Fetal undernutrition modifies vascular RAS balance enhancing oxidative damage and contributing to remodeling

Fetal stress is known to increase susceptibility to cardiometabolic diseases and hypertension in adult age in a process known as fetal programming. This study investigated the relationship between vascular RAS, oxidative damage and remodeling in fetal programming. Six-month old Sprague-Dawley offspr...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Vieira Rocha, Maria Sofia, Rodríguez Rodríguez, Pilar, Ferreira Duarte, Mariana, Faria, Miguel, Sousa, Joana Beatriz, Morato, Manuela, Arribas Rodríguez, Silvia Magdalena, Diniz, Carmen
Format: article
Publication Date:2022
Country:España
Institution:Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Repository:Biblos-e Archivo. Repositorio Institucional de la UAM
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.uam.es:10486/711435
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10486/711435
https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031233
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:fetal programming of hypertension
renin-angiotensin system
RAS receptors
ACE
ACE2
vascular remodeling
fibrosis
fetal undernutrition
Medicina
Description
Summary:Fetal stress is known to increase susceptibility to cardiometabolic diseases and hypertension in adult age in a process known as fetal programming. This study investigated the relationship between vascular RAS, oxidative damage and remodeling in fetal programming. Six-month old Sprague-Dawley offspring from mothers that were fed ad libitum (CONTROL) or with 50% intake during the second half of gestation (maternal undernutrition, MUN) were used. qPCR or immunohistochemistry were used to obtain the expression of receptors and enzymes. Plasma levels of carbonyls were measured by spectrophotometry. In mesenteric arteries from MUN rats we detected an upregulation of ACE, ACE2, AT1 receptors and NADPH oxidase, and lower expression of AT2, Mas and MrgD receptors compared to CONTROL. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and plasma levels of carbonyls were higher in MUN than in CONTROL. Vascular morphology evidenced an increased media/lumen ratio and adventitia/lumen ratio, and more connective tissue in MUN compared to CONTROL. In conclusion, fetal undernutrition indices RAS alterations and oxidative damage which may contribute to the remodeling of mesenteric arteries, and increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events and hypertension