Antiseizure medications and fetal nutrients: Effects on choline transporters in a human placental cell line.

Objective: Many nutrients essential to the fetus and for proper function of the placenta itself cannot freely diffuse across membrane barriers, and their transplacental transfer depends on transporters. Our previous studies provided evidence for altered expression of transporters for folic acid in trophoblasts exposed to antiseizure medications (ASMs). The goal of the current study was to explore the effects of older and newer ASMs on the expression and function of uptake transporters for choline, which interacts with folate at pathways for methyl group donation.

The Placental Barrier: the Gate and the Fate in Drug Distribution.

Optimal development of the embryo and the fetus depends on placental passage of gases, nutrients, hormones, and waste products. These molecules are transferred across the placenta via passive diffusion, carrier-mediated cellular uptake and efflux, and transcytosis pathways. The same mechanisms additionally control the rate and extent of transplacental transfer of drugs taken by the pregnant mother.