Placental endothelial nitric oxide synthase in multiple and single dose betamethasone exposed pregnancies.

Authors

• Heather L Mertz
• Lisa Mele
• Catherine Y Spong
• Donald J Dudley
• Ronald J Wapner
• Jay D Iams
• Yoram Sorokin
• Alan Peaceman
• Kenneth J Leveno
• Steve N Caritis
• Menachem Miodovnik
• Brian M Mercer
• John M Thorp
• Mary J O'Sullivan
• Susan M Ramin
• Marshall Carpenter
• Dwight J Rouse
• Baha Sibai

Publication/Presentation Date

6-1-2011

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and capillary density (CDS) in placentas exposed to single or multiple courses of betamethasone.

STUDY DESIGN: Placental specimens exposed to single vs repeat courses of betamethasone were analyzed through immunohistochemistry and digital image quantification for endothelial nitric oxide synthase and CD34. Quantified endothelial nitric oxide synthase staining, calculated capillary density, ratio of endothelial nitric oxide synthase to capillary density, and clinical characteristics were compared. Linear regression was performed with these as dependent variables.

RESULTS: Mean and maximum capillary density were increased (P = .013 and .005) and the ratio of endothelial nitric oxide synthase to capillary density decreased (P = .016) in specimens exposed to 4 courses of betamethasone compared with 1 to 3 courses. Exposure to 4 courses of betamethasone was associated with increased capillary density, but not with endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression.

CONCLUSION: Exposure to 4 courses of betamethasone is associated with increased placental capillary density. The placental effects of multiple courses of betamethasone are unrelated to endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression.

Volume

204

Issue

6

First Page

11

Last Page

16

ISSN

1097-6868

Published In/Presented At

Mertz, H. L., Mele, L., Spong, C. Y., Dudley, D. J., Wapner, R. J., Iams, J. D., Sorokin, Y., Peaceman, A., Leveno, K. J., Caritis, S. N., Miodovnik, M., Mercer, B. M., Thorp, J. M., O'Sullivan, M. J., Ramin, S. M., Carpenter, M., Rouse, D. J., Sibai, B., & Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network (2011). Placental endothelial nitric oxide synthase in multiple and single dose betamethasone exposed pregnancies. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 204(6), 545.e11–545.e5.45E16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2011.02.021

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

21529755

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article