Sapna Prashant Shevade et al / International Journal of Biomedical and Advance Research 2016; 7(7): 323-328. 323 IJBAR (2016) 07 (07) www.ssjournals.com International Journal of Biomedical and Advance Research ISSN: 2229-3809 (Online); 2455-0558 (Print) Journal DOI: 10.7439/ijbar CODEN: IJBABN Original Research Article Histochemistry of Placental Alkaline Phosphatase in Preeclampsia Sapna Prashant Shevade *1 , Vasanti Arole 1 , Vaishali Mohan Paranjape 2 , Vaishaly Kishore Bharambe 1 1 Department of Anatomy, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Near Yashwantrao Chavan Hospital, Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India 2 Department of Anatomy, B. J Medical College, Pimpri, Pune 411005 Maharashtra, India *Correspondence Info: Dr. Sapna Prashant Shevade Department of Anatomy, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Near Yashwantrao Chavan Hospital, Pimpri, Pune 411018 Maharashtra, India E-mail: shevadesapna@gmail.com Abstract Objectives: Placental alkaline phosphatase (PALP) is synthesized in placenta and increases with gestational age. Alkaline phosphatase supports pregnancy and could play an essential role in nutrient supply and growth of the fetus. Preeclampsia is a systemic disorder which affects 5 to 7 percent of women worldwide and is a major cause for maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. As it has a major role in fetal growth, nutrition and defense mechanism study of alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity becomes essential. Methods: 50 normal and 50 preeclamptic placentae were collected immediately after delivery from Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Placentae were obtained from known preeclamptic consenting cases who had no history of hypertension before pregnancy or during first 20 weeks of gestation, who had consistently recorded systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 140 / 90 mm of Hg or above and proteinuria ≥ 300mg / 24 hrs. Alkaline phosphatase activity was demonstrated by using modified Gomori’s method. Results: Intensity of PALP localization was stronger in preeclamptic placentae as compared to normotensive placentae. Conclusion: Placental ischemia is evident in preeclampsia. Uteroplacental insufficiency leads to increased syncytial damage in preeclamptic placentae which may lead to abnormally high PALP activity and consequent increase in serum alkaline phosphatase. Keywords: Preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Alkaline phosphatase, Placenta, Ischemia 1. Introduction Placenta is a vital organ playing central role in pregnancy. It maintains pregnancy and promotes normal fetal development and serves as a major organ for transfer of essential elements between mother and fetus. [1] Preeclampsia is a systemic disorder defined as development of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation in previously normotensive woman. Preeclampsia affects 5 to 7 percent of women worldwide and is a major cause for maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia is often associated with intrauterine growth restriction. [2] Human alkaline phosphatase is found in higher concentrations in liver, bile duct, bone, intestines and placenta. [3] Alkaline phosphatase is one of the important enzymes secreted by placenta. Placental alkaline phosphatase (PALP) is polymorphic and heat stable enzyme and high levels of this enzyme is found in trophoblast of placenta. It is localized in apical and basal cells of syncytiotrophoblast plasma membrane. [4] It is synthesized from placental syncytiotrophoblast from the twelfth week of pregnancy and is released into the maternal blood. In early pregnancy PALP activity is low. Measurable levels of PALP appear in maternal serum by the end of first trimester and increases progressively with gestational age and normally peaks at term. [3,5,6] It is said to be involved in nutrient transport from mother to fetus and also in transport of maternal IgG to the fetus.[7] It has a role in active transport of phosphates, absorption of nutrients and uptake mechanism through the plasma membrane.[8,9] Suggestions have been made that this enzyme is involved in transfer of glucose and fatty acids across the cell membrane.[10] Alkaline phosphatase is reported to be concerned with carbohydrate and phospholipid metabolism. It has been used as a biochemical marker in bone diseases and conditions such as prostatic carcinoma and myocardial infarction.[11,12] Thus PALP contributes to the maintenance of fetal health by being involved in defence from toxic substances and nutrient mobilization. The purpose