Abruptio placentae in the setting of an atypical presentation of acute appendicitis: a case report.

Background: Causes of placental abruption include traumatic events, cocaine use, hypertension, cigarette smoking and advanced maternal age. Recent studies also implicate inflammatory precursors, such as preterm premature rupture of membranes and chorioamnionitis. Clear precipitating events are often not identified, and precise etiologic determinants are still being determined.

The activity of PPAR gamma in primary human trophoblasts is enhanced by oxidized lipids.

The ligand-dependent nuclear receptor PPAR gamma plays an important role in murine and human trophoblast differentiation. Oxidized lipids, which are implicated in the pathophysiology of placental dysfunction, have recently been identified as ligands for PPAR gamma. We therefore hypothesized that oxidized lipids activate PPAR gamma in human trophoblasts and influence placental function.