Abstract
BackgroundCadmium (Cd) is a major environmental pollutant that causes multiple adverse health effects in humans and animals. In this study, we investigated Cd-mediated toxic effects in rats during pregnancy and endocrine intervention in the placenta.MethodsWe exposed pregnant rats to intraperitoneal Cd (CdCl2) at various doses (0, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/kg BW/day) from days 5 to 19 of pregnancy and evaluated the maternal-placental-fetal parameters linked to preeclampsia. We measured the corticosterone level in rat serum and placental tissue by sensitive ELISA and also analyzed the expression of glucocorticoid synthesis enzymes in the placenta.ResultsKey features of preeclampsia (PE), including hypertension, proteinuria, glomerular endotheliosis, placental abnormalities and small fetal size, appeared in pregnant rats after injection with 0.5 mg/kg BW/day Cd. The placental corticosterone production and maternal and fetal plasma corticosterone levels were increased in rats treated with 0.5 mg/kg BW/day Cd (P <0.01). The expression of 21-hydroxylase (CYP21) and 11beta-hydroxylase (CYP11B1), enzymes essential for corticosteroid synthesis, were increased in Cd-exposed placenta (P <0.01). 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD2), a dominant negative regulator of local glucocorticoid levels, was decreased in Cd-exposed placenta (P <0.01).ConclusionsOur study demonstrates for the first time that changes in placental glucocorticoid synthesis induced by Cd exposure during pregnancy could contribute to preeclamptic conditions in rats.
Highlights
Cadmium (Cd) is a major environmental pollutant that causes multiple adverse health effects in humans and animals
Systolic blood pressures for pregnant rats exposed to 0.5 mg/kg of Cd were significantly higher than the blood pressures of rats in the control group (P
Hypothesizing that pregnant rats are more susceptible to Cd toxicity, we exposed pregnant rats to relatively low dosages of Cd and evaluated them for maternal-placentalfetal parameters linked to preeclampsia
Summary
Cadmium (Cd) is a major environmental pollutant that causes multiple adverse health effects in humans and animals. We investigated Cd-mediated toxic effects in rats during pregnancy and endocrine intervention in the placenta. The placenta is a temporarily important endocrine organ, producing many hormones that affect the status of the pregnancy and maternal physiology. Few studies have been conducted to determine the endocrine effect of Cd exposure during pregnancy [14]. Cd exposure during pregnancy increases the levels of circulating corticosterone – the main active glucocorticoids (GC) in rodents – in mothers and offspring, suggesting an involvement of the GC system in some of the toxic effects induced by Cd [15]. This paper presents a hypothesis suggesting the involvement of Cd in the etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia based on the endocrine intervention to placenta
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
