Hyaluronic Acid: Role in Pregnancy and Novel Applications in the Gestational Period

This book provides an overview of the role of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) during pregnancy and its applications in the gestational period. HMW-HA is a critical component of the extracellular matrix and has been shown to play a pivotal role in several phases of pregnancy, including blastocyst adhesion and implantation, immune tolerance, and the development of the haemo-lymphatic system. It has also been demonstrated to have regulatory activity on the PGRMC1 expression, a specific progesterone receptor expressed in maternal and foetal-maternal interface tissues, involved in uterine quiescence. The administration of HMW-HA may represent an interesting treatment opportunity for the prevention of recurrent miscarriage and pre-term birth in patients with risk factors, with a high safety profile.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 179 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2021
Publisher: Nova Science Publishers Inc

This comprehensive book serves as a valuable clinical resource for health professionals and researchers alike, providing an in-depth exploration of the crucial role played by High Molecular Hyaluronic Acid (HMW-HA) during pregnancy and its numerous applications throughout the gestational period. Hyaluronic acid, a vital component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), stands as one of the most intriguing, versatile, and valuable natural molecules across nearly all branches of biology. As extensively documented, HA assumes a pivotal role in various stages of pregnancy, spanning from fertilization to labor, exhibiting diverse regulatory activities and functional properties contingent upon its varying molecular weight. While low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMW-HA) has been widely employed in gynecology to alleviate menopause-related symptoms or in conjunction with physical therapies (such as radiation therapy) to mitigate the onset of adverse events, HMW-HA has received limited clinical evaluation. Its physiological presence in the extracellular matrix of all the primary organs and tissues involved in pregnancy (uterus, cervix, placenta, decidua, chorion, amnios, ovarium, etc.) underscores the significance of this molecule in ensuring a successful gestation. Several scholarly papers, notably, shed light on its importance in facilitating blastocyst adhesion and implantation, promoting efficient immune tolerance, and ensuring the proper development of the hemolymphatic system. It has been established that HMW-HA possesses regulatory effects on the expression of PGRMC1, a specific progesterone receptor exclusively expressed in maternal and foetal-maternal interface tissues, which plays a crucial role in uterine quiescence. Based on these findings, the administration of HMW-HA presents a promising treatment option for the prevention of recurrent miscarriage and pre-term birth (PTB) in patients with risk factors. Furthermore, the remarkable safety profile of HMW-HA further reinforces its potential as a safe and effective therapeutic intervention during pregnancy.

Weight: 276g
ISBN-13: 9781536197433