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Decrease in cytochrome c oxidase activity detected cytochemically in the placental trophoblast of patients with
S Matsubara1, H Minakami, I Sato
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi, Japan.
Placenta
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Pre-eclampsia is linked to reduced cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in placental mitochondria. This suggests trophoblastic mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to placental dysfunction in pre-eclampsia.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Obstetrics
- Pathology
Background:
- Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by placental dysfunction.
- Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is a key enzyme in mitochondrial energy production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cytochemically detectable COX activity in trophoblasts and placental dysfunction in pre-eclampsia.
- To explore potential mitochondrial dysfunction in pre-eclamptic placentae.
Main Methods:
- Involved fifteen placentae: 10 from uncomplicated pregnancies and 5 from pre-eclamptic patients.
- Utilized ultrastructural enzyme cytochemistry with DAB to localize COX activity in trophoblastic mitochondria.
- Quantified COX-positive mitochondria via staining intensity.
Main Results:
- COX activity was localized to intracristal and intermembrane spaces of trophoblastic mitochondria.
- A marked decrease in COX-positive mitochondria was observed in placentae from women with pre-eclampsia.
- This indicates reduced COX activity in the trophoblast of pre-eclamptic placentae.
Conclusions:
- Trophoblastic mitochondrial dysfunction may be a feature of pre-eclampsia.
- Reduced COX activity could contribute to placental dysfunction observed in pre-eclampsia.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in pre-eclampsia pathogenesis.