NAD(P)H oxidase associated superoxide production in human placenta from normotensive and pre-eclamptic women

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of pre-eclampsia. Recently, the superoxide producing enzyme NAD(P)H oxidase was shown to be present in placental trophoblast. In this pilot-study we investigated the NAD(P)H oxidase associated superoxide production as modulator of placental oxidative stress in normotensive pregnancy (n=19; gestational age 38+6 ± 0+1 weeks+days) and pre-eclampsia (n=15; gestational age 34+3 ± 1+5 weeks+days) using a lucigenin assay. Specificity of superoxide generation by NAD(P)H oxidase was assessed using the inhibitors L-NAME, rotenone, allopurinol, DPI and TIRON. Superoxide production was measurable in all placenta tissues and was inhibited by DPI and TIRON. No significant differences for total superoxide production (O2total .), maximal superoxide production (O2max .), or the rate of superoxide production were found between normotensive and pre-eclamptic women. However, women with early onset of disease had a higher O2total . as compared to those with a late onset disease. We conclude that human placenta contains a functional NAD(P)H oxidase that is highly active, which could be an important source of superoxide during pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. These data justify more detailed investigation of the role of NAD(P)H oxidase and placental oxidative stress in complicated pregnancies.

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