Expression of caspase-3, Bax nad Bcl-2 in placentas from pregnancies complicated by treated and non-treated fetal growth restriction.

BACKGROUND: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is the reason of high prematurity rate and its later complications. Restriction of utero-placental circulation, which could be changed by IURG treatment, plays the main role in FGR. The results of changes in apoptosis-related genes expression due to FGR treatment may help further in the prevention and treatment of FGR.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 expressions in normal pregnancies and those complicated by treated and untreated FGR have been compared. The study was conducted in 2005-2006 at the High-Risk Pregnancy Unit of Medical University in Łódź and Kopernik Hospital in Łódź. Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 expressions were assessed by immunohistochemical method Bcl-2 was assessed in the trophoblast, Bax and caspase-3 in the decidua and the trophoblast.

RESULTS: The mean value of Bcl-2 in the trophoblast was 58.8 +/- 12.7 in the FGR-untreated group, 37.0 +/- 0.5 in the FGR-treated group and 65.7 +/- 6.9 in the control group. In the FGR-untreated group the mean value of Bax expression was 60.6 +/- 10.7 in the trophoblast and 32.0 +/- 7.3 in the decidua. In the FGR-treated group the mean value of Bax expression was 42.2 +/- 12.2 in the trophoblast and 20.9 +/- 6.4 in the decidua. In the control group the mean value of Bax expression was 13.6 +/- 2.2 in the trophoblast and 6.6 +/- 6.8 in the decidua. In the FGR-untreated group the mean value of Cpp-32 expression was 40.1 +/- 9.1 in the trophoblast and 42.6 +/- 12.5 in the decidua. In the FGR-treated group the mean value of Cpp-32 expression was 21.3 +/- 6.8 in the trophoblast and 23.7 +/- 5.1 in the decidua. In the control group the mean value of Cpp-32 expression was 13.6 +/- 6.3 in trophoblast and 11.6 +/- 5.3 in the decidua.

CONCLUSIONS: Increased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins in the placenta might be one of the reasons for FGR development. The treatment used in the FGR group decreased the process of apoptosis.