The effect of magnesium sulfate on the placental corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF binding protein mRNA expression in perfused human placental cotyledon

Abstract

Objectives: Stress stimuli and inflammation influence the secretion of the placental corticotropin-releasing factor CRF (CRF) that has a significant role in controlling the timing of birth. The CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP) binds CRF with high affinity and inhibits its activity. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) has been known to ameliorate maternal, fetal and gestational tissue-associated inflammatory response. We aimed to study the effect of MgSO₄ on the CRF and CRF-BP mRNA expression levels in perfused human cotyledon.

Methods: Placentas from elective caesarean section were obtained and selected cotyledons were cannulated and dually perfused ex-vivo within 30 min. MgSO₄ (7 mg/dl) was added to the maternal reservoir. Each perfusion experiment was conducted for 180 min. At the end of the experiment, RNA was extracted from the perfused cotyledon, and RT-PCR was performed to quantify the expression of CRF and CRF-BP. Human HPRT gene served as a reference gene.

Results: Perfusion with MgSO₄ (n = 3) induced a significantly lower CRF and higher CRF-BP mRNA expression compared to placentas perfused only with medium (n = 3).

Conclusion: In the human placenta, MgSO₄ possibly exerts its action through different modulation on the CRF and CRF-BP expression.

• Corticotropin-releasing factor
• magnesium sulfate
• placenta

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interests