Martsenyuk O. Folate-related processes in human placenta: role of folic acid, homocysteine and polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene

Object: the folate-related metabolism of homocysteine in human placenta. Aim: to characterize folate-related processes in human placenta under the influence of homocysteine and folic acid, connection with polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and after uncomplicated and complicated with preeclampsia pregnancies. Methods: biochemical, molecular biology. The low content of folate and methionine and the high content of homocysteine were detected in the samples with C677T MTHFR genotype from preeclampsia pregnancies. For the first time we proved the expression of cystathionine beta-synthase and activity of transsulfuration pathway in human placenta in the first and third trimesters of gestation. The homocysteine (20-40 mkM) in culture medium activated the transsulfuration pathway, down regulated proliferation and up regulated apoptosis in placental explants from the first and the third trimesters of gestation. The high concentration of homocysteine (80 mkM) disturbs the structure of villous. The addition of folic acid didn't reverse the cytotoxic effect of homocysteine. Scope: the organization of a medical and biologic profile.