Sex-specific associations of sedentary behaviour and physical activity with placental and fetal IL-6 in pregnant women with obesity. Impact on neonatal adiposity in the DALI randomised controlled trial
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: AIMS: To investigate: i) the association of sedentary time (ST) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during pregnancy with placental interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression and cord venous IL-6 content in women with obesity; and ii) cord venous markers mediating the relationship of ST/MVPA and placental IL-6 with neonatal adiposity. METHODS: Among 134 participants, ST and MVPA were assessed using accelerometry at three gestational periods. Placental IL-6 mRNA was quantified using Nanostring technology. Cord blood concentrations of glucose, leptin, insulin, C-peptide and IL-6 were determined. Neonatal fat percentage was calculated from skinfold measurements. RESULTS: Increasing MVPA from inclusion (<20 weeks) to 24-28 or 35-37 weeks, and reducing ST to 24-28 weeks, were associated with higher IL-6 expression in female placentas (p < 0.05). Increasing MVPA from inclusion to 24-28 weeks was associated with lower cord venous IL-6 levels in male fetuses (p = 0.006). Lower cord glucose and insulin concentrations and insulin resistance mediated the association between increased placental IL-6 and reduced neonatal adiposity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In women with obesity, increasing MVPA and reducing ST during pregnancy is associated with higher IL-6 expression in female placentas and lower cord IL-6 in male fetuses. Higher placental IL-6 expression is linked to reduced fetal insulinemia and insulin resistance, contributing to lower neonatal adiposity. TWITTER SUMMARY/SOCIAL MEDIA: In pregnant women with obesity, higher moderate-vigorous physical activity and lower sedentary time upregulate placental IL-6 expression, which in turn is related to lower neonatal adiposity through reduced fetal insulinemia and insulin resistance. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN70595832.
Authors: Pedro Acosta-Manzano, David J. Hill, Barbara Leopold-Posch, Gernot Desoye, Mireille N.M. van Poppel, David Simmons, Roland Devlieger, Sander Galjaard, Rosa Corcoy, Juan M. Adelantado, Fidelma Dunne, Jürgen Harreiter, Alexandra Kautzky-Willer, Peter Damm, Elisabeth R. Mathiesen, Dorte M. Jensen, Lise-Lotte Andersen, Mette Tanvig, Annunziata Lapolla, Maria-Grazia Dalfra, Alessandra Bertolotto, Ewa Wender-Ozegowska, Agnieszka Zawiejska, Frank J Snoek, Judith G.M. Jelsma, Gernot Desoye, Mireille N.M. van Poppel
Institutions: University of Graz, Lawson Research Institute, Medical University of Graz, Western Sydney University, KU Leuven, Erasmus MC, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Hospital de Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau, National University of Ireland, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway, Medical University of Vienna, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, University of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, University of Padua, University of Pisa, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,410
Funders: National Institute for Health and Care Research, European Commission, ZonMw, Austrian Science Fund, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Ministerstwo Edukacji i Nauki, Syddansk Universitet, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Medizinische Universität Graz, Seventh Framework Programme, Instituto de Salud Carlos III
OpenAlex ID: W7160520108