In response to oxidative stress, the expression of inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant enzymes are impaired in placenta, but not adipose tissue, of women with gestational diabetes

Abstract

In response to oxidative stress, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) placenta releases less 8-isoprostane and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α. The effect of oxidative stress on other cytokines and antioxidant gene expressions are unknown. The aim of this study is to further explore the antioxidant status and effect of oxidative stress in GDM tissue. Human placenta, omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue from women with and without GDM were exposed to hypoxanthine (HX)/xanthine oxidase (XO). Cytokine release was analysed by ELISA and cytokine and antioxidant gene expression by RT-PCR. Catalase (CAT ) and glutathione reductase (GSR) mRNA expression was higher in GDM (n=18) compared with normal..