Oxidative stress in the placenta

Abstract

Pregnancy is a state of oxidative stress arising from increased placental mitochondrial activity and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mainly superoxide anion. The placenta also produces other ROS including nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and peroxynitrite which have pronounced effects on placental function including trophoblast proliferation and differentiation and vascular reactivity. Excessive production of ROS may occur at certain windows in placental development and in pathologic pregnancies, such as those complicated by preeclampsia and/or IUGR, overpowering antioxidant defenses with deleterious outcome. In the first trimester, establishment of blood flow into the intervillous space is associated with a burst of oxidative stress. The inability to mount an effective antioxidant defense against this results in early pregnancy loss. In late gestation increased oxidative stress is seen in pregnancies complicated by diabetes, IUGR, and preeclampsia in association with increased trophoblast apoptosis and deportation and altered placental vascular reactivity. Evidence for this oxidative stress includes increased lipid peroxides and isoprostanes and decreased expression and activity of antioxidants. The interaction of nitric oxide and superoxide produces peroxynitrite, a powerful prooxidant with diverse deleterious effects including nitration of tyrosine residues on proteins thus altering function. Nitrative stress, subsequent to oxidative stress is seen in the placenta in preeclampsia and diabetes in association with altered placental function.

Oxidative stress status of highly prolific sows during gestation and lactation

“…In this regard, there are clinical and experimental evidences that oxidative stress and/or low intake of antioxidant (Klemmensen et al, 2009) is involved in the etiopathogenesis of the most frequent disorders in the gestational period (Hubel, 1999;Myatt and Cui, 2004;Jauniaux et al, 2006). This study utilized multiparous sow to better comprehend the status of oxidative stress during different stages of reproduction.…”

“…It has been suggested that pregnancy is a state of oxidative stress, which is characterized by the placental production of reactive oxygen species including superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (Casanueva and Viteri, 2003;Myatt and Cui, 2004;Chen and Scholl, 2005). Excessive free radical production may cause both lipid and protein oxidation and impair normal endothelial cell function (Serdar et al, 2003).…”

Urinary biopyrrin as a possible oxidative stress marker during pregnancy

“…, 2000 Moller, 1996 , 2000Yoshida, 2001, 2000, 2000Hubel, 1996 Barton, 1999 Toescu, 2004E C Chappell, 1999μmol/gCre , 2003Stocker 1987E 24G7 Shimizu, 1988Yamaguchi, 1994Shimoharada, 1998Shimomura, 2002Yamaguchi, 2002, 1997 Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale Hubel CA, McLaughlin KM, et al (1996). Fasting serum triglycerides, free fatty acids, and malondialdehyde are increased in preeclampsia, are positively correlated,…”

Antioxidant Status in Normal Pregnancy and Preeclampsia upon Multivitamin-Mineral Supplementation in the Region of Vojvodina

“…The placenta is another local source of free radicals. It produces nitric oxide (NO), but also, because it's so rich with free radical producing macrophages, it can contribute to the development of oxidative stress [4], [5].…”