Maternal Smoking Highly Affects the Function, Membrane Integrity, and Rheological Properties in Fetal Red Blood Cells.

ABSTRACT: An understanding of the basic pathophysiological mechanisms of neonatal diseases necessitates detailed knowledge about the wide range of complications in the circulating fetal RBCs. Recent publications on adult red blood cells (RBCs) provide evidence that RBCs carry an active nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) enzyme and contribute to vascular functioning and integrity via their active nitric oxide synthesis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maternal smoking on the phenotypical appearance and functionality of fetal RBCs, based on morphological and molecular studies. We looked for possible links between vascular dysfunction and NOS3 expression and activation and its regulation by arginase (ARG1). Significant morphological and functional differences were found between fetal RBC

SUBMITTER: Dugmonits KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6906794 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature