Effect of docosahexaenoic acid on oxidative stress in placental trophoblast cells.
BACKGROUND
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an indispensable component of cell membranes that is required at high levels during pregnancy.


METHODS
We investigated the effects of DHA (0 to 100 microM) in the placenta on oxidative stress using a trophoblast cell line, BeWo.


RESULTS
Oxidative stress levels (as evaluated using a fluorescent probe) and lipid peroxidation were significantly higher in cells preincubated with 100 microM of DHA. Oxidative DNA damage in cells preincubated with modest levels of DHA (1 or 10 microM) was significantly lower than for untreated cells or cells preincubated with 100 microM DHA. Survival rates of cells preincubated with modest levels of DHA after oxidative challenge (with H(2)O(2) or Xanthine plus Xanthine oxidase) were significantly higher than without DHA preincubation.


CONCLUSIONS
Modest levels of DHA alleviate oxidative DNA damage whereas high levels of DHA accelerate lipid peroxidation. Thus, DHA supplementation during pregnancy may exert oxidative or antioxidant properties via different mechanisms and depending on dosage.
Shoji
Hiromichi
H
Division of Metabolic Disorders and Nutrition, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. hiromichi.shoji@nifty.ne.jp
Franke
Corinna
C
Demmelmair
Hans
H
Koletzko
Berthold
B