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ABSTRACT: Purpose
Labor is a complex process involving multiple para-, auto- and endocrine cascades. The interaction of cortisol, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and progesterone is essential. The action of cortisol on the human feto-placental unit is regulated by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11?-HSD2/HSD11B2) that converts cortisol into inactive cortisone. The majority of studies on the assessment of placental 11?-HSD2 function determined indirect activity parameters. It remains elusive if indirect measurements correlate with enzymatic function and if these parameters are affected by potential confounders (e.g., mode of delivery). Thus, we compared determinants of indirect 11?-HSD2 tissue activity with its direct enzymatic turnover rate in placental samples from spontaneous births and cesarean (C)-sections.Methods
Using LC-MS/MS, we determined CRH, cortisol, cortisone, progesterone and 17-hydroxy(OH)-progesterone in human term placentas (spontaneous birth vs. C-section, n?=?5 each) and measured the enzymatic glucocorticoid conversion rates in placental microsomes. Expression of HSD11B1, 2 and CRH was determined via qRT-PCR in the same samples.Results
Cortisol-cortisone ratio correlated with direct microsomal enzymatic turnover. While this observation seemed independent of sampling site, a strong influence of mode of delivery on tissue steroids was observed. The mRNA expression of HSD11B2 correlated with indirect and direct cortisol turnover rates in C-section placentas only. In contrast to C-sections, CRH, cortisol and cortisone levels were significantly increased in placental samples following spontaneous birth.Conclusion
Labor involves a series of complex hormonal processes including activation of placental CRH and glucocorticoid metabolism. This has to be taken into account when selecting human cohorts for comparative analysis of placental steroids.
SUBMITTER: Huebner H
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7858211 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Huebner Hanna H Heussner Kirsten K Ruebner Matthias M Schmid Matthias M Nadal Jennifer J Woelfle Joachim J Hartner Andrea A Menendez-Castro Carlos C Rauh Manfred M Beckmann Matthias W MW Kehl Sven S Fahlbusch Fabian B FB
Archives of gynecology and obstetrics 20200903 2
<h4>Purpose</h4>Labor is a complex process involving multiple para-, auto- and endocrine cascades. The interaction of cortisol, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and progesterone is essential. The action of cortisol on the human feto-placental unit is regulated by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2/HSD11B2) that converts cortisol into inactive cortisone. The majority of studies on the assessment of placental 11β-HSD2 function determined indirect activity parameters. It rema ...[more]