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A groundbreaking study led by researchers from the Institute of Zoology (IOZ) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Massachusetts General Hospital has delved into the metabolic changes occurring in various organs during pregnancy, providing unprecedented insights into maternal adaptations. Published in the journal Cell, the study used a unique approach, profiling metabolic activity in multiple organs of pregnant cynomolgus monkeys, shedding light on chemical and hormonal changes affecting maternal organs.
The study aimed to understand the metabolome, encompassing amino acids, lipids, sugars, and organic acids that regulate the body’s biochemical processes. Traditional studies focused on blood and urine during human pregnancies, lacking specificity regarding organ-related metabolites. Ethical and practical constraints make organ harvesting impractical for humans, and rodent studies are limited due to differences in metabolic diseases from humans.
The research team turned to cynomolgus monkeys, obtaining nearly 300 samples from 23 different tissues at various stages of pregnancy. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, which identifies and quantifies metabolites, the researchers identified 91 metabolites with potential roles in pregnancy adaptations. Unexpectedly, certain metabolites exhibited significant changes not only in major metabolic organs like the liver, pancreas, and heart but also in tissues traditionally considered less affected by pregnancy, such as certain muscles and skin.
Dr. Hongmei Wang, a reproductive biologist at IOZ and co-author, highlighted the role of the metabolome in determining organ structure and function. The study observed concentrations of metabolites changing as pregnancy progressed, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of metabolic adaptation.
Brittany Needham, a biochemist at Indiana University School of Medicine, noted the surprising findings in muscles and skin, emphasizing that pregnancy’s impact extends beyond reproductive organs. The study’s limitations, including a focus on three time points during the monkeys’ 165-day gestation period, were acknowledged, but the groundbreaking nature of the research offers a foundation for further exploration.
The study’s implications extend to disorders like preeclampsia, a condition causing high blood pressure during pregnancy. Elevated levels of the metabolite corticosterone in pregnant monkeys’ placentas were linked to placental function regulation. In laboratory experiments with human stem cells, the team demonstrated the importance of corticosterone. Notably, pregnant women with preeclampsia exhibited lower corticosterone levels than those without the condition. The findings suggest a potential link between corticosterone deficiency and preeclampsia, with implications for early clinical diagnoses.
While acknowledging their study as a starting point, the researchers hope it will inspire further exploration into the details of pregnancy-adaptive metabolites. The findings pave the way for a deeper understanding of pregnancy mechanisms and hold promise for transformative applications in reproductive health.
Note: The study offers groundbreaking insights into pregnancy-related metabolic changes, potentially influencing diagnostics and interventions for maternal adaptations and disorders.
