ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Placenta accreta (PA) can be life-threatening due to postpartum hemorrhage and may lead to cesarean hysterectomy. We investigated the expression of Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), ß-catenin, E-cadherin (E-CAD), transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx-1), reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in PA compared to controls to determine if alterations may contribute to PA. Materials and methods: Twenty six PA and 31 controls were evaluated immunohistochemically for expression of MMP-2, ß-catenin and E-CAD on villous and extravillous trophoblasts. TGF-ß1 and GPx-1 mRNA levels were evaluated by rt-PCR. We measured biochemical levels of GSH and SOD. Results: Significant increases of MMP-2 immunoexpression, GPx-1 mRNA, SOD and GSH levels, decreases in immunoexpression of E-CAD and ß-catenin and TGF-ß1 mRNA were found in PA. Conclusion: These findings suggest that loss of cell-cell adhesion and increased antioxidants level may have a role in PA.
