title: Folate affects apoptosis in human trophoblastic cells.
abstract: Effects of folate deficiency on the rate of apoptosis in human cytotrophoblastic cells has been investigated. Apoptosis was determined in cytotrophoblastic cells after culture in 1. control medium, 2. folate-free medium and 3. folate-free medium plus 10% fetal calf serum. Apoptosis rates in cells cultured in mediums 2 and 3 were significantly higher than those cultured in the control medium (P<0.02 and P<0.03, respectively). In conclusion, human cytotrophoblastic cells show a significantly increased rate of apoptosis in vitro after culture in a folate-free medium. Possible explanations for the association between folate deficiency and pregnancy complications are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Nijmegen St Radboud, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Steegers-Theunissen
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Steegers
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Guilbert
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014327:Trophoblasts