffering from hypertension, diabetes mellitus and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Objectives: To study the placental thickness in low-risk pregnant women and women with hypertensive syndromes of pregnancies, IUGR and diabetes mellitus; search for possible associations between placental thickness diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography and immediately after birth; seek possible association between placental thickness and perinatal outcomes. Methodology: Cross-sectional, prospective, observational study of a group of pregnant women with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and intrauterine growth restriction to be compared to a control group. Such a study was carried out between the months of October 2013 and February 2015. The first group consisted of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus, the second group consisted of pregnant women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, the third group consisted of pregnant women with IUGR and the fourth group, of low-risk pregnant women. During the hospitalization of the patient, six measures of placental thickness were performed by ultrasound examination. The placentas were examined macroscopically right after birth, to evaluated the placental thickness, performing five cuts transversely. With a total of six slices, the thickness measurement was performed with a digital equipment at the center point of each slice. Results: Total sample of this study consisted of 83 patients, 30 healthy patients with low-risk pregnancy, 20 women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 17 with diabetes and 16 women with intrauterine growth restriction, and of these, eight had also pre-eclampsia associated with. Evaluating the correlation between measures of placental thickness of each slice, mesuared by ultrasound and macroscopic examination, there was a significant but weak correlation between the first (r = 0,26; p = 0,02) and sixth (r = 0,28; p<0,01) slices and a significant and moderate correlation between the third (r = 0,33; p = 0,02), fourth (r = 0,41; p<0,0001) and fifth (r = 0,38; p<0,0001) slices. As to the correlation between the average thickness at the macroscopic to the average thickness at ultrasound, separeted by groups, there was a significant correlation in the IUGR group (r = 0,60; p<0,05). Conclusions: measures of placental thickness evaluated by antepartum ultrasound and macroscopic examination of the placenta after birth, have a positive and significant correlation, regardless of the diseases of pregnant women prior or during pregnancy; there was no correlation between the average thickness of the placenta in postpartum measures with the average thickness of the antepartum ultrasound measures in groups of BXR, SHG and DM, but there was moderate correlation in the IUGR group; the division of the placenta into slices both ultrasound examination as at the macroscopic examination after delivery showed a low but significant correlation between the third slices and a positive and significant correlation between the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth slices between the methods of measurement. There was no correlation between the measurements of placental thickness antenatal or postnatal with perinatal outcomes. By the findings of this study, it is recommended that the placental thickness measurement by ultrasound should be performed in the center of the placental disk, corresponding to the third or fourth slice. / Introdução: A medida da espessura placentária pode se constituir em um marcador clínico importante para a predição de recém-nascidos afetados pela restrição de fluxo sanguíneo uteroplacentário. Com estabelecimento de técnica simples e barata, após o nascimento, e de posse de resultados ultrassonográficos obtidos previamente durante a gestação, acrescenta-se mais um método de baixo custo e eficácia preditiva acurada na propedêutica perinatal, adicionando maior segurança no manejo destas gestantes de alto risco portadoras de doença hipertensiva, diabetes melito e crescimento intrauterino restrito (CIUR). Objetivos: Estudar a espessura placentária em gestantes de baixo risco e portadoras de Síndromes Hipertensivas da Gestações, CIUR e Diabetes melito; buscar possíveis associações entre a espessura placentária diagnosticada ao exame ultrassonográfico pré-natal e imediatamente após o nascimento; buscar possível associação entre a espessura placentária e desfechos perinatais. Metodologia: Estudo transversal, prospectivo e observacional de um grupo de gestantes portadoras de doença hipertensiva, diabetes melito e crescimento intrauterino restrito que foi comparado a um grupo controle. Tal estudo foi desenvolvido entre os meses de outubro de 2013 e fevereiro de 2015. O primeiro grupo foi constituído de gestantes portadoras de diabetes mellitus gestacional, o segundo grupo, foi constituído de gestantes portadoras de síndromes hipertensivas da gestação, o terceiro grupo foi constituído por gestantes portadoras de CIUR e, o quarto grupo, por gestantes de baixo risco. Durante