White Adipose Tissue in Pregnancy Study (WAT Study)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Adaptations in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue metabolism during normal and pathological pregnancies
IRAS ID
153460
Contact name
Becky Ward
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
There is a gradual change in metabolism in pregnancy. This is characterised by a switch from normal levels of cholesterol, glucose and bile acids in early pregnancy to high levels of lipids, glucose and bile acids in late pregnancy. This is important to ensure that nutrients are provided for the growing fetus. However, it results in some women developing metabolic diseases of pregnancy, e.g. gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).
This project aims to understand the role of metabolic tissues in the changes of the metabolism of pregnant women. We are asking for permission to collect samples of adipose tissue (subcutaneous and visceral fat) when women are having surgical procedures. Specifically, we would like to take small samples of fat at two time points:
1. When having a caesarean section (3rd trimester of pregnancy)
2. When having laparoscopic surgery for ectopic pregnancy (1st trimester of
pregnancy)
Samples will only be taken from women having surgery as part of their clinical care. We are requesting permission to collect samples from women with metabolic diseases of pregnancy (GDM and ICP) and matched controls (women with uncomplicated pregnancy). We will also want to collect blood samples.
There is evidence from non-pregnant individuals (and from animal studies) that the adipose tissue in different parts of the body function in different ways. Subcutaneous fat is typically a fat storage tissue while visceral adipose tissue plays a role in metabolism of fat. Our studies in mice suggest that these different fat stores function differently in pregnancy, and they may play a role in the metabolic changes that cause dyslipidaemia and susceptibility to diabetes mellitus. We aim to identify where there are similar changes in function of adipose tissue in human pregnancy, and whether this contributes to the development of GDM and ICP.REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/2194
Date of REC Opinion
10 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion