1 Modulation of Fatty Acid Transport and Metabolism by Obesity in the Human Full-Term

The knowledge on the consequences of maternal obesity on human placental fatty acids (FA) transport and metabolism is limited. Animal studies suggest that placental uptake of maternal FA is altered by maternal overnutrition. We hypothesized that high maternal body mass index (BMI) affects human placental FA transport by modifying expression of key transporters. Full-term placentas were obtained by vaginal delivery from normal weight (18.5<BMI<24.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI>30 kg/m2) women. Blood samples were collected from the mother at each trimester and from the cord blood at delivery. mRNA and protein expression was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and Western Blot. LPL activity was evaluated by enzyme-fluorescence. In vitro linoleic acid transport was studied with isolated trophoblasts. Our results demonstrate that maternal obesity is associated with increased placental weight, decreased gestational age, decreased maternal HDL levels during the 1st and 3rd trimester, increased maternal triglycerides levels during the 2nd and 3rd trimester, increased maternal T3 levels during all trimesters, decreased maternal cholesterol (CHOL) and LDL levels during the 3rd trimester, increased newborn CHOL, LDL, ApoB100 and T3 levels. Placental increased CD36 mRNA and protein expression