P-glycoprotein expression of the human placenta during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the placental expression of P-glycoprotein shows a quantitative difference during pregnancy.


METHODS
Villous tissue was collected from chorionic villus samples (13-14 weeks of gestation; n = 3 and 20-25 weeks of gestation; n = 4) and from full-term placentas (38-41 weeks of gestation; n = 28). P-glycoprotein was detected by western blot analysis and quantified by densitometry.


RESULTS
We showed for the first time a significant and progressive two-fold decrease in the mean expression of P-glycoprotein between early and late samples, with a major overlap of values.


CONCLUSIONS
As P-glycoprotein appears to be involved in drug extrusion, these data suggest that the placenta's ability to protect the fetus from xenobiotics is greater in early pregnancy than at term.
Gil
S
S
UPRES 2706, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Paris-Sud, 92296 Châtenay-Malabry cedex, France. sophie.gil@cep.u-psud.fr
Saura
R
R
Forestier
F
F
Farinotti
R
R
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1