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Palir N, Stajnko A, Mazej D, France Štiglic A, Rosolen V, Mariuz M, Ronfani L, Snoj Tratnik J, Runkel AA, Tursunova V, Marc J, Prpić I, Špirić Z, Barbone F, Horvat M, Falnoga I. Maternal APOE ε2 as a possible risk factor for elevated prenatal Pb levels. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 260:119583. [PMID: 38992759 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a global contaminant associated with multiple adverse health effects. Humans are especially vulnerable during critical developmental stages. During pregnancy, exposure to Pb can occur through diet and release from maternal bones. Apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) variants (ɛ2, ɛ3, ɛ4 alleles) may influence sex steroid hormones, bone metabolism, and Pb kinetics. We examined the interplay among maternal APOE (mAPOE) genotypes, fetal sex, parity, and Pb in maternal and cord blood (mB-Pb, CB-Pb) using linear regression models. Our study involved 817 pregnant women and 772 newborns with measured adequate levels of zinc and selenium. We compared carriers of the ε2 and ε4 alleles to those with the ε3/ε3 genotype. The geometric means (range) of mB-Pb and CB-Pb were 11.1 (3.58-87.6) and 9.31 (1.82-47.0) ng/g, respectively. In cases with female fetuses, the maternal mAPOE ε2 allele was associated with higher, while the mAPOE ε4 allele was associated with lower mB-Pb and CB-Pb levels. Nulliparity increased the strength of the observed associations. These findings highlight the significance of mAPOE genetics, fetal sex, and parity in prenatal Pb kinetics. Notably, the maternal ε2 allele may increase the risk of Pb exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neža Palir
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anja Stajnko
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Mazej
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka France Štiglic
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Valentina Rosolen
- Central Directorate for Health, Social Policies and Disability, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, 34124, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marika Mariuz
- Central Directorate for Health, Social Policies and Disability, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, 34124, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Ronfani
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Agneta Annika Runkel
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Janja Marc
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Prpić
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Fabio Barbone
- Central Directorate for Health, Social Policies and Disability, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, 34124, Trieste, Italy; Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34129, Trieste, Italy
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ingrid Falnoga
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Piasek M, Škrgatić L, Sulimanec A, Orct T, Sekovanić A, Kovačić J, Katić A, Branović Čakanić K, Pizent A, Brajenović N, Jurič A, Brčić Karačonji I, Kljaković-Gašpić Z, Tariba Lovaković B, Lazarus M, Stasenko S, Miškulin I, Jurasović J. Effects of Maternal Cigarette Smoking on Trace Element Levels and Steroidogenesis in the Maternal-Placental-Fetal Unit. TOXICS 2023; 11:714. [PMID: 37624219 PMCID: PMC10459679 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11080714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluates the interaction of toxic elements cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) due to exposure from cigarette smoking, essential elements, and steroidogenesis in the maternal-placental-fetal unit. In a cohort of 155 healthy, postpartum women with vaginal term deliveries in clinical hospitals in Zagreb, Croatia, samples of maternal blood/serum and urine, placental tissue, and umbilical cord blood/serum were collected at childbirth. The biomarkers determined were concentrations of Cd, Pb, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se), and steroid hormones progesterone and estradiol in maternal and umbilical cord blood and the placenta. Three study groups were designated based on self-reported data on cigarette smoking habits and confirmed by urine cotinine levels: never smokers (n = 71), former smokers (n = 48), and active smokers (n = 36). Metal(loid)s, steroid hormones, urine cotinine, and creatinine levels were analyzed by ICP-MS, ELISA, GC-MS, and spectrophotometry