Maternal Treatments with Folic Acid and Safflower Oil Prevent Matrix Metalloproteinases Overactivity in the Embryo and Decidua from Diabetic Rats

HIGA R; CAPOBIANCO E; KURTZ M; JAWERBAUM A

Santiago de Chile

Congreso; International Federation of Placental Associations IFPA Meeting 2010; 2010

IFPA

Introduction: Maternal diabetes induces embryo malformations, related to the intrauterine pro-inflammatory environment. Maternal treatments with folic acid and safflower oil (enriched in linoleic acid, an endogenous agonist of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs)) can prevent congenital malformations, although the mechanisms involved are unclear. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes involved in developmental processes that can be overactivated in a pro-inflammatory environment. Aim: To analyze the effects of maternal treatments with folic acid (FOL) and/or safflower oil (SAF) on oxidative stress and MMPs activities in the embryo and decidua from control and diabetic rats on day 10.5 of pregnancy. Methods: Diabetes was induced in rats by streptozotocin administration (50 mg/kg) prior to mating. Treatments with FOL (0.5% s.c.) and SAF (6%, dietary supplementantion) were given from days 0.5 to 10.5 of gestation. Isoprostanes and TBARs were measured as indexes of oxidative stress. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were measured by zymography.