[Stereological study on syncytial cell of human placenta and determinations of total bile acid in cord blood of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation of changes of fetal bile acid and morphologic ultrastructure of human placental syncytial cells in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).


METHODS
Total bile acid of cord venous blood was measured by cycle enzyme method between intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and control groups after birth. The ultrastructure of human placental syncytial cell was analyzed by morphologic study in two groups.


RESULTS
(1) The total bile acid of cord venous blood in ICP group was significantly higher than in control group [(8.6 +/- 3.2) micromol/L vs (4.6 +/- 1.5) micromol/L] (P < 0.05). (2) The amount and number density of syncytial microvilli ultrastructure reduced significantly in ICP group [respectively (21 +/- 12) e/Es, (1.9 +/- 1.3) microm(-3)], compared with control group [respectively (35 +/- 11) e/Es, (4.1 +/- 3.2) microm(-3)] (P < 0.05). The average volume and surface area density of placental syncytial cell in ICP group [respectively (0.1200 +/- 0.0050) microm(3), (2.500 +/- 0.600) microm(2)/microm(3)] were statistically increased compared with that in control group [respectively (0.0500 +/- 0.0010) microm(3), (1.300 +/- 0.400) microm(2)/microm(3)] (P < 0.05). But no significant difference in the volume density of placental syncytial microvilli was observed between two groups (P > 0.05). The average volume, surface area density and volume density of mitochondrion in ICP group [respectively (0.0200 +/- 0.0020) microm(3), (0.600 +/- 0.010) microm(2)/microm(3), (0.0800 +/- 0.0090) microm(3)/microm(3)] were significantly enlarged than in control group [respectively (0.0100 +/- 0.0050) microm(3), (0.500 +/- 0.030) microm(2)/microm(3), (0.0500 +/- 0.0020) microm(3)/microm(3)] (P < 0.05). The average volume, surface area density and volume density of endoplasmic reticulum in ICP group [respectively (0.0200 +/- 0.0010) microm(3), (0.900 +/- 0.010) microm(2)/microm(3), (0.0900 +/- 0.0050) microm(3)/microm(3)] were significantly larger than in control group [respectively (0.0100 +/- 0.0030) microm(3), (0.500 +/- 0.030) microm(2)/microm(3), (0.0500 +/- 0.0010) microm(3)/microm(3)] (P < 0.05). No significant difference in number density of mitochondrion and endoplasmic reticulum between two groups was found (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In ICP, high levels of bile acids may impair cellular organelle, resulting in abnormality of physiological function of syncytial cells, and affecting the synthesis and transportation functions of placenta.
Ding
Yi-ling
YL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
Tang
Ling-ling
LL
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts