Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2025

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

11.4K

Leptin deficiency, a potential mechanism for impaired fetal lung development in uteroplacental insufficiency?

Srirupa Hari Gopal1, Roopali Donepudi2, Mohan Pammi3

  • 1Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.

Pediatric Research
|January 24, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI) in rats led to decreased leptin and impaired lung development. Leptin may be crucial for fetal lung growth and respiratory outcomes in growth restriction.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology and developmental origins of health and disease.

Background:

  • Uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI) is a primary cause of fetal growth restriction (FGR).
  • Leptin, an adipokine, is vital for fetal organogenesis and has been found deficient in growth-restricted fetuses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between leptin expression and lung development in a rat model of UPI-induced FGR.
  • To explore associations between lung development, serum leptin, and metabolic markers in FGR.

Main Methods:

  • Induction of UPI in pregnant rats to create an FGR model.
  • Analysis of lung leptin expression, lung morphometry (surface area, volume, radial alveolar count), serum leptin, von Willebrand factor, and metabolomic profiles.

Main Results:

  • UPI-induced FGR rats exhibited significantly decreased lung leptin expression.
  • Impaired lung development was observed in FGR rats, characterized by reduced lung surface area and volume.
  • A significant association was found between lung radial alveolar count, serum leptin, von Willebrand factor, and specific metabolites.

Conclusions:

  • Leptin deficiency and impaired lung development are present in UPI-induced FGR rats.
  • Leptin plays a role in fetal lung growth and development, suggesting potential therapeutic value for respiratory outcomes in FGR.
  • Further human studies are needed to confirm these findings.

More Related Videos

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo12:17

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo

Published on: August 2, 2017

10.7K
Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles05:31

Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles

Published on: January 26, 2024

826

Related Concept Videos

Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
160
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
2.5K
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,...
940