The role of 1-Deoxysphingolipids and Polyamines in the pathogenesis of placental syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Placental syndrome, mainly composed of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, has an impact on the health of mother and baby dyads. While impaired placentation is central to their pathophysiology, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study investigates the association between placental syndrome and metabolic alterations in 1-deoxysphingolipids (1-deoxySLs) and polyamines, along with their regulatory enzymes.

METHODS

This prospective case-control study involved 26 healthy pregnant women and 17 with placental syndrome. Blood samples were collected from maternal, uterine venous, and umbilical cord veins. Levels of 1-deoxySL, spermine, and spermidine, as well as related enzymes of polyamine metabolism such as ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT), polyamine oxidase (PAO), and spermine oxidase (SMO), were measured using the techniques of LC-MS and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTS

Women with placental syndrome had significantly higher levels of 1-deoxySL, spermine, and spermidine in all blood samples compared to the healthy pregnancy group. Additionally, ODC and SSAT levels were reduced significantly in the placental syndrome group, while PAO and SMO levels showed no significant differences. Strong positive correlations were found between the studied enzymes and biomolecules in healthy pregnancies, which were notably weaker in the placental syndrome group.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates significantly altered levels of 1-deoxySL and polyamines, with corresponding enzyme activity changes, in placental syndrome compared to healthy pregnancies. The disrupted correlations between these biomolecules suggest alterations in their metabolic pathways and potential utility as biomarkers. Further mechanistic studies are warranted to elucidate their role in placental syndrome pathophysiology.