The human feto-placental unit being in the environment of the materno-fetal circulation is very much susceptible to the danger of reactive oxygen species-induced oxidative damage. The present study reports the status of various antioxidants in the feto-placental system at birth. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase as well as concentrations of non-enzymic antioxidants viz, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, bilirubin and glutathione have been determined in term placental brush border membrane (BBM) and umbilical cord (UC) blood. The extent of lipid peroxidation in developing and term BBM and UC blood has been studied by estimation of malondialdehyde and conjugated dienes, both being the end products of lipid peroxidation. The results indicate the presence of a protective mechanism against oxygen toxicity in the feto-placental system at the time of parturition. Copyright (C) 1999.

S QANUNGO

A SEN

M MUKHERJEA

University of Calcutta (informally known as Calcutta University or CU) is a collegiate public state university located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.&nbsp;Within India it is recognized as a &quot;Five-Star University&quot; and accredited &quot;A&quot; Grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

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The University of Calcutta has secured the Fifth position among the Universities of India in the prestigious &quot;Indian University Ranking 2019&quot; list, released by the NIRF of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

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It was established on 24 January 1857, and was one of the first institutions in Asia to be established as a multidisciplinary and Western-style university. Its alumni and faculty include several heads of state, heads of government, social reformers, prominent artists, only academy award winner and Dirac medal winner in India, many Fellows of the Royal Society and five Nobel laureates as of 2019 which is highest in South Asia.

University Of Calcutta

Antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in human feto-placental unit.

Clinica Chimica Acta

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) pose a serious threat to maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. However, there is little information on the oxidative damage caused by ROS and its protection during prenatal life. The present study highlights the status of various antioxidants in human placental and fetal tissues at different phases of gestation. The activity profile of scavenging enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase as well as the concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, bilirubin and glutathione have been determined in human placental whole homogenate, placental brush border membrane and fetal liver over gestational periods ranging from 6 weeks of pregnancy till birth. The ontogenic profile of lipid peroxidation, a marker of oxidative damage has also been investigated in the feto-placental system. Catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities increased significantly, but glutathione peroxidase activity remained almost the same throughout development. Except α-tocopherol and bilirubin, the concentrations of other non-enzymic scavengers followed a significant increasing trend with advancement of pregnancy. Results indicate that there is gradual suppression of lipoperoxide formation with the progress of gestation to protect the fetus against oxygen toxicity. © 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Ontogenic profile of some antioxidants and lipid peroxidation in human placental and fetal tissues

The syncytiotrophoblastic brush-border membrane (BBM) of human placenta plays a vital role in the exchange of metabolites between mother and developing fetus. The fluidity of this membrane renders its selective permeable character. To meet the changing needs of the growing fetus with the progress of gestational age changes in the composition and properties of BBM occur. In the present study, decrease in cholesterol/phospholipid ratio of BBM indicated an increase in fluidity with advancement of gestational age. Measurement of the steady state fluorescence anisotropy of labeled liposomes prepared from lipid extract of BBM as well as that of labeled BBM vesicles prepared from native BBM shows decrease in restriction of the bound dye molecule with increased gestational age. Decrease in transition temperature of BBM and enhanced glucose transport through it have been observed with advancement of pregnancy. © 1995.

BBA - Biomembranes

Increase in fluidity of human placental syncytiotrophoblastic brush-border membrane with advancement of gestational age: A fluorescence polarization study

The presence of phosphodiesterase IV has been demonstrated in the human fetal brain, liver and placenta as early as in the 6th week of intrauterine development. The enzyme activity in each tissue increases with gestation, being maximum at 18-21 wk and then decreases. The Km values of this enzyme for bis-(p-nitrophenyl)-phosphate hydrolysis in the brain, liver and placenta are 2.94 mM, 1.47 mM and 1.66 mM, respectively. Presence of sulfhydryl group in the active center of the placental enzyme has been demonstrated with the help of cationic study. EDTA inhibits the enzyme in all the three tissues. Effect of concanavalin A reveals the absence or unexposition of glucose, mannose and N-acetylglucosamine moieties in the active site of the enzyme in each of the three tissues. Maximum enzyme activity has been found to be localized in the soluble supernatant fraction obtained on centrifuging the brain and liver homogenate at 105,000 × g and in 20,000 × g pellet of the placenta. © 1982.

Journal	Clinica Chimica Acta
Publisher	-
ISSN	0009-8981