[Evaluation of the expression of selected pro- and anti-apoptotic factors in syncytiotrophoblasts of human placenta and changes observed after vitamin supplementation].

Aim: The main aim of the study was to estimate expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in syncytiotrophoblast in placenta obtained from pregnancies complicated by hypertension and to compare results with group supplemented by antioxidants.

Material And Method: The study was performed in High Risk Department of Medical University Lodz. 3 groups of pregnant women were compared: I-pregnancy complicated by hypertension, II pregnancy complicated by hypertension treated by oral administration of antioxidants--vitamin C and vitamin E.III-rd group consisted of healthy women. After delivery incision from central part of placenta was taken on obtained slides due to immunohistochemical reactions the character intensity surface affected by reaction and expression of two proteins involved into process of apoptosis was measured- anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and pro-apoptotic Bax. In every slide ten of random choosen fields were evaluated in 200x zoom using semi-quantative method.

Results: Highest value of Bcl-2 character was found in I-st group, the lowest in III-rd group- healthy women. The lowest intensity surface affected and expression of the reaction was found in II group- treated by antioxidants. The highest value of Bax reaction character and intensity was found in III group comparing to others. The lowest mean surface of syncytiotrophoblast affected by Bax reaction was found in II group. In III-rd group expression of reaction was higher than in both other groups.

Conclusions: In the base of Bcl-2 reaction in syncytiotrophoblast no influence of antioxidants supplementation on apoptosis process that occurs by this path was found. Antioxidants supplementation decrease Bax activity in syncytiotrophoblast, that suggests restriction of apoptosis process despite of changes connected to hypertension.