Mitochondrial Content and hepcidin are increased in Obese pregnant mothers

AbstractObjective: Maternal obesity is characterized by systemic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress (OxS) with the contribution of fetal sex dimorphism. We recently described increased mitochondrial content (mtDNA) in placentas of obese pregnancies. Here, we quantify mtDNA and hepcidin as indexes of OxS and systemic inflammation in the obese maternal circulation.Methods: Forty-one pregnant women were enrolled at elective cesarean section: 16 were normal weight (NW) and 25 were obese (OB). Obese women were further classified according to the presence/absence of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); [OB/GDM(–)]: n = 15, [OB/GDM(+)]: n = 10. mtDNA and hepcidin were evaluated in blood (real-time PCR) and plasma (ELISA).Results: mtDNA and hepcidin levels were significantly increased in OB/GDM(–) versus NW, significantly correlating with pregestational BMI. Male/female (M/F) ratio was equal in study groups, and overall F-carrying pregnancies showed significantly higher mtDNA and hepcidin levels...