Immunohistochemical localization of alpha-tocopherol transfer protein and lipoperoxidation products in human first-trimester and term placenta.

Objective: Pregnancy is described as a state of oxidative stress arising from the high metabolic turnover taking place during feto-placental development and little is known about the balance of oxidation and antioxidation in early human pregnancy. The aim of this study was to analyze placental expression of alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (alpha-TTP) as the major transport protein for the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol as well as the placental expression of two lipoperoxidation products, malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) in early first-trimester and term human placenta.

Study Design: Placental tissue was obtained from 10 pregnancy interruptions at 6-8 weeks gestational age and 10 samples were obtained from term pregnancies after routine cesarean section.