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Assessment of Tissue Expression of the Oxytocin–Vasopressin Pathway in the Placenta of Women with a First-Episode Psychosis during Pregnancy

Authors :
Lahera, Miguel A. Ortega
Cielo García-Montero
Óscar Fraile-Martinez
Diego De Leon-Oliva
Diego Liviu Boaru
Coral Bravo
Juan A. De Leon-Luis
Miguel A. Saez
Angel Asúnsolo
Ignacio Romero-Gerechter
Alejandro Sanz-Giancola
Raul Diaz-Pedrero
Laura Lopez-Gonzalez
Luis G. Guijarro
Silvestra Barrena-Blázquez
Julia Bujan
Natalio García-Honduvilla
Melchor Alvarez-Mon
Miguel Ángel Alvarez-Mon
Guillermo
Source :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences; Volume 24; Issue 12; Pages: 10254
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2023.

Abstract

Psychosis refers to a mental health condition characterized by a loss of touch with reality, comprising delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thought, disorganized behavior, catatonia, and negative symptoms. A first-episode psychosis (FEP) is a rare condition that can trigger adverse outcomes both for the mother and newborn. Previously, we demonstrated the existence of histopathological changes in the placenta of pregnant women who suffer an FEP in pregnancy. Altered levels of oxytocin (OXT) and vasopressin (AVP) have been detected in patients who manifested an FEP, whereas abnormal placental expression of these hormones and their receptors (OXTR and AVPR1A) has been proven in different obstetric complications. However, the precise role and expression of these components in the placenta of women after an FEP have not been studied yet. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to analyze the gene and protein expression, using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC), of OXT, OXTR, AVP, and AVPR1a in the placental tissue of pregnant women after an FEP in comparison to pregnant women without any health complication (HC-PW). Our results showed increased gene and protein expression of OXT, AVP, OXTR, and AVPR1A in the placental tissue of pregnant women who suffer an FEP. Therefore, our study suggests that an FEP during pregnancy may be associated with an abnormal paracrine/endocrine activity of the placenta, which can negatively affect the maternofetal wellbeing. Nevertheless, additional research is required to validate our findings and ascertain any potential implications of the observed alterations.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14220067
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences; Volume 24; Issue 12; Pages: 10254
Accession number :
edsair.multidiscipl..78db478eacc041b144426b4ab729d764
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241210254