Authors: Bainbridge, Shannon A.; Smith, Graeme N.

Source: Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, Volume 84, Numbers 8-9, August 2006 , pp. 953-957(5)

Publisher: NRC Research Press

Abstract:

Cigarette smoking throughout pregnancy is associated with several negative outcomes, of which an increased incidence of intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) is most pronounced. Gestationally age-matched infants born to smoking mothers are, on average, 200g lighter at birth, per pack smoked per day. The mechanisms and specific tobacco compounds responsible for the increased risk of IUGR among smokers have yet to be identified; however, it is widely accepted that smoking women have compromised placental perfusion throughout gestation due to the vasoconstricting effect of nicotine on uterine and placental blood vessels. Despite the universal acceptance of this theory, very little work has been completed to date examining the vasoactive properties of nicotine within the human placenta. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of nicotine on placental vascular function. Normal-term human placentae were obtained after elective cesarean sections. An in vitro placental perfusion system was used; increasing doses of nicotine (20-240ng/mL) were added to either the maternal (n = 5) or fetal (n = 3) circulation. The basal feto-placental perfusion pressure was 39.87 ± 4.3mmHg and was not affected by nicotine. This finding supports the hypotheses that nicotine does not directly affect placental microvascular function and that any contribution to fetal growth restriction is likely at the level of placental function (i.e., amino acid transport) and (or) uterine vascular function.

Le tabagisme maternel durant la grossesse est associé à plusieurs effets négatifs, le plus important étant une augmentation de l'incidence du retard de croissance intra-utérin (RCIU). Les nouveau-nés du même âge gestationnel de mère fumeuses pèsent en moyenne 200g de moins à la naissance, par paquet de cigarettes fumées par jour. Les mécanismes, et les composés spécifiques du tabac, responsables de l'augmentation du risque de RCIU chez les fumeuses doivent encore être identifiés; toutefois, il est largement accepté que les fumeuses compromettent la perfusion placentaire durant toute la durée de la grossesse à cause des effets vasoconstricteurs de la nicotine sur les vaisseaux sanguins utérins et placentaires. Malgré l'acceptation universelle de cette théorie, très peu de travaux ont, à ce jour, examiné les propriétés de la nicotine à l'intérieur du placenta humain. La présente étude a eu pour objectif de déterminer l'effet de la nicotine sur la fonction vasculaire placentaire. On a obtenu du placenta humain normal à terme à la suite de césariennes de convenance. On a utilisé un système de perfusion placentaire in vitro; des doses croissantes de nicotine (20-240ng/mL) ont été ajoutées à la circulation maternelle (n = 5) ou fœtale (n = 3). La pression de perfusion fœto-placentaire basale été de 39,87 ± 4,3mmHg et n'a pas été affectée par la nicotine. Ces résultats confortent l'hypothèse que la nicotine n'affecte pas directement la fonction micro-vasculaire placentaire et que toute participation au retard de la croissance fœtale se fait probablement au niveau de la fonction placentaire (c.-à-d. transport d'acides aminés) et (ou) de la fonction vasculaire utérine.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2006-08-01

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