Placenta as a therapeutic target in the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in adult life

Eduardo Reyna-Villasmil1
1. Servicio de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Hospital Central “Dr Urquinaona, Maracaibo, Venezuela;

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37980/im.journal.revcog.es.20262648

Keywords:

Placenta, Fetal Programming, Cardiovascular Disease, Prenatal Therapies

Abstract

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis highlights that prenatal exposures shape adult health, determining the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The placenta, an essential yet transient organ, acts as a key mediator in this fetal programming. Its functions of exchange, hormone synthesis, and immune modulation are sensitive to adverse maternal environments (malnutrition, stress, diabetes, inflammation), which alter its development and contribute to placental dysfunction, predisposing offspring to cardiovascular diseases. Complex molecular and cellular pathways are involved, including the mTOR pathway, steroid hormones, and epigenetics. The placenta's plasticity and transient nature make it an ideal therapeutic target, allowing for directed interventions that minimize fetal exposure. Emerging strategies such as optimizing maternal nutrition, pharmacological therapies, gene therapies, cell-based therapies, and the use of exosomes are being explored. Despite methodological and ethical-regulatory challenges, interdisciplinary research and investment in non-invasive technologies are crucial. Intervening in the placenta offers an unprecedented opportunity to prevent cardiovascular diseases and transform the global health of future generations. The aim of this review was to analyze current scientific evidence on the role of the placenta as a therapeutic target in the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in adult life.

Published

2026-04-30

Issue

Year 2026 Volume 30 Issue 1

Section

Artículo de Revisión

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Infomedic Intl.

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