Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 10, 2025

A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta
11:44

A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta

Published on: September 27, 2017

11.6K

PPARγ-A Factor Linking Metabolically Unhealthy Obesity with Placental Pathologies

Sebastian Kwiatkowski1, Anna Kajdy2, Katarzyna Stefańska3

  • 1Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Obesity contributes to preeclampsia by affecting both adipose tissue and placental development. Aberrantly low activity of the master adipogenesis regulator PPARγ is a common link between these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Obesity is a global health concern with significant mortality implications.
  • Overweight and obesity rates are increasing, particularly in Europe, affecting women of reproductive age.
  • Obesity is a known risk factor for placental development disorders, including preeclampsia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the link between adipose tissue pathologies and aberrant placental development in preeclampsia.
  • To identify common molecular mechanisms, such as PPARγ activity, shared by obesity and preeclampsia.
  • To provide insights for the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia in obese pregnant women.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature linking obesity, adipose tissue, placental development, and preeclampsia.
  • Analysis of the role of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in adipogenesis and placental function.
  • Examination of epidemiological data on obesity prevalence in Europe and its impact on pregnancy.

Main Results:

  • Adipose tissue pathologies associated with obesity are linked to aberrant placental development.
  • Reduced activity of PPARγ, a key regulator of adipogenesis, is implicated in both obesity and placental pathologies.
  • Obesity significantly increases the risk of preeclampsia due to impaired placental development.

Conclusions:

  • Shared mechanisms between obesity and preeclampsia, particularly involving PPARγ, offer potential therapeutic targets.
  • Understanding these links can aid in the prevention and management of preeclampsia in obese pregnancies.
  • Health education emphasizing diet and physical activity is crucial for mitigating risks associated with obesity in pregnancy.

Keywords:
PPARγmetabolically unhealthy obesityobesitypreeclampsia

More Related Videos

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies14:56

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies

Published on: May 6, 2022

4.7K
Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis08:34

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Published on: June 3, 2016

15.3K

Related Concept Videos

Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
683
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
15
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
1.8K
Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
14.2K
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation01:29

Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation

Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
732
Overview of Lipid Metabolism01:24

Overview of Lipid Metabolism

Lipid metabolism is a crucial process in the human body that involves the synthesis and degradation of lipids. This process is essential for energy production, cell membrane formation, and hormone production, among other functions.
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...
2.9K