Uterine artery notch is associated with increased placental endothelial nitric oxide synthase and heat shock protein

Abstract

Objective. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether uterine artery notch is associated with placental expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), and Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (Lox) in pregnant women.

Study design. Uterine artery Doppler was performed in 30 pregnant women divided into two groups with or without the presence of uterine artery notches. After delivery, placental expression of eNOS, Hsp70, and Lox were evaluated with western blot analysis.

Results. Higher levels of placental eNOS (p = 0.02) and Hsp70 (p = 0.001) were expressed in the group with uterine artery notch compared with the group without uterine artery notch. There was no significant difference for placental Lox expression between group with uterine artery notch and without uterine artery notch (p = 0.17).

Conclusion. Our results suggest that uterine artery notch is associated with increased placental expression of eNOS and Hsp in pregnant women.

Keywords:

• Uterine artery notch
• endothelial nitric oxide synthase
• heat shock protein
• lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Research Foundation Grant funded by the Korean Medical Women's Association.