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Susceptibility of placental mitochondria to oxidative stress

Rodrigo Papa Gobbi1, Gladis Magnarelli1,2, María Gabriela Rovedatti1

  • 1Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue (CITAAC), CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Neuquén, Argentina.

Birth Defects Research
|September 20, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) causes oxidative damage in human placental mitochondria (LMF and HMF). The antioxidant systems in both mitochondrial fractions responded similarly to H₂O₂ exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Mitochondrial biochemistry
  • Human placental research
  • Oxidative stress biology

Background:

  • Human placenta contains two distinct mitochondrial fractions: light (LMF) and heavy (HMF).
  • Mitochondria are primary sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress pose risks to placental health and fetal development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the antioxidant capacity of placental LMF and HMF.
  • To determine the susceptibility of placental LMF and HMF to oxidative stress.

Main Methods:

  • Isolated human placental mitochondrial fractions (LMF and HMF) from healthy donors.
  • Incubation of MFs with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).
  • Measurement of catalase (CAT) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LP), and protein carbonylation (PC).

Main Results:

  • H₂O₂ exposure increased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation.
  • H₂O₂ treatment decreased catalase activity.
  • Reduced glutathione levels remained unchanged after H₂O₂ treatment in both LMF and HMF.

Conclusions:

  • Hydrogen peroxide induces oxidative damage in both light and heavy mitochondrial fractions of the human placenta.
  • The measured antioxidant systems in LMF and HMF exhibited similar responses to oxidative stress.
  • This study provides initial insights into placental mitochondrial antioxidant defense, though further parameters are needed to differentiate HMF and LMF responses.
Keywords:
mitochondriaoxidative stressplacentareactive oxygen species

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