Changes of glycometabolic genes in placenta of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Objective To investigate the expression of glucose transporter (GLUT1), phosphoglycerate kinase(PGK1) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA) in placentas of women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Methods From June to October, 2014, a total of 20 samples of placentas from women with ICP were included as the study group, and another 20 samples of normal placentas were selected as control group according to random number table. The relative expression levels of GLUT1 mRNA, PGK1 mRNA and LDHA mRNA were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the relative protein levels of GLUT1, PGK1, LDHA were detected by Western blotting assay and immunohistological analysis. There were no significant differences between two groups in age, gestational age, gravidity, parity, birth weight of newborns and placental weight (P>0.05). The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Investigation in Human Being of West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University. Informed consent was obtained from the parents of each participating patients. Results ① There were no statistically significant difference between two groups in the relative expression levels of GLUT1 mRNA, PGK1 mRNA and LDHA mRNA (P>0.05). ② The relative protein levels of GLUT1, PGK1 and LDHA in control group were statistically lower than those in ICP group, which with significant difference (t=3.270, P=0.003; t=4.222, P<0.001; t=3.585, P=0.002). ③ All the proteins including GLUT1, PGK1 and LDHA were detected in the cytoplasma of cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast. Conclusions Under hypoxic conditions in pregnant women with ICP, the increased level of glycolysis may play a role in negative pregnancy outcomes. Key words: Pregnancy; Cholestasis, intrahepatic; Anoxia; Glycolysis; Pregnant women