Oxidative stress and air pollution exposure during pregnancy

Abstract

<jats:p> Chronic air pollution exposure during pregnancy can cause oxidative stress leading to adverse birth outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess and compare oxidative stress response in peripheral lymphocytes isolated from pregnant women from a highly industrialized locale (south Durban (SD); n = 50) and a control with lower air pollutant levels (north Durban (ND); n = 50). Oxidative stress response was measured by quantifying malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and a SuperArray gene panel. Mitochondrial function (adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and mitochondrial depolarization), DNA integrity (comet assay and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) viability) and DNA repair (OGG1) were assessed. Antioxidant response was assessed by quantification of glutathione (GSH) and SOD2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. Levels of MDA ( p = 0.9), mitochondrial depolarization ( p = 0.88), ATP (1.89-fold), SOD2 (1.23-fold) and UCP2 (1.58-fold) gene expression were elevated in the SD group with significantly higher UCP2 protein levels ( p = 0.05) and longer comet tail length ( p = 0.0004). The expression of Nrf2 protein ( p = 0.03) and mRNA levels (−1.37-fold), GSH concentration ( p &lt; 0.0001), mtDNA amplification (−2.04-fold) and OGG1 mRNA (−2.78-fold) activity were decreased in the SD group. Of the 84 oxidative stress-related genes evaluated, 26 were differentially regulated. Pregnant women exposed to higher air pollutant levels showed increased markers for oxidative stress and compromised DNA integrity and repair. </jats:p>

Involvement of NRF2 in Perfluorooctanoic Acid-Induced Testicular Damage in Male Mice1

“…As an adaptive mechanism, NRF2 is quickly up-regulated in cells in response to various stresses, but is down-regulated in cells exposed to an overwhelming or long-lasting oxidative stress [45]. A previous study showed that women with higher exposure to air pollutants had decreased levels of NRF2 mRNA and NRF2 protein expression [46]. Moreover, exposure to environmental pollutant dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene reduced NRF2 mRNA and NRF2 protein expression in HepG2 cells [47].…”

Ozone and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Florida: Identifying critical windows of exposure

“…Evidence from animal and toxicological experiments shows that physiologic responses to environmental factors are associated with hypertension (Nagiah et al, 2015). Inhalation of air pollutants has been found to increase oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and inflammation level among pregnant women (Ghio et al, 2012; Lee et al, 2011; Nagiah et al, 2015; Slama et al, 2008).…”

“…Evidence from animal and toxicological experiments shows that physiologic responses to environmental factors are associated with hypertension (Nagiah et al, 2015). Inhalation of air pollutants has been found to increase oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and inflammation level among pregnant women (Ghio et al, 2012; Lee et al, 2011; Nagiah et al, 2015; Slama et al, 2008). These inflammatory responses have been known to increase the risk of hypertension (Rodrigo et al, 2011), and they may also lead to endothelial dysfunction, autonomic imbalance, and altered blood rheology (Bind et al, 2012; Brook et al, 2004; Huang et al, 2012; Nodari et al, 2006), all of which can increase the risk of hypertension.…”

“…Pregnant women experience higher cardiovascular burden given the fast and sudden change in blood volume (Ouzounian and Elkayam, 2012) as well as other physiologic characteristics, making them a potentially high-risk subpopulation. Furthermore, air pollution has been shown to have toxicological effects such as increasing circulating markers of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and inflammation (Ghio et al, 2012; Lee et al, 2011; Nagiah et al, 2015; Slama et al, 2008), all of which are associated with cardiovascular effects including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (Fenzl et al, 2013; Sánchez-Aranguren et al, 2014; Zusterzeel et al, 2002). As a result, there are concerns that air pollution may also play a role in the development of HDP (Hu et al, 2014; Malmqvist et al, 2013).…”

Efeitos da exposição materna à poluição na biometria e hemodinâmica fetais

“…Em 2012, Janssen et al (85) observaram que a exposição ao MP 10 , durante o último mês de gestação, foi associada com menor conteúdo de DNA mitocondrial placentário, o que pode refletir a ocorrência de estresse oxidativo. Em 2014, Nagiah et al (86) constataram que 26 genes, relacionados ao estresse oxidativo, foram regulados de forma diferente quando mulheres grávidas foram expostas a elevados níveis de poluentes do ar. A placenta, órgão de troca entre o feto e a mãe, também pode ser afetada pela poluição, influenciando o crescimento fetal.…”