a internação hospitalar da parturiente foram realizadas seis medidas de espessura placentária pelo exame de ultrassonografia. As placentas foram examinadas macroscopicamente logo após o nascimento sendo avaliada a espessura placentária, realizando-se cinco cortes no sentido transversal da placenta. Com um total de seis fatias, a medida da espessura foi realizada com um especímetro digital no ponto central de cada fatia. Resultados: amostra total deste estudo foi constituída por 82 pacientes, sendo 29 pacientes hígidas, com gestação de baixo risco, 20 portadoras de síndromes hipertensivas da gestação, 17 portadoras de diabetes melito e 16 portadoras de crescimento intrauterino restrito, sendo que dessas, 8 apresentavam, também, PE associada. Quando se buscou a correlação entre as medidas das espessuras placentárias de cada fatia, avaliadas pela ecografia e macroscopia, houve correlação fraca porém significante entre as primeiras (r = 0,26; p = 0,02) e sextas fatias (r = 0,28; p<0,01) e correlação moderada e significante entre as terceiras (r = 0,33; p = 0,02), quartas (r = 0,41; p<0,0001) e quintas (r = 0,38; p<0,0001) fatias. Quando buscou-se a correlação entre a espessura média na macroscopia com a espessura média na ecografia, por grupos de estudo, observou-se correlação moderada e significante no grupo de crescimento restrito (r = 0,60; p<0,05). Conclusões: as medidas da espessura placentária avaliadas pela ultrassonografia anteparto e ao exame macroscópico da placenta após o nascimento, possuem uma correlação positiva e significante, independente de as gestantes serem ou não portadoras de patologias prévias ou durante a gravidez; não houve correlação entre a espessura média da placenta na macroscopia pós-parto com a espessura média à ecografia nos grupos de BXR, SHG e DM, porém houve correlação moderada no grupo de CIUR; a divisão da placenta em fatias tanto no exame de ultrassonografia como no exame macroscópico após o parto mostrou uma correlação positiva e significante entre as primeiras, terceiras, quartas, quintas e sextas fatias, entre os métodos de medida; não houve correlação entre as medidas da espessura placentária antenatal e pós-natal com as diversas variáveis perinatais. Pelos achados do presente estudo, recomenda-se que de forma sistemática a medida da espessura placentária pela ultrassonografia seja realizada no centro do disco placentário, ou seja, na terceira ou quarta fatia.

Le tissu adipeux sous-cutané (TAsc) est le site préférentiel du stockage postprandial des triglycérides (TG). Quand les capacités d’accrétion sont dépassées, le stockage des TG se fait dans des sites ectopiques du TA et dans des tissus non adipocytaires, par exemple foie et muscles, ce qui entraine de multiples dysfonctionnements dans ces organes et tissus, et permet le développement du syndrome d’insulinorésistance. Chez les sujets obèses, la période postprandiale est caractérisée par des anomalies métaboliques, immunitaires, hormonales, et également par une diminution importante du flot sanguin dans le tissu adipeux (FSTA) sous-cutané. Ce blocage de la perfusion postprandiale du TA a aussi été montrée chez des individus minces qui avaient de très lourds antécédents familiaux de maladies cardiométabolique (obésité, diabète de type 2, maladies cardiovasculaires). Dans cette thèse, on classifiera ces individus comme « non-répondeurs ». À ce jour, peu d’attention a été accordée à ce phénomène. L’hypothèse qui sous-tend cette thèse est que les anomalies du FSTA sont innées ou primaires et sont impliquées très tôt dans le développement de la résistance à l’insuline (RI), du diabète de type 2 et du syndrome métabolique. Le but de notre recherche était donc de vérifier si les altérations du FSTA sont présentes chez les personnes saines et minces, mais à très haut risque de développer une RI ou une maladie cardiométabolique. Nous avons aussi cherché à déterminer les facteurs liés à la non-réponse. Pour cela il nous a fallu explorer certains facteurs hormonaux impliqués dans la régulation du FSTA. Nos résultats montrent que le FSTA est très diminué, à jeun et en postprandial, chez les sujets à haut risque de maladies cardiométaboliques mais encore minces et métaboliquement sains, sans RI. Nous avons aussi montré, pour la première fois, l’effet vasodilatateur du peptide intestinal vasoactif (VIP) dans le TAsc, tout comme le rôle stimulant du système cholinergique dans la régulation postprandiale du FSTA. Cependant, aucun de ces facteurs ne participe au dysfonctionnement du FSTA postprandial chez les non-répondeurs. Des taux répétés de TG plus élevés chez les non-répondeurs et l’association du FSTA avec certains indices de la RI décrits dans la littérature suggèrent que l’altération du métabolisme lipidique suite à la diminution du FSTA puisse servir de médiateur à la détérioration de la sensibilité à l’insuline. / Abstract : Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) is the preferential site of triacylglycerols (TAG) postprandial disposal. When the buffering capacity of SCAT for lipids is exceeded, TAG are disposed