Effect of Selenium and Iodine on Oxidative Stress in the First Trimester Human Placenta Explants

Selenium Deficiency Causes Iron Death and Inflammatory Injury Through Oxidative Stress in the Mice Gastric Mucosa

Selenium (Se) is a trace element essential for the maintenance of normal physiological functions in living organisms. Oxidative stress is a state in which there is an imbalance between oxidative and antioxidant effects in the body. A deficiency of Se can make the body more inclined to oxidation, which can induce related diseases. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the mechanisms by which Se deficiency affects the digestive system through oxidation. The results showed that Se deficiency treatment led to a decrease in the levels of GPX4 and antioxidant enzymes and an increase in the levels of ROS, MDA, and lipid peroxide (LPO) in the gastric mucosa. Oxidative stress was activated. Triple stimulation of ROS, Fe2+, and LPO induced iron death. The TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway was activated, inducing an inflammatory response. The expression of the BCL family and caspase family genes was increased, leading to apoptotic cell death. Meanwhile, the RIP3/MLKL signaling pathway was activated, leading to cell necrosis. Taken together, Se deficiency can induce iron death through oxidative stress. Meanwhile, the production of large amounts of ROS activated the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, leading to apoptosis and necrosis of the gastric mucosa.

Effects of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Selenium Deficiency on the Offspring Growth and Blood Glucose Mechanisms of C57BL/6J Mice

This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and selenium (Se) deficiency on the growth and glucose metabolism of offspring. Female C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups as follows: a control group, a GDM group, a Se deficiency group, and a GDM with Se deficiency group. GDM animal models were established via S961. Pregnant mice fed their offspring until weaning. Then, offspring continued to be fed with a basic diet until adulthood. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured weekly. Se content, oxidative stress indicators, and the protein expression of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were detected. GDM increased susceptibility to obesity in lactating offspring, with gender differences observed in adult offspring. The effect of Se deficiency on SOD activity only appeared in female offspring during adulthood but was shown in male offspring during weaning though it disappeared during adulthood. GDM and Se deficiency increased the risk of abnormal glucose metabolism in female offspring from weaning to adulthood but gradually decreased in male offspring. The influence on the expression of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins showed the same trend. GDM and Se deficiency affected the growth and glucose metabolism of offspring through oxidative stress and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins, and gender differences existed.

Association of maternal thyroid peroxidase antibody during pregnancy with placental morphology and inflammatory and oxidative stress responses

Background

Studies suggest that thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) positivity exposure during pregnancy may contribute to changes in placental morphology and pathophysiology. However, little is known about the association of maternal TPOAb during pregnancy with placental morphology and cytokines. This study focuses on the effect of repeated measurements of maternal TPOAb during pregnancy on the placental morphology and cytokines.

Methods

Based on Ma'anshan Birth Cohort (MABC) in China, maternal TPOAb levels were retrospectively detected in the first, second and third trimesters. Placental tissues were collected 30 minutes after childbirth, placental morphological indicators were obtained by immediate measurement and formula calculation, and cytokine mRNA expression was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) afterward. Generalized linear models and linear mixed models were analyzed for the relationships of maternal TPOAb in the first, second and third trimesters with placental indicators.

Results

Totally 2274 maternal-fetal pairs were included in the analysis of maternal TPOAb levels and placental morphology, and 2122 pairs were included in that of maternal TPOAb levels and placental cytokines. Maternal TPOAb levels in early pregnancy were negatively associated with placental length, thickness, volume, weight and disc eccentricity, while positively correlated with placental IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, CD68, MCP-1, IL-10, HO-1, HIF-1α and GRP78. In mid-pregnancy, maternal TPOAb levels were negatively correlated with placental length, width and area. In late pregnancy, maternal TPOAb levels were negatively correlated with placental length, area, volume and weight. Repeated measures analysis showed that maternal TPOAb positivity tended to increase placental TNF-α, CD68 and MCP-1 while decreasing placental length, width and area than TPOAb negativity. Repeated measures analysis showed that maternal TPOAb levels were positively correlated with placental IL-6, TNF-α, CD68, MCP-1, IL-10, HO-1, HIF-1α and GRP78, while negatively correlated with placental length, area, volume, weight, and disc eccentricity.

Conclusion

There may be trimester-specific associations between maternal TPOAb levels and placental morphology and inflammatory and oxidative stress responses. The effect of maternal TPOAb levels on placental morphology is present throughout pregnancy. Early pregnancy may be the critical period for the association between maternal TPOAb levels and placental inflammatory and oxidative stress responses.

Multidimensional analysis of the essential elements in pregnant women's whole blood and characterization of maternal status by elemental pattern

BACKGROUND

During pregnancy, the fetus needs to obtain a lot of nutrients from the mother, but the micronutrient deficiencies in pregnancy are not clear at present, and there is no reliable basis for nutrient intake and supplement. The purpose of this study was to understand the levels of essential elements in whole blood of pregnant women during various pregnancy stages at different ages and in different regions, to evaluate the deficiency of essential elements in Chinese pregnant women, and to explore the feasibility of using the elemental pattern to characterize maternal status.

METHODS

Whole blood samples of 11222 healthy pregnant women enrolled in different areas of China from Jan-Dec 2019, were analyzed for concentrations of six essential elements including Mn, Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg, and Fe, using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. A retrospective comparative study during different pregnancy periods at different ages and in different regions in whole blood essential elements content from non-pregnant normal women and pregnant normal women was developed using multivariate statistical analysis. Principal component analysis evaluation elemental pattern was used to characterize pregnancy status of pregnant women.

RESULTS

In general, the levels of six essential elements in whole blood of pregnant women can satisfy the needs of normal physiological activities. With the development of pregnancy, the contents of Cu and Mn increased, while the contents of Fe and Mg decreased, and the contents of Zn and Ca have no noteworthy change. At the same gestation stage, the Cu content in whole blood of elderly pregnant women was higher. There were some differences in whole blood essential elements content of pregnant women in different regions. Principal component analysis and heat map analysis showed the feasibility of using bioinformatics research strategies to identify different pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONS

There are differences in the content of whole blood essential elements of women at different stages of pregnancy in different regions. It was found that there was no obvious deficiency in whole blood essential elements levels of pregnant women in recent years. The pattern of essential elements has a certain application potential in the evaluation of pregnancy and pregnant women's health status.

Effects of selenium levels on placental oxidative stress and inflammation during pregnancy: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Studies on the impact of Se levels in different pregnancy periods on placental function are limited.

AIM

This cohort study sought to investigate the levels of the trace element Se and to assess their effects on placental oxidative stress (OS) and mRNA expression of inflammatory genes during pregnancy.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 2519 pregnant women from the Ma'anshan birth cohort. Se levels were measured in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and in cord blood using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Placental stress and mRNA expression of inflammatory genes were assessed using RT-PCR.

RESULTS

A statistically significant negative association was noted between Se levels in the second trimester of pregnancy and mRNA expression of placental HO-1(β = -0.009, p < .01), HIF1α (β = -0.005, p = .010), GRP78 (β = -0.011, p < .001), CRP (β = -.007, p = .033) and CD68 (β = -0.006, p = .019). A negative association was noted between Se levels in cord blood and mRNA expression of placental HO-1 (β = -0.007, p = .004), HIF1α (β = -0.006, p = .005) and GRP78 (β = -0.009, p = .004). We found that prenatal Se status was associated with placental stress and mRNA expression of inflammatory genes.

CONCLUSION

Se deficiency during pregnancy, especially in the second trimester, leads to the production of OS and an increase in inflammatory mediators, affecting the growth and development of the fetus. Monitoring of pregnant women's nutritional status is necessary to prevent nutritional imbalances and deficiencies in important micronutrients in the fetal.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Preeclampsia complicates 5-10% of all pregnancies and is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The placenta plays a pivotal role in determining pregnancy outcome by supplying the fetus with oxygen and nutrients and by synthesizing hormones. Placental function is highly dependent on energy supplied by mitochondria. It is well-known that preeclampsia is originated from placental dysfunction, although the etiology of it remains elusive.

RECENT FINDINGS

During the last three decades, substantial evidence suggests that mitochondrial abnormality is a major contributor to placental dysfunction. In addition, mitochondrial damage caused by circulating bioactive factors released from the placenta may cause endothelial dysfunction and subsequent elevation in maternal blood pressure. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of mitochondrial abnormality in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and discuss therapeutic approaches targeting mitochondria for treatment of preeclampsia.