PP077. Effect of maternal antioxidant concentrations on expressions of angiogenesis-related genes in the villous trophoblasts from early pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION

The pathogenesis of preeclampsia is associated with oxidative stress of villous trophoblasts in early pregnancy. We have reported that antioxidant supplementations from 12weeks of gestation could prevent mild preeclampsia in pregnant women with oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVES

To prove the effect of maternal antioxidant concentrations on expressions of angiogenesis-related genes in the villous trophoblasts from early pregnancy.

METHODS

Villous tissue and blood samples were obtained from pregnant women who had artificial abortions between 6 and 11weeks of gestation. RNA was extracted from villous tissue, and gene expression levels of fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (FLT-1), endoglin (ENG), and placental growth factor (PGF) in villous tissue were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Serum vitamin C and E concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Showa University Hospital.

RESULTS

Negative correlations between maternal serum vitamin C levels and gene expressions of ENG (r=-0.856, p=0.007) and FLT-1 (r=-0.898, p=0.002) in the villous trophoblasts were observed. There was no correlation of maternal serum vitamin E concentration with any other gene expression in the villous trophoblasts.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that maternal oxidative stress may increase the gene expressions of anti-angiogenic factors in villous trophoblasts of early gestation, which may lead to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.