Adipocyte function in pregnancy and preeclampsia

Bio: Dr Freeman has been involved in the analysis of the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS), in particular the influence of inflammation, statins and genetics on the aetiology of type 2 diabetes. Her current research is in the field of metabolism in pregnancy and related complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus and growth restriction. Again the focus is on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and inflammation. Of particular interest is the role of adipose tissue function, ectopic fat accumulation and vascular function in the development of adverse pregnancy outcome.

Overview: In preeclampsia, there is abnormal lipid handling leading to an excessive hypertriglyceridaemia. We have found evidence that mothers with preeclampsia are less able to expand their adipose tissue and their adipocytes are more insulin resistant resulting in increased lipolysis. Excessive lipolysis and reduced capacity to store fatty acids in adipose tissue, such as is seen in type 2 diabetes, can lead to ectopic fat accumulation in the liver and other tissues with downstream pathological consequences resulting from lipotoxicity. We now have data demonstrating placental ectopic fat accumulation in preeclampsia.

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