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. 2017 Apr 4;15(1):26.
doi: 10.1186/s12958-017-0244-7.

Mitochondrial content, oxidative, and nitrosative stress in human full-term placentas with gestational diabetes mellitus

Joel Ramírez-Emiliano  1 , Martha E Fajardo-Araujo  2 , Ismael Zúñiga-Trujillo  2 , Victoriano Pérez-Vázquez  2 , Cuauhtémoc Sandoval-Salazar  3 , Jessica K Órnelas-Vázquez  2
Affiliations

Mitochondrial content, oxidative, and nitrosative stress in human full-term placentas with gestational diabetes mellitus

Joel Ramírez-Emiliano et al. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. .

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the mitochondrial content, and the oxidative and nitrosative stress of the placenta in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: Full-term placentas from GDM and healthy pregnancies were collected following informed consent. The lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and oxidized protein (carbonyls) levels were determined by spectrophotometry, and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), subunit IV of cytochrome oxidase (COX4), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and actin were determined by western blot, whereas ATPase activity was performed by determining the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) consumption using a High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system.

Results: TBARS and carbonyls levels were lower in the placentas of women with GDM compared with the normal placentas (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Also, 3-NT/actin and AMPK/actin ratios were higher in GDM placentas than in the normal placentas (p = 0.03 and p = 0.012, respectively). Whereas COX4/actin ratio and ATPase activity were similar between GDM placentas and those controls.

Conclusions: These data suggest that placentas with GDM are more protected against oxidative damage, but are more susceptible to nitrosative damage as compared to normal placentas. Moreover, the increased expression levels of AMPK in GDM placentas suggest that AMPK might have a role in maintaining the mitochondrial biogenesis at normal levels.

Trial registration: HGRL28072011 . Registered 28 July 2011.

Keywords: Gestational diabetes mellitus; Mitochondrial content; Oxidative and nitrative damage; Placenta.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
COX4 expression in placentas of GDM and healthy pregnancies. a Representative western blot of the COX4 and actin. b Densitometry analysis of the COX4/actin ratio; data are given as the means ± standard deviation (n = 12). NPW, normal pregnant women; GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus; COX4, subunit IV of cytochrome oxidase
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
AMPK expression in placentas of GDM and healthy pregnancies. a Representative western blot of the AMPK and actin. b Densitometry analysis of the AMPK/actin ratio; data are given as the means ± standard deviation (n = 12). NPW, normal pregnant women; GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus; AMPK, adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)–activated protein kinase. *p = 0.012 vs. NPW
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
ATPase activity in placentas of GDM and healthy pregnancies. NPW, normal pregnant women; GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus. Data are given as the means ± standard deviation (n = 12)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Oxidative damage in placentas of GDM and healthy pregnancies. a TBARS and b carbonyls levels. NPW, normal pregnant women; GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus. Data are given as the means ± standard deviation (n = 12). *p < 0.05 vs. NPW; **p < 0.001 vs. NPW
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Nitrative damage in placentas of GDM and healthy pregnancies. a Representative western blot of the 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and actin. b Densitometry analysis of the 3-NT/actin ratio; data are given as the means ± standard deviation (n = 12). ANPW, normal pregnant women; GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus. *p = 0.03 vs. NPW
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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