in ectopic adipose tissue depots and in non-adipose tissues, such as liver and muscles. Consequently, multiple dysfunctions of these organs and tissues develop including insulin resistance (IR). In obese people, the postprandial period is characterized by metabolic, immune and hormonal alterations, but also by severely altered adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF). Nevertheless, significant alteration of postprandial ATBF was also found in lean individuals with highly positive familiar history of cardiometabolic diseases (obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases). In the thesis, we term them as "non-responders". Up to date, little attention has been payed to this phenomenon. The underlying hypothesis of this thesis is that alterations in ATBF are inborne or very early and that they participate on the development of IR, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Consequently, the aim of our research was to verify if the alterations in ATBF are present in healthy, normal-weight subjects, but at very high risk for development of IR or cardiometabolic diseases. Simultaneously, we searched for factors linked with nonresponsiveness phenomenon. To do this, we examined some hormonal factors in ATBF regulation. Our results confirm the presence of altered fasting and postprandial ATBF in at highrisk subjects for cardiometabolic diseases, but still lean and metabolically healthy, without IR. For the first time, we have also demonstrated the role of cholinergic system in postprandial ATBF regulation, and vasodilatory effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in SCAT. However, none of these factors takes part in postprandial ATBF dysfunction in non-responders. Higher TAG levels repeatedly found in non-responders and the association of ATBF with some indices of insulin sensitivity described in the literature suggest that alteration of lipid metabolism as a result of low ATBF may mediate deterioration of insulin sensitivity.

Le diabète gestationnel (DG) est un trouble de la tolérance glucidique de gravité variable, survenant ou diagnostiqué pour la première fois pendant la grossesse, quel que soit le traitement nécessaire et son évolution après l’accouchement. Il est associé, à court et à long terme, à un ensemble de complications ou pathologies tant chez la mère que chez l’enfant. Nous avons étudié le rôle des cytokines, des adipokines, du statut anti-oxydant et des facteurs de croissance au cours du diabète gestationnel et de la macrosomie. Notre étude a montré que le diabète gestationnel et la macrosomie sont associés à une perturbation du métabolisme lipidique et une altération des statuts antioxydant et immunitaire. Le DG était lié à une diminution de l’adiponectine et des cytokines Th1 et une augmentation de la leptine et des cytokines inflammatoires alors que la macrosomie est associée à une augmentation des cytokines Th1 et une diminution de toutes ces hormones relatives à l’obésité (IL-6, TNF-α, leptine et adiponectine). Plusieurs altérations observées à la naissance dans le métabolisme des carbohydrates et des lipides chez les enfants issus de mères diabétiques persistent encore à l’âge adulte. Il semble que la programmation in utero au cours du diabète gestationnel crée une ‘‘mémoire métabolique’’ qui est responsable de l’obésité et des altérations chez les nouveau-nés macrosomiques. Selon les régressions linéaires multiples incrémentielles que nous avons établies, il semble que les facteurs de croissance qui influencent l’augmentation du poids fœtal sont : PDGF du côté maternel et FGF2 des deux côté maternel et fœtal. / Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as ‘carbohydrate intolerance of variable severity with onset or first recognition during pregnancy’, irrespective to necessary treatment and its evolution in the post partum. GDM is associated with a number of complications/ pathologies both in mother and in their newborns, with short and long-term. In this study, we investigated the role of cytokines, adipokines and antioxidant status during GDM and macrosomia. Our study has demonstrated that these pathologies are associated with a perturbation in lipid metabolism, and antioxidant and immune status. GDM is linked to the down-regulation of adiponectin along with Th1 cytokines and upregulation of leptin and inflammatory cytokines whereas macrosomia was associated with the up-regulation of Th1 cytokines and the down-regulation of the obesity-related agents (IL-6, TNF-α, leptin and adiponectin). Several alterations observed at birth in carbohydrates and lipids metabolism in the children born to diabetic mothers, still persist at the adulthood. It seems that in utero programming during diabetic pregnancy creates a ‘‘metabolic memory’’ which is responsible for the development of obesity and physiological anomalies in macrosomic offspring. According to multiple linear regressions incremental that we established, it appears that growth factors that influence the increase of foetal weight are: PDGF in mother's side and FGF2 in maternal and foetal side.

