Obesity and overweight also increasingly affect women of childbearing age and pregnant women. In maternal obesity, the activation of metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress pathways is proven, which appears to be a key step in placental and uterus function pathological changes. Several recent studies have evidenced that aquaporins (AQPs) are critical players in adipose tissue biology and are involved in the onset of obesity. Our studies aimed to investigate the changes in placental volume and vascularization and measure the AQP5 expression and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the placenta and uterus tissues in obese and normal-weight mothers. We also aim to measure the AQP5 plasma concentration. We found AQP5 dominance in the uterus and plasma at 34 weeks of normal pregnancy. The placental volume increased, and the vascularization decreased in obese mothers compared to the control. The AQP5 expression increased in the uterus of the obese group and did not change in the placenta. The TAC decreased in the plasma of overweight mothers. We hypothesize that increased AQP5 expression prolongs the length of pregnancy and inhibits the onset of contractions. Based on our findings, we can develop diagnostic tests and provide new targets for tocolytic drug development.

Background: Obesity and overweight are also becoming more prevalent among women of childbearing age and pregnant women. In maternal obesity, the activation of metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress pathways is proven, which appears to be a key step in the pathological changes observed in placental and uterine function. Several recent studies have evidenced that aquaporins (AQPs) are critical players in adipose tissue biology and are involved in the onset of obesity. Methods: Our studies aimed to investigate the changes in placental volume and vascularization and measure the AQP5 expression and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the placenta and uterus tissues in obese and typical-weight mothers. We also aim to measure the AQP5 plasma concentration. Results: We found AQP5 dominance in the uterus and plasma at 34 weeks of normal pregnancy. The placental volume increased and the vascularization decreased in obese mothers compared to the control. The AQP5 expression increased in the uterus of the obese group and did not change in the placenta. The TAC decreased in the plasma of overweight mothers. Conclusions: We hypothesize that increased AQP5 expression prolongs the length of pregnancy and inhibits the onset of contractions. Based on our findings, we can develop diagnostic tests and provide new targets for tocolytic drug development.

Background/Objectives: Pregnancy is associated with increased procoagulant conditions, and when combined with obesity, it can elevate the risk of thrombosis. The study aims to assess thrombosis risk markers during pregnancy in relation to obesity. Methods: Somatically healthy women aged 18–42 years with spontaneous pregnancies who did not receive specific antithrombotic treatment were enrolled in the study (n = 97). The participants were divided into groups based on pregestational BMI: the first group consisted of patients who had a BMI ≤ 25 (n = 42), and the second group consisted of patients who were overweight (BMI > 25) and obese (BMI > 30) (n = 55). The control group comprised healthy, non-pregnant, non-obese women (n = 10). Results: Fibrinogen levels, elevated during pregnancy, were higher in the II and III trimesters, with gestational period having a greater influence than BMI. Moderate D-dimer accumulation was observed regardless of obesity, but higher levels were seen in obese women during the III trimester, indicating the dissolution of intravascular fibrin deposits. Soluble fibrin was significantly higher in obese and overweight women during the II trimester and elevated in both groups during the III trimester, correlating with D-dimer accumulation and indicating thrombus formation. A decrease in platelet aggregation ability was observed correlating with D-dimer and soluble fibrin patterns. Conclusions: A significant accumulation of thrombosis risk markers was observed in the III trimester compared to the II, occurring earlier in obese and overweight pregnant women and indicating a higher risk of thrombotic complications in obesity.