During healthy pregnancy, the cardiovascular system undergoes diverse adaptations to support adequate transfer of oxygen and nutrients from mother to fetus. In order to accommodate the large expansion of blood volume and associated cardiac output, the structure, mechanics, and function of the arteries are altered. Specifically, in healthy pregnancy there is a remodeling of arteries (increased angiogenesis and vasodilation), a generalized reduction in arterial stiffness (increased compliance), and an enhanced endothelial function. The development of pregnancy complications, specifically pre-eclampsia, is associated with poor placentation (decreased angiogenesis), increased arterial stiffness, and vascular dysfunction (reduced endothelial function). Many of the positive adaptations that occur in healthy pregnancy are enhanced in response to chronic exercise. Specifically, placental angiogenesis and endothelial function have been shown to improve to a greater extent in women who are active during their pregnancy compared with those who are not. Prenatal exercise may be important in helping to reduce the risk of vascular dysfunction in pregnancy. However, our knowledge of the vascular adaptations resulting from maternal exercise is limited. This review highlights maternal vascular adaptations occurring during healthy pregnancy, and contrasts the vascular maladaptation associated with pre-eclampsia. Finally, we discuss the role of prenatal exercise on vascular function in the potential prevention of vascular complications associated with pre-eclampsia.
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September 2017
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A flurogold labeled-retina flatmount (front) representing surviving retinal ganglion cells, and the chemical structure of trimetazidine (background). In Clinical Science volume 131, issue 18, Wan et al. report that trimetazidine protects retinal ganglion cells against acute glaucoma via the Nrf2/Ho-1 pathway and propose it as a novel therapeutic agent; for details, see pages 2363-2375.
Review Article|
August 10 2017
The influence of prenatal exercise and pre-eclampsia on maternal vascular function
Rachel J. Skow;
Rachel J. Skow
1Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, 1-052 Li Ka Shing Center for Health Innovation, Edmonton, Canada
2Neurovascular Health Lab, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
3Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
4Women and Children’s Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Emily C. King;
Emily C. King
1Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, 1-052 Li Ka Shing Center for Health Innovation, Edmonton, Canada
3Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
5Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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Craig D. Steinback;
Craig D. Steinback
1Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, 1-052 Li Ka Shing Center for Health Innovation, Edmonton, Canada
2Neurovascular Health Lab, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
3Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
4Women and Children’s Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
5Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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Margie H. Davenport
1Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, 1-052 Li Ka Shing Center for Health Innovation, Edmonton, Canada
2Neurovascular Health Lab, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
3Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
4Women and Children’s Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
5Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Correspondence: Margie H. Davenport ([email protected])
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
May 10 2017
Revision Received:
July 03 2017
Accepted:
July 06 2017
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© 2017 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society
2017
Clin Sci (Lond) (2017) 131 (17): 2223–2240.
Article history
Received:
May 10 2017
Revision Received:
July 03 2017
Accepted:
July 06 2017
Citation
Rachel J. Skow, Emily C. King, Craig D. Steinback, Margie H. Davenport; The influence of prenatal exercise and pre-eclampsia on maternal vascular function. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 September 2017; 131 (17): 2223–2240. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20171036
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