Abstract Background: Gestational diabetes is both physical and psychological for women. A lot of women is lacking knowledge about living with gestational diabetes. The incidence of gestational diabetes in the year of 2016 is 1,6 % of all pregnancies in Sweden and the incidence is increasing. Aim: To describe women´s experience of developed gestational diabetes and living with it. Method: A qualitative method with inductive approach and based on four individual interviews has been done. Data were analysed by latent content analysis. Findings: All women were satisfied about the care they have got. Lack of knowledge about the connection between pregnancy and gestational diabetes perceived from the midwife, but the nurse of diabetes perceived to have knowledge. The information of gestational diabetes was associated with shock, fear and shameless. Almost all women experience dietary changes and increased demands physical activity as demanding which meant a limitation for the women, but the lifestyle of changes led to a healthier life and it`s become estimated positive. To avoid insulin treatment during pregnancy was a goal which turned out to be a positive drift. Conclusion: The results of the study can contribute to increased knowledge about the woman's experience of developing gestational diabetes. Increased knowledge about gestational diabetes alleviates will relieves worry fort the woman and all the support from the surrounding people to the women and also the health professionals is very important for the women`s feel good during the pregnancy with gestational diabetes.

L’asthme est une maladie respiratoire chronique fréquente pendant la grossesse avec une prévalence de 8 %. Il a été démontré que l’asthme maternel augmente le risque de diabète gestationnel (DG), mais il y a peu d’évidences sur l’impact des médicaments antiasthmatiques d’entretien sur le risque de cette complication de grossesse. Un projet de recherche a été développé afin d’évaluer si le risque de DG est associé à la dose de corticostéroïdes inhalés (CSI) ou l’utilisation de β2-agonistes à longue durée d’action (BALA) chez les femmes enceintes asthmatiques. Pour ce faire, nous avons utilisé un devis cas-témoins niché dans une cohorte de grossesses de femmes asthmatiques qui ont accouché entre 1998 et 2010 reconstruite à partir de deux banques de données administratives de la province de Québec (Canada) : Maintenance et exploitation des données pour l’étude de la clientèle hospitalière (MED-ECHO) et Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Le DG était défini par au moins un diagnostic de diabète gestationnel ou mellitus ou une ordonnance remplie d’un médicament antidiabétique après la 20e semaine de grossesse. Chaque cas était apparié à 30 témoins selon l’année calendrier et l’âge gestationnel. Des modèles d’équations d’estimation généralisées ont été utilisés pour estimer les rapports de cotes (aOR) et les intervalles de confiance à 95 % (IC 95 %) de DG ajustés pour la sévérité et la maîtrise de l’asthme et d’autres facteurs de risque de DG. L’association entre le DG et la dose de CSI a été estimé parmi les femmes non exposées aux BALA tandis que l’association avec les BALA a été estimée parmi les femmes exposées aux CSI à la date de survenue de l’issue pour les cas et à la date de sélection pour les témoins. Dans la cohorte de 12 587 grossesses de femmes asthmatiques, 1001 cas de DG (8 %) ont été identifiés. Nous n’avons observé aucun risque accru de DG avec une augmentation des doses de CSI parmi les non-utilisatrices de BALA avec des aOR (IC 95 %) de 0,95 (0,74-1,23) pour les faibles doses (<251 μg en équivalence de fluticasone), 1,14 (0,80-1,64) pour les moyennes doses (251 à 500 μg) et 1,13 (0,71-1,81 pour les hautes doses (>500 μg) de CSI. De plus, le risque de DG n’était pas plus élevé quand un BALA était ajouté à un CSI (aOR=0,99; IC 95 % : 0,69-1,44). Nos résultats ajoutent de l’évidence concernant l’innocuité des BALA et des doses de CSI pendant la grossesse, mais de plus amples études sont nécessaires pour examiner les associations potentielles entre les plus hautes doses de CSI et le risque de DG. / Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that is frequent in pregnancy with a prevalence of 8%. Maternal asthma is known to increase the risk of gestational diabetes (GD), but the evidence is scarce regarding the impact of asthma controller medications on the risk of this pregnancy complication. A research study was developed to evaluate whether the risk of GD is associated with the dose of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) or the use of long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) in pregnant women with asthma. To achieve our goals, we used