Effects of zinc on placental gene expression in pregnant rats with fetal growth restriction / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the effects of zinc on placental gene expression in pregnant rats with fetal growth restriction (FGR). Methods: FGR rat model was created, and then 36 pregnant rats were evenly divided into zinc group and control group. From the first day of pregnancy, rats in zinc group were fed on food with zinc supplementation, while those in control group were fed on tradational food. When pups were born 1 month later, Morris maze test and passive avoidance test were used. Gene chips were used to compare placental gene expression. Based on different genes detected by gene chip, we used Western blot to verify protein expression in placental tissues. Results: After training, the scores of Morris maze test and passive avoidance test both improved in both groups. From day 3, the scores in zinc group were significantly better than those in the control group (P of latent period of Morris maze test was 0.013, 0.024, 0.017; P of scores of passive avoidance test was 0.019 0, 0.003 7, and 0.004 3). Totally 346 different mRNAs were detected from the placental tissues by gene chips (P<0.01; 1cell immigration. Analyses by Gene Ontology (GO), Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) showed that the signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway played a key role in the network of protein-protein interaction, and there was a positive correlation between MMP-2/9 and STAT3. Then Western blot was used to detect the expressions of phosho-STAT3, STAT3, MMP-2 and MMP-9. All these proteins were significantly more highly expressed in zinc group than in control group.

Conclusion:

Zinc supplementation may activate STAT3 pathway of trophblast cells in the placenta, and then activate MMP2 and MMP9 in the posterior part of the STAT3 pathway. These can change invasion of trophblast cells, correct placental insufficiency, and protect FGR pups' learning and memory abilities.