The findings in this study do not show any evidence of deficiency in the maternal protective antioxidant systems or increased production of lipid peroxidation products, LPO and MDA in African women with pre-eclampsia as compared with normal pregnancy. However, there was evidence of increased cord plasma concentrations of MDA and vitamin E in eclampsia as compared with normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. The placenta may be effective in removing MDA. The antioxidant uric acid serves as a protective role whilst the antioxidant and oxidant capacity in the different study groups remained unchanged.
Objective
The aim of this investigation is to determine the effect of human serum albumin (HSA) and α-acid glycoprotein (AAG) on buprenorphine (BUP) transplacental transfer and distribution.
Methods
The technique of dual perfusion of placental lobule (DPPL) was utilized. Buprenorphine was co-perfused with the marker compound antipyrine (AP). In each experiment, the radiolabeled isotopes [3H]-buprenorphine and [14C]-AP were added to enhance their detection limits. Human plasma proteins, HSA and AAG, were added to both the maternal and fetal circuits separately and in combination at their physiological concentrations in maternal and fetal circulations close to term.
Results
Transplacental transfer of BUP, in absence of plasma proteins, is a 2-step process: the first is its uptake by the syncytiotrophoblast from the maternal circuit, and the second is its transfer/release from the tissue to the fetal circuit. The addition of HSA to the perfusion medium affected only the second step of BUP transfer, but AAG affected both steps. The combined effect of HSA and AAG was not different from that observed in presence of the latter alone.
Conclusions
Binding of BUP to circulating AAG could have an important role in the transfer of the drug from the maternal to fetal circulation.
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