a case-control design nested within a cohort of pregnancies from asthmatic women who delivered between 1998 and 2010 reconstructed from the linkage of two administrative databases from the province of Québec (Canada): Maintenance et exploitation des données pour l’étude de la clientèle hospitalière (MED-ECHO) and Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). GD was defined as at least one recorded diagnosis of gestational or chronic diabetes or a prescription for an antidiabetic medication filled after week 20 of gestation. Each case was matched to 30 controls according to calendar year and gestational age. Generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of GD adjusted for asthma severity and control and other risk factors of GD. The association between GD and ICS doses was estimated among women unexposed to LABA, while the association with LABA was estimated among women exposed to ICS at the date of the outcome for cases and the date of selection for controls. The cohort included 12 587 pregnancies from asthmatic woman and 1001 cases of GD (8.0%) were identified. The risk of GD showed no trend towards a higher risk with increasing dose of ICS among non-users of LABA with aOR (95% CI) of 0.95 (0.74 to 1.23) for low doses (<251 μg in fluticasone propionate equivalents), 1.14 (0.80 to 1.64) for medium doses (251 to 500 μg), and 1.13 (0.71 to 1.81) for high doses (>500 µg) of ICS. Moreover, the risk did not increase when LABA was added to an ICS (aOR=0.99; 95% CI: 0.69 to 1.44). Our results provide further evidence for the safety of LABA and ICS doses during pregnancy, but more studies are needed to examine the potential association between higher ICS doses and the risk of GD.

The increasing demand on healthcare from pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes (GDM) and obesity is caused in large part by fetal macrosomia (FM). Alterations to the vasculature of the placenta leading to changes to nutrient flux may be more frequent when GDM and obesity occur concomitantly. However, the impact of obesity as an independent comorbidity is poorly understood. The current study sought to characterise structural and functional changes in placenta from pregnancies complicated by GDM and/or obesity and examine the involvement of miRs in this phenomenon, as the phenotype of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) has been documented to be influenced by microRNA (miR) expression. Patients were stratified according to the presence or absence of GDM and/or obesity, which resulted in four groups. Morphometric analysis of CD31 immuno-stained placentas showed that pregnancies complicated by GDM or obesity both had a higher mean sum ratio of the area of the lumen compared to the endothelium. No relationship was found with FM. The ratio increased with maternal body mass index (BMI) in all pregnancies. Immunohistochemistry with a panel of VSM markers suggested an altered phenotype of VSM in pregnancies complicated by GDM and/or obesity. RT-QPCR and immunoblotting showed a higher expression of smooth muscle myosin (SM-MHC), h-caldesmon (HC) and alpha smooth muscle actin (ASMA) in pregnancies complicated by obesity, consistent with a greater contractile capacity. This was most marked when obesity occurred without GDM.Studies were conducted on two miRs, miR-145, which is associated with VSM in many vascular tissues, and the snoRNA-derived species miR-664a-3p, which microarray studies had shown to be higher in placentas from pregnancies complicated by GDM. Dicer and dyskerin, components of the snoRNA-derived miR biogenesis pathway, were increased and reduced respectively in GDM placenta. However, studies in cultured placental villous explants suggested that neither miR species was regulated by glucose, insulin or IGF-I. Placental mesenchymal cells are the developmental precursors of VSM. In primary culture, these cells expressed both miRs. To determine the function of miR-664a-3p, a nucleofection protocol was developed in a fetal mesenchymal cell line, WI38, and applied to first-trimester placental mesenchymal cells. Preliminary proteomic analysis after nucleofection-mediated knockdown of miR-664a-3p suggested a series of novel candidate target proteins for this uncharacterised miR species. Blood vessel structure and VSM phenotype are both altered in pregnancies complicated by GDM and/or obesity. The significance of apparently higher level of contractile proteins with wider vessel lumens in obesity requires further investigation. Translational regulation by miRs including miR-145 and miR-664a-3p is implicated in these alterations. In future, targeted therapies that alter miR levels in the placenta may be useful in control of fetal overgrowth such as FM.

