Nitric oxide and superoxide impair human placental amino acid uptake and increase Na+ permeability: implications for fetal growth

Based on evidence that thiol and tyrosine reagents inhibit some amino acid transporters, we tested the hypothesis that NO- and O2−-derived free radicals would impair nutrient uptake by the human placenta. Syncytiotrophoblast microvillous plasma membrane vesicles (MVM) and placental villous fragments were exposed to the drug SIN-1 in the presence or absence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and hemoglobin (Hb). The uptake of [3H]arginine, [3H]taurine, and [3H]leucine; [14C]MeAIB; and 22Na was studied in MVM, whereas the uptake of [3H]taurine was examined in villous fragments. Nitrotyrosine formation was assessed by Western blotting and quantified by ELISA. In MVM, SIN-1 caused an inhibition of [3H]arginine, [3H]taurine, and [14C]MeAIB uptake but had no significant effect on equilibrium [3H]leucine uptake. These effects were prevented by SOD or Hb, implying that both NO and O2− radicals were essential. In contrast, 22Na+ uptake was significantly increased, and this effect was prevented by SOD. In villous fragments, SIN-1 impaired Na+-dependent [3H]taurine uptake, with no effect on Na+-independent uptake. Increased nitrotyrosine formation was observed in MVM after SIN-1 treatment. Endogenous NO- and O2−-derived free radicals may alter human placental nutrient transfer in vivo, with implications for fetal growth.