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

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 (10–1000 ng/ml) and MgSO₄ ranging from 1 mM to 100 mM for 24 or 48 h. For co-treatments, cells were pre-treated with 1 mM MgSO₄ for 1 h and 200 ng/ml LPS was then added for the remaining 48 h. 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 (1 mM) 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.