Effect of Selenium and Iodine on Oxidative Stress in the First Trimester Human Placenta Explants

Nahal Habibi, Agatha Labrinidis, Shalem Yiner-Lee Leemaqz, Tanja Jankovic-Karasoulos, Dylan McCullough, Jessica A Grieger, Sarah Gilbert, Carmela Ricciardelli, Shao Jia Zhou, Anthony V Perkins, Claire T Roberts, Tina Bianco-Miotto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Imbalanced maternal micronutrient status, poor placentation, and oxidative stress are associated with greater risk of pregnancy complications, which impact mother and offspring health. As selenium, iodine, and copper are essential micronutrients with key roles in antioxidant systems, this study investigated their potential protective effects on placenta against oxidative stress. First trimester human placenta explants were treated with different concentrations of selenium (sodium selenite), iodine (potassium iodide), their combination or copper (copper (II) sulfate). The concentrations represented deficient, physiological, or super physiological levels. Oxidative stress was induced by menadione or antimycin. Placenta explants were collected, fixed, processed, and embedded for laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA ICP-MS) element imaging or immunohistochemical labelling. LA ICP-MS showed that placenta could uptake selenium and copper from the media. Sodium selenite and potassium iodide reduced DNA damage and apoptosis ( p < 0.05). Following oxidative stress induction, a higher concentration of sodium selenite (1.6 µM) was needed to reduce DNA damage and apoptosis while both concentrations of potassium iodide (0.5 and 1 µM) were protective ( p < 0.05). A high concentration of copper (40 µM) increased apoptosis and DNA damage but this effect was no longer significant after induction of oxidative stress. Micronutrients supplementation can increase their content within the placenta and an optimal maternal micronutrient level is essential for placenta health.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNutrients
Volume13
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 28 Feb 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antioxidants/pharmacology
  • Apoptosis/drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation/drug effects
  • Copper/metabolism
  • DNA Damage/drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iodine/metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress/drug effects
  • Placenta/drug effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First
  • Selenium/metabolism
  • Tissue Culture Techniques

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