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Published on: May 5, 2018
Fetal programming under hyperglycemic stress: The vascular system at risk
1Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Summary
Maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy can lead to lasting vascular dysfunction in offspring. This review explores how high blood sugar in utero impacts fetal development and increases long-term cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Developmental Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Maternal hyperglycemia affects ~19% of pregnancies globally.
- It has known obstetric and neonatal impacts.
- Potential long-term effects on offspring vascular development are under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence linking intrauterine hyperglycemia to persistent offspring vascular dysfunction.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying these long-term effects within the DOHaD framework.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of clinical and experimental data.
- Focus on the utero-fetoplacental interface and offspring vascular phenotypes.
- Consideration of epigenetic modifications.
Main Results:
- Intrauterine hyperglycemia impairs placental development and maternal-fetal exchange.
- Offspring exhibit long-term vascular alterations: endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, altered vascular tone, and increased sympathetic influences.
- Structural remodeling of resistance arteries may contribute to hypertension.
Conclusions:
- Maternal hyperglycemia establishes a molecular memory via epigenetic changes.
- This leads to sustained alterations in offspring vascular structure and function.
- It significantly shapes long-term cardiovascular risk in offspring.
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