Endothelin-1 and APAF-1 Expression in the Umbilical Cord of Placenta Previa Cases

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes occurring in the umbilical cord of abnormally located placenta previa cases histopathologically and immunohistochemically, together with the clinical data of inflammation and angiogenetic process. STUDY DESIGN: Ten normotensive umbilical cords and 10 placenta previa umbilical cords (a total of 20 umbilical cords) were processed for routine histological tissue processing. The biochemical parameters of patients were recorded. Placentas were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and APAF-1? and endothelin-1 (ET-1) immunostaining. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the comparison of the clinical data of placenta previa and normotensive cases. In the histopathological examination, increased inflammation, cell degeneration, and hyperplasia in endothelial cells were observed in the placenta previa group. It was observed that ET-1 expression and APAF-1 expression in placenta previa umbilical cord increased in endothelial cells and fibroblast cells as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: It is thought that it accelerates the pro-apoptotic process due to the development of inflammation in the endothelium, muscle, connective tissue cells, and amniotic epithelium in the umbilical cord as a result of placenta previa, and it will affect the contractile structure and angiogenetic development in the umbilical cord and make a negative contribution to the nutrition of the fetus. © Science Printers and Publishers, Inc.