Expression of NO synthases and redox enzymes in umbilical arteries from newborns born small, appropriate, and large for gestational age

BACKGROUND: Modified expression of nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) and an imbalance between the pro-oxidative and the antioxidative system accompany endothelial dysfunction, the first stage of atherosclerosis. Humans born small (SGA) or large (LGA) for gestational age are at higher risk of developing atherosclerosis later in life than humans born appropriate for gestational age (AGA). We hypothesized that indicators of endothelial dysfunction could be detectable at birth. The purpose of this study was to find out whether the expression patterns of NO synthases (endothelial NOS (eNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS), and neuronal NOS (nNOS)), pro-oxidative enzymes (components of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases, NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1), NOX2, NOX4, p22phox, and p47phox), and antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase 1-3 (SOD1-3), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), and catalase) in umbilical arteries differ among SGA, LGA, and AGA newborns. METHODS: Thirty-six umbilical cords were obtained from healthy, normal, full-term SGA, AGA, and LGA newborns. The umbilical arteries were dissected and homogenized. mRNA expression was analyzed with quantitative real-time PCR. Western blotting was performed to determine protein expression. RESULTS: mRNA and protein expression of NO synthases, pro-oxidative enzymes, and antioxidative enzymes did not differ in the umbilical arteries from newborns of the three groups. CONCLUSION: Indicators of endothelial dysfunction in terms of differences in enzyme expression in SGA or LGA newborns vs. AGA newborns were not present at birth.