Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) become upregulated very early on in pregnancy and is crucial in maintaining blood pressure. In addition to the peripheral RAS there is a uteroplacental RAS, which is also important in regulating placental function and development. Recent work has shown extra-renal sodium storage in the skin; it is suggested that the placenta may also function as a salt sensing organ and is important in regulating maternal blood pressure.<p c...

Background: PE affects ~2% of pregnancies and is associated with generalised endothelial cell dysfunction. Antioxidant selenoproteins may limit such effects. Serum selenium is lower in mothers and babies affected by PE and associated with lower activity of the selenoprotein glutathione peroxidases. Other selenoproteins, the iodothyronine deiodinases (IDs; D2 and D3) regulate fetal thyroid hormone synthesis. The IDs utilise selenium preferentially; we have reported similar trii...