Abstract

Background: Prenatal depression is common, with an estimate that up to one in five pregnant women suffers from depressive symptoms. Maternal depression is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth-weight. Such outcomes possibly affect offspring development. Previous studies suggest placental RNA levels of the glucocorticoid receptor are altered by maternal depression or anxiety; this stress may affect the placenta of male and female foetuses differently. However, it is unknown if the protein levels and activity of this receptor are additionally affected in women with depressive symptoms or being pharmacologically treated for depression.

Methods: In this study, we investigated whether the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) in the placenta is affected by maternal depression and/or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) treatment. Placentas from 45 women with singleton, term pregnancies were analysed by Western blot to determine glucocorticoid receptor levels, and by DNA-binding capacity to measure glucocorticoid receptor activation.

Results: There were no differences in levels of the glucocorticoid receptor or activity between groups (control, depressive symptoms, and SSRI treatment; n = 45). Similarly, there was no difference in placental glucocorticoid receptor levels or activity dependent upon foetal sex.

Conclusion: Maternal depression and SSRI treatment do not affect the glucocorticoid receptors in the placenta.

摘要

背景：产前抑郁很常见，据估计，多达五分之一的孕妇患有抑郁症状。产妇抑郁症与​​不良的妊娠结局有关，例如早产和低出生体重。这样的结果可能会影响后代的发育。先前的研究表明，糖皮质激素受体的胎盘RNA水平会因母亲的抑郁或焦虑而改变；这种压力可能会影响男性和女性胎儿的胎盘。但是，尚不清楚在患有抑郁症状或接受过抑郁症治疗的女性中，该受体的蛋白水平和活性是否还会受到影响。

方法：在这项研究中，我们调查了胎盘中的糖皮质激素受体（NR3C1）是否受母体抑郁和/或选择性5-羟色胺再摄取抑制剂（SSRIs）治疗的影响。通过Western印迹分析45名单胎，足月妊娠妇女的胎盘，通过Western印迹分析确定糖皮质激素受体水平，并通过DNA结合能力测量糖皮质激素受体活化。

结果：各组之间糖皮质激素受体水平或活性无差异（对照组，抑郁症状和SSRI治疗；n  = 45）。同样，胎盘糖皮质激素受体水平或活性也无差异，这取决于胎儿的性别。

结论：母体抑郁和SSRI治疗不会影响胎盘中糖皮质激素受体。