F2α-isoprostane, Na+-K+ ATPase and membrane fluidity of placental syncytiotrophoblast cell in preeclamptic women with vitamin E supplementation.

Background: The aim of our study was to analyze F2α-isoprostane level, Na+-K+ ATPase activity and placental syncytiotrophoblast cell membrane fluidity in preeclamptic women who received vitamin E supplementation. Methods: The study was conducted between September 2003 and February 2005 at Budi Kemuliaan Maternity Hospital, Central Jakarta. Samples were 6 preeclamptic women with vitamin E supplementation, 6 preeclamptic women without vitamin E supplementation and 6 normal pregnant women. The dose of vitamin E was 200 mg daily. F2α-isoprostane was measured with ELISA reader at λ of 450 nm. Cell membrane fluidity was measured by comparing the molar ratio of total cholesterol and cell membrane phospholipid concentration. The cholesterol was measured by Modular C800 using Roche reagent. Phospholipid was measured by Shimadzu RF5301PC spectrofluorometer (excitation 267 nm, emission 307 nm). Na+-K+ ATPase activity was inhibited by ouabain. Pi production was measured with Fiske and Subbarow method using spectrophotometer at λ of 660 nm. Data was analyzed using F test with one-way ANOVA. Results: Vitamin E supplementation in preeclamptic women decreased the oxidative stress, indicated by significantly lower level of F2α-isoprostane compared to those without vitamin E (26.72 ± 11.21 vs 41.85 ± 7.09 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.017). Membrane fluidity in syncytiotrophoblast cell of preeclampsia with vitamin E group was maintained at 0.39 ± 0.08 while in those without vitamin E was 0.53 ± 0.14 (p = 0.04). Na+-K+ ATPase activity in syncytiotrophoblast cell membrane was not affected by vitamin E (p = 0.915). Conclusion: Vitamin E supplementation in preeclamptic women decreases F2α-isoprostane level and maintains cell membrane fluidity of syncytiotrophoblast cells; however, it does not increase Na+-K+ ATPase enzyme activity.

Continuous exposure of three successive generations of mice to electromagnetic fields: implication on double minute frequency.

Background: Epidemiological studies indicate increased risk of leukemia, lymphoma, and brain tumor among electrical workers exposed to electromagnetic field (EMF). Other investigator reported that continuous exposure of four successive generations of mice to EMF in doses of 1 kV to 5 kV caused tumor formation in offspring. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of continuous exposure of three successive generations of mice (Mus musculus L) to EMF of 3 kV, 4 kV, and 5 kV and its implication of chromosomal breakage, as detected by double minute formation. Methods: Four couples of mice of Swiss Webster strain, 3-4 months of age, and 7-40 gram of body weight were exposed to EMF at the doses of 3 kV, 4 kV, and 5 kV, and one couple served as control. Double minute formation was examined in all offspring, except one couple of each group to be exposed with the same doses of EMF to get the F2 generation, and so forth until F3 generation. Twenty metaphases of chromosomes were examined and frequencies of double minute were calculated in the three generations of all group. Results: Frequencies of double minute in F1, F2, and F3 of mice exposed to EMF of 3 kV were respectively 0.78 ± 0.08; 0.83 ± 0.09; and 0.80 ± 0.05. In the 4 kV group were 0.083 ± 0.11; 0.73 ± 0.03; and 0.96 ± 0.15, and in the 5 kV group were 0.96 ± 0.25; 0.75 ± 0.05; and 0.99 ± 0.33, whereas no double minute chromosomes were noted in control group. Frequencies of the double minute in mice exposed to EMF were significantly higher than control group. Conclusions: Continuous exposure of mice during three successive generations to EMF at doses of 3 kV, 4 kV, and 5 kV causes increased chromosomal breakage as detected as double minute chromosome formation.

Does VEGF concentration in pre-eclamptic serum induce sVCAM-1 production in endothelial cell culture.

Serum concentrations of VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) are elevated in preeclampsia. In addition to inducing mitosis and increase permeability of endothelial cells, VEGF was reported to activate endothelial cells to produce cell adhesion molecules. Cell adhesion molecules play an important role in the inflammation process by inducing adherence of leukocytes in blood stream to the endothelial cells. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of VEGF in serum from preeclamptic patients on sVCAM-1 (soluble vascular adhesion molecules-1) production in endothelial cell culture. Twelve sera from women with preeclampsia and 11 from women with normal pregnancy (controls) in 20% concentration were added to human umbilical vein endothelial cell culture (HUVEC) and incubated for 24 hours. All subjects have agreed to participate in this study and signed the informed consent form. sVCAM-1 concentration in the supernatant was measured by ELISA. VEGF concentration tends to be higher in preeclamptic serum than control, but the difference is not stastitically significant. The production of sVCAM-1 by endothelial cells exposed to preeclamptic serum was significantly higher than the production by endothelial cells exposed to serum from control (p<0.05). No correlation was found between the difference in VEGF concentrations in preeclamptic and control sera, and sVCAM-1 production by endothelial cell culture.

The effect of continuous exposure to electromagnetic fïeld on four successiYe generations of mice.

The objective of this study is to know the biobgical effects of electromagnetic field treatment on four successive generations of mice. Fourty eight male and female mice of Swiss Webster Strain, 3 months of old, and 35 - 40 g body weight, were kept in a controlled environment and fed a standard diet. Mice were divided into 6 groups of four couples each. The first group was exposed to electromagnetic field of I kV/10 cm, the second group to 2 kV/10 cm, and the third group to 3 kV/10 cm. The remaining 3 groups were served as untreated controls of the first, second, and third group, respectively. Each couple of mice was placed in a cage (26x20x11 cm) with wire metal cage tops. The cages of experimental groups with mice inside, were then put on the negative terminal plate of a pair of parallel aluminium plate electrodes. These cages were perpendicular to the positive electrode plate at a distance of I0 cm. Subsequently, the electrodes were connected to stepup transformer as an alternating current power supply. All mice belonging to experimental and untreated control groups were allowed to mate, gastate, and deliver the first up to fourth generations, During investigation, all generations of experimental groups were continuously treated to electromagnetic field, while generations of untreated control groups received no treatment to electromagnetic field, During the study, all mice were housed in a room having a temperature of 26ᵒ C and a light - dark cycle of 12:12 hours. The results of this study showed that exposure of mice to electromagnitic field results in reduced fertility with no change in sex ratio of the offspring. Exposure to electromagnetic field, however, were effective in inducing congenital anomalies, such as micropthalmy, white eyes, short hind legs, dwarf mice, and tumors in both sexes of the offspring which caused of death after 3 - 4 months of old. A large mortality rate were found, especially in the third and fourth generations. No congenital anomalies and tumors were noted in untreated controls. ln conclusion, we suggest that several facts which found in this study were the result of changes in genetic material of the sperm or eggs during spermatogenesis or oogenesis, respectively, i.e. a mutagenic effect. This interaction between electromagnetic field and the living cell, may then cause biological effects on cells, tissues, and organs, so that finally there are consequences for the whole organisms.