Abstract
In a subject homozygous for familial hypercholesterolemia (FHC) placental lipids (PL), enzymes (E), and insulin receptors (IR) were studied to determine if changes in PL were associated with change in E or IR. Levels of FHC placental phospholipids, free fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol esters, and cholesterol were respectively .031, .106, .045, .149, and .044 mg/g placenta, with (X±SD) values in 6 normal placentas being .11±.02, .07±.01, .09±.004, .15±.04,and .13±.03. The FHC placenta had much less phospholipid, triglyceride, and cholesterol and more free fatty acids than normals. Placental palmitic acid in all lipid classes of the FHC was twice that of normals, while FHC placental linoleic acid was increased and arachidonic acid decreased. Marker E content and localization in the FHC placenta was normal. FHC placental alkaline phosphatase, 5′ nucleotidase, Ca++ and Mg++ ATPase, and IR concentrations were normal when compared to 6 normal term placentas. Microvillus brush border membranes were enriched 10-12 fold with marker E, as compared to activities in the whole placental homogenate in FHC and normals. The IR concentration at 12 × 10−10M I-125 insulin in the FHC and normal placentas was 33.7 vs. 37±8.2 × 10−6 nmoles/mg protein respectively, an insignificant difference. Despite changes in placental membrane lipids in the FHC, there were no changes in marker E or IR concentration, implying normal placental function as measured (indirectly) by these parameters, and by the successful butcome of this pregnancy and birth of a healthy obligate heteroygote male neonate.
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Whitsett, J., Russell, P., Glueck, C. et al. 570 PLACENTAL LIPIDS, FATTY ACID COMPOSITION, AND ENZYMES. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 458 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00575
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00575