Oxidatively modified LDL particles in the human placenta in early and late onset intrauterine growth restriction

Abstract Introduction Reduced serum LDL concentrations have been observed in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) as compared to healthy pregnant women. Since increased oxidative stress has been suggested to play a major role in IUGR we now hypothesized that the lower LDL concentrations are accompanied by an accumulation of oxidized LDLs in the placenta. Methods Fifteen placentas of near term and preterm born IUGR, and a gestational age matched control group (CTRL n  = 15) were analyzed. Placental minimal modified LDL and fully oxidized LDL particles were measured by ELISA, and by immunohistochemistry, and were related to maternal and fetal serum lipid profiles. Results We found fully oxidized LDL but not minimal modified LDL being increased in the preterm subgroup of IUGR ( n  = 10) as compared to preterm CTRL ( n  = 10; p p n  = 5 each). Correlation analysis revealed an inverse relationship of maternal LDL ( ρ  = −0.49, p  = 0.03) and fetal HDL cholesterol ( ρ  = −0.46, p  = 0.04) with placental fully oxidized LDL particle concentration within preterms. Discussion IUGR is a heterogeneous entity. Different pathomechanisms seem to underlie the disease in preterm and term subjects with oxidation of LDL within the placenta possibly taking place in preterm IUGRs. Conclusions We conclude that the reduced maternal LDL cholesterol concentration in IUGR pregnancies is attributed to increased accumulation of oxidized LDL particles within the placenta at least in early onset IUGR.