Magnesium sulphate prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced cell death in an in vitro model of the human placenta

Abstract

Objectives: To determine if magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄) prevents lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell death in an in vitro model of the human placenta.

Study design: BeWo choriocarcinoma cells were treated with increasing concentrations of LPS (10-1000ng/ml) and MgSO₄ ranging from 1 mM to 100 mM for 24 or 48h. For co-treatments, cells were pre-treated with 1mM MgSO₄ for 1h and 200ng/ml LPS was then added for the remaining 48h. To assess viability an MTT assay was carried out along with nuclear staining to assess pyknotic nuclei. The expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α was examined by real-time PCR.

Results: MgSO₄ had a dose dependent effect of cell viability with a narrow therapeutic window. MgSO₄ (1mM) protected against adverse effects of LPS on cell viability by preventing LPS-induced decreases in cell viability (MTT assay) and protecting against LPS-induced pyknotic changes in nuclear membrane. MgSO₄ also inhibited the elevated TNF-α mRNA expression induced by LPS.

Conclusions: MgSO₄ preserves BeWo cell viability following an inflammatory insult and reduces the mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. These data elucidate a potential therapeutic pathway by which MgSO₄ may be protective in pre-eclampsia.