Labour and premature delivery differentially affect the expression of the endocannabinoid system in the human placenta
Laboratory studyHumans
- Design
- Laboratory study
- Subjects
- Human placental samples from four groups (preterm and term, in labour and not in labour) and the TCL-1 trophoblast cell line
- Dose used in the study
- Not applicable; palmitoylethanolamide was not given
- Duration
- Not stated in the abstract
- What was measured
- Expression of FAAH, NAPE-PLD, CB1 and CB2 in placenta by immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR, and effects of anandamide on TCL-1 cells.
What the authors reported
This laboratory study found:
- All endocannabinoid system components were present in third-trimester placenta, with NAPE-PLD and CB2 the most modulated by labour.
- Anandamide reduced TCL-1 cell numbers via CB2, while CB1 maintained placental integrity through specific transcription regulators.
- Plasma AEA, OEA and PEA rise at term, but no PEA-specific placental result is reported.
Limits of this study
A tissue and cell study; it cannot show effect of PEA given in practice. PEA is mentioned as background only. The authors declare no competing interests.
Source
PubMed 37750996 · doi:10.1007/s00418-023-02236-y
Entry checked against the abstract on PubMed on 2026-09-22. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.