Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) play a central role in cell-to-cell communication in normal physiology and in disease, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that chronic administration of sEVs isolated from GDM causes glucose intolerance in healthy pregnant mice. Small EVs were isolated from plasma between 24 and 28 weeks gestation from healthy pregnant women (controls) and GDM, and infused intravenously for 4 days in late pregnant mice using a mini-osmotic pump.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids
March 2021
Fatty acid metabolism and oxidation capacity in the placenta, which likely affects the rate and composition of lipid delivered to the fetus remains poorly understood. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are critical for fetal growth and brain development. We determined the impact of maternal obesity on placental fatty acid oxidation, esterification and transport capacity by measuring PhosphatidylCholine (PC) and LysoPhosphatidylCholine (LPC) containing DHA by mass spectrometry in mother-placenta-baby triads as well as placental free carnitine and acylcarnitine metabolites in women with normal and obese pre-pregnancy BMI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe mechanisms underpinning maternal metabolic adaptations to a healthy pregnancy and in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) isolated from healthy pregnant women promote islet glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and peripheral insulin resistance in nonpregnant mice and that sEVs from GDM women fail to stimulate insulin secretion and cause exacerbated insulin resistance. Small EVs were isolated from plasma of nonpregnant, healthy pregnant, and GDM women at 24-28 weeks of gestation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Reports from the current literature show a lack of detail with depictions of the genicular arteries (GA). The intricate anatomy and infrequency of operating in the posterior knee may lead to surgeons being unfamiliar with the anatomy. The goal of this cadaveric study was to quantitatively map the arteries and create a caution zone that can be utilized when preparing and performing surgical procedures involving the knee.
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