Abstract
The relative contributions of inflammation and ischemia to the pathogenesis of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) have not been elucidated. We hypothesized that fetal cardiovascular function and cerebral blood flow velocity (BFV) would be decreased in a rat model of chorioamnionitis. We also tested whether placental inflammation was related to proximity to the cervix in our model of chorioamnionitis [intracervical lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle (PBS) injection]. On embryonic d 15, Sprague-Dawley rats underwent baseline maternal and fetal echocardiography, followed by LPS or PBS injection, then serial echocardiographic evaluations until embryonic day (ED) 21. One hour after birth, pups had middle cerebral artery (MCA) BFV measured. Placentas of LPS-exposed pups exhibited uniform, higher inflammation grades (p < 0.001). All fetal BFVs increased with advancing GA (p < 0.001) whereas resistance index (RI) decreased (p < 0.001). There was no difference in fetal BFV between the groups other than a reduced gestation-related increase in descending aorta BFV in LPS-exposed rats (p < 0.05). Newborn pups exposed to LPS had lower heart rate (p = 0.006) and MCA BFV (p = 0.024) and higher RI (p = 0.003) and pulsatility index (PI; p = 0.004). In conclusion, intracervical LPS injection produces an inflammation independent of placental position, a blunted increase in gestation-related aortic BFV, and a decrease in MCA BFV in newborn pups.
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Abbreviations
- BFV:
-
blood flow velocity E. coli, Escherichia coli
- ED:
-
embryonic day
- H&E:
-
hematoxylin and eosin
- LPS:
-
lipopolysaccharide
- PI:
-
pulsatility index
- PVL:
-
periventricular leukomalacia
- RI:
-
resistance index
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We thank Hyagriv Simhan, M.D., for assistance with the hysterotomy technique.
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Supported by the Center for Research On Women and Newborns (CROWN) Foundation [T.Y.] and the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation [B.B.K.].
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Abdulkadir, A., Kimimasa, T., Bell, M. et al. Placental Inflammation and Fetal Hemodynamics in a Rat Model of Chorioamnionitis. Pediatr Res 68, 513–518 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/PDR.0b013e3181f851ed
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/PDR.0b013e3181f851ed
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