Immunological Changes Produced in Rats by Prenatal Exposure to Carbon Monoxide

Abstract

Wistar female rats were exposed to relatively mild concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) (75 and 150 p.p.m.) from day 0 to day 20 of pregnancy. The results show that splenic macrophage phagocytosis of Candida albicans was significantly decreased in 15 and 21 day old male rats exposed to CO (150 p.p.m.) during pregnancy. Moreover, splenic macrophage killing was significantly reduced in 15 day old male pups prenatally exposed to 75 and 150 ppm of CO. Prenatal CO (150 p.p.m.) significantly decreased splenic macrophage O2- release in both 15 and 21 day old pups. CO-induced alterations in the immune system were not observed in 60 day old rats. These findings indicate that gestational exposure to relatively mild concentrations of CO induces in rat offspring reversible immunological changes characterized by an altered splenic macrophage function.

The Association between Ambient Carbon Monoxide Levels and Daily Mortality in Toronto, Canada

“…It is noteworthy that prenatal exposure of rats to CO results in reversible alterations of splenic macrophage functions in young pups, including reduced phagocytosis of Candida albicans, cell killing, and superoxide production. 40,41 This suggests that exogenous CO, and by extension endogenous CO, can have immunomodulation effects. The guanylate cyclase-dependent pathway of CO activity may also increase neutrophil migration, 42 although acute CO poisoning in rats was reported to inhibit neutrophil adherence, through alteration of B 2 integrin activity in response to nitric oxide release by platelets.…”

Tobacco exposure and impaired development: A review of the evidence

“…Offspring exposed prenatally to CO have immunologic and behavioral abnormalities, with altered ontogeny of emotional responsiveness [DiGiovanni et al, 1993;Guistino et al, 1993]. Even at mild levels of prenatal exposure, CO can produce irreversible impairments in learning and memory.…”

Carbon monoxide poisoning in pregnancy

“…Premature delivery is more frequent with carbon monoxide poisoning 26 . A lowering of nonspecific cellular immunity (reduced macrophage capacity for phagocytosis and bactericidal activity) has been observed in rats 27 . Right‐sided cardiomegaly can be seen, caused by an increase in the number of myocardial cells without an increase in their size.…”