The effect of oxidative stress induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide under distinct folic acid conditions: An in vitro study using cultured human trophoblast-derived cells

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder characterized by high maternal blood pressure, fetal growth restriction and intrauterine hypoxia. Folic acid is a vitamin required during pregnancy. In this work, we investigated the relationship between preeclampsia and the intake of distinct doses of folic acid during pregnancy. Considering that preeclampsia is associated with increased placental oxidative stress levels, we investigated the effect of oxidative stress induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBH) in human trophoblast-derived cells cultured upon deficient/low, physiological and supra-physiological folic acid levels. The negative effect of TBH upon thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total, reduced and oxidized glutathione, cell viability, cell proliferation, culture growth and cell migration was more marked under folic acid excess. This study suggests more attention on the dose administered, and ultimately, on the overall folic acid levels during pregnancy, in the context of preeclampsia risk.