Increased matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in placenta of diabetic rats at midgestation

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in placental remodelling throughout pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus induces alterations in tissue production of NO, a regulator of MMPs activity. The present work evaluates placental and fetal MMPs and NO levels during midpregnancy in neonatal streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MMP-2 and MMP-9 immunolabelling was increased both in the labyrinth zone (p < 0.001) and in the giant trophoblast cells of the junctional zone (p < 0.001) from diabetic placenta, when compared with controls. Also MMP-2 (p < 0.01) and MMP-9 (p < 0.005) activities were increased in both maternal and fetal sides of diabetic placenta when related to controls. In both sides of the diabetic placenta, nitrate/nitrite concentrations (which indicate NO production) were higher than in controls (p < 0.05). An intense immunostaining for nitrotyrosine, indicating peroxynitrite-induced damage, was found in both labyrinth (p < 0.001) and junctional zones (p < 0.001) of diabetic placenta. Enhanced MMP-2 activity (p < 0.05) and NO production were also higher in the fetuses from diabetic rats when compared to controls (p < 0.005). These findings demonstrate alterations in MMPs and NO in the feto-placental unit of diabetic rats, anomalies that are likely to be involved in the developmental alterations induced by maternal diabetes.