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Pregnancy induces maternal metabolic adaptations including mild glucose intolerance and weight gain in order to support fetal development and lactation. Adipose tissue (AT) function in gestation is featured by reduced insulin sensitivity and fat mass accrual which partly accounts for the weight gain in pregnant women and adaptation of glucose metabolism. A common metabolic pregnancy complication is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a disease characterized by impaired glucose tolerance with onset in gestation. However, the relationship between AT expandability and glucose metabolism in gestation is not well understood. The goal of this thesis was to investigate the adaptations of human AT expansion induced by pregnancy, how these changes are reflected in pregnancies complicated with GDM and characterize a mouse model to study the mechanisms underlying this disease. This dissertation illustrates that pregnancy promotes AT expandability by a signaling mechanism between placental pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and AT- insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 (IGFBP5). In addition, gravidas with GDM showed impaired AT expansion. Studies investigating the relationship between PAPP-A and glycemic state demonstrated that low levels of PAPP-A in the 1sttrimester are highly associated with the development of GDM. Moreover, PAPP-A knockout mice exhibit reduced insulin sensitivity and impaired AT growth exclusively in gestation. These results expand the knowledge of AT biology in gestation and have the potential to improve maternal care by proposing PAPP-A as an early biomarker and possible therapeutic for GDM. It also introduces a new mouse model to study the etiology of gestational diabetes.

Adipositas und die damit verbundenen Begleiterkrankungen zeigen einen deutlichen Anstieg der Prävalenz in der Bevölkerung. Auch für die Schwangerschaft gilt starkes Übergewicht als Risikofaktor für metabolische und vaskuläre Komplikationen wie Gestationsdiabetes mellitus (GDM) und Präeklampsie (PE). In den letzten 20 Jahren wurde eindrücklich nachgewiesen, dass eine Dysregulation von Fettzell-sezernierten Proteinen, sogenannten Adipokinen, ursächlich zu GDM und PE beitragen könnte. Zu Beginn der Dissertation lagen jedoch nur unzureichende Daten über die Regulation des Insulinresistenz-induzierenden, anti-adipogenen und anti-angiogenen Adipokins Preadipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1) bei GDM und PE vor. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht daher die Regulation von zirkulierendem Pref-1 bei GDM und PE sowie seine Expression in der Plazenta. Bei 74 Patientinnen mit GDM konnte kein signifikanter Unterschied der Pref-1 Konzentrationen (0.40 µg/l) verglichen zu 74 Gesunden (0.42 µg/l) (p = 0.655) festgestellt werden (Wurst U et al., Cytokine 2015; 71: 161–164). Es zeigte sich in der Kohorte eine unabhängige Assoziation zwischen Pref-1 und Schwangerschaftsalter bei der Blutentnahme, Triglyzeriden, Kreatinin, Body Mass Index und C reaktivem Protein (p < 0.05). In einer Studienkohorte von 51 Schwangeren mit PE wurden signifikant niedrigere Serumspiegel von Pref-1 (0.49 µg/l) im Vergleich zu 51 gesunden Schwangeren (0.68 µg/l) (p < 0.001) gemessen (Schrey S, Wurst U, et al., Cytokine 2015; 75: 338–343). In der multiplen Regressionsanalyse waren PE, Schwangerschaftsalter zum Zeitpunkt der Blutentnahme sowie zirkulierendes Leptin unabhängige Prädiktoren für Pref-1. Im peripartalen Zeitraum zeigte sich ein akuter und deutlicher Abfall von zirkulierendem Pref-1 im mütterlichen Blut und das Adipokin wurde immunhistochemisch im Plazentagewebe nachgewiesen. Die Daten dieser Studien sind vereinbar mit den Hypothesen, dass Pref-1 mit fortschreitender Schwangerschaft zunehmend produziert wird, die Plazenta zur Sekretion des Adipokins aktiv beiträgt sowie das Adipokin bei PE dysreguliert ist. Weiterführende Untersuchungen im Tiermodell sowie prospektive Studien sind notwendig, um die Signifikanz von Pref-1 bei GDM und PE näher zu untersuchen.