8/13/2019 Bcl 1

1/2

BJOG 2000,107 1),pp. 13S134

B cell leukaemiaAymphoma 2 protein concentrationsduring normal pregnancy

*M. Buemi Associate Professor (Nephrology), A.Allegra Medical Doctor, E orica Medical Doctol;**R.DAnna Medical Doctor, *A. Ruello Medical Doctor,**V.M. JasonniAssociate Professor (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

Chairof Nephrology, Departmentof Internal Medicine, tnstituteof Obstetrics and Gynaecoloa, Universityof Messina, ItalyWe evaluated bcl-2 protein levels in whole blood, and intraerythrocytic products of lipoperoxida-tion, in 65 healthy pregnant primiparous women at the end of the first, second and third trimestersof pregnancy. During pregnancy we found a progressive increase in concentrations of bcl-2 andintraerythrocytic products of lipoperoxidation. Moreover, a positive correlation was foundbetween bcl-2 concentrations and lipoperoxidation products, and between bcl-2 protein, E2 andprogesterone. The results show that modifications occurring during pregnancy are accompaniedby variations of bcl-2 protein.

IntroductionThe pro-oncogene B-cell leukaemidymphoma-2 (bcl-2) is a protein involved in apoptosis, and by controllingprogrammed cellular death plays a role in the mainte-nance of adequate cellular homeostasis. In a paper pub-lished recently, Otsuki e t aL2 showed a variation inendometrial bcl-2 protein expression during differentphases of the menstrual cycle. Proto-oncogenic expres-sion by glandular cells increased during the proliferativeand early secretory phases, while it diminished in thelate secretory phase. Cyclical expression was similar tothat of oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Theauthors concluded that endometrial bcl-2 proteinexpression appears to be regulated by ovarian hor-mones.

We set out to evaluate bcl-2 protein levels in wholeblood ly sates during pregnancy, another physiologicalcondition characterised by progressive variations inendocrinal ovarian production. Lipoperoxidation wasfurther determined throughout pregnancy in anattempt to ascertain whether bcl-2 concentrations arein some way correlated with the activity of oxygenradicals.

MethodsThe study was conducted on 6 nonsmoking, healthypregnant primiparous women whose mean (SD) age was25 5 ) years. Each had a singleton full term pregnancy.

Correspondence: Professor M. Buemi, Via Salita Villa Contino30,98100Messina, Italy.

Blood samples, drawn from all women at the end of thefirst, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, werefrozen. After labour, the following parameters wereassayed: bcl-2 protein levels in whole blood lysates(BCL-2 test Elisa kit; T CELL Diagnostic Inc, Wobrun,Massachusetts, USA) [Performance characteristics:sensitivity

8/13/2019 Bcl 1

2/2

134 S H O R T C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

** 16114

200

150

100

50

0 II llnglml)

bcl-2 Wml)

E l nglrnl)E2 nglml)TBARS (nmol/gr Hb)

Fig.1. Plasma concentration of progesterone (P), oestmne (El), 17-p estradiol (E2). thiobarbituric acid reactive substances TBARS), in raery-throcytic products of lipoperoxidation, bcl-2 protein levels in w hole blood lysates, from healthy pregnant primiparae i n the first (I), second 01 andthird m)rimesters of non nal pregnancy. Values a re given as mean SD. *P