Oxidative Stress and Placental Pathogenesis: A Contemporary Overview of Potential Biomarkers and Emerging Therapeutics

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2024 Nov 27

PMID 39596261

Authors

Ioana Vornic

Victor Buciu

Cristian George Furau

Pusa Nela Gaje

Raluca Amalia Ceausu

Cristina-Stefania Dumitru

Alina Cristina Barb

Dorin Novacescu

Alin Adrian Cumpanas

Silviu Constantin Latcu

Talida Georgiana Cut

Flavia Zara

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a crucial role in placental pathogenesis and pregnancy-related complications. This review explores OS's impact on placental development and function, focusing on novel biomarkers for the early detection of at-risk pregnancies and emerging therapeutic strategies. We analyzed recent research on OS in placental pathophysiology, examining its sources, mechanisms, and effects. While trophoblast invasion under low-oxygen conditions and hypoxia-induced OS regulate physiological placental development, excessive OS can lead to complications like miscarriage, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction. Promising OS biomarkers, including malondialdehyde, 8-isoprostane, and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, show potential for the early detection of pregnancy complications. Therapeutic strategies targeting OS, such as mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, Nrf2 activators, and gasotransmitter therapies, demonstrate encouraging preclinical results. However, clinical translation remains challenging. Future research should focus on validating these biomarkers in large-scale studies and developing personalized therapies to modulate placental OS. Emerging approaches like extracellular vesicle-based therapies and nanomedicine warrant further investigation for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications in pregnancy-related complications. Integrating OS biomarkers with other molecular and cellular markers offers improved potential for the early identification of at-risk pregnancies.

Citing Articles

Oxidative Stress Induced by Antivirals: Implications for Adverse Outcomes During Pregnancy and in Newborns.

Costa B, Gouveia M, Vale N Antioxidants (Basel). 2025; 13(12.

PMID: 39765846 PMC: 11727424. DOI: 10.3390/antiox13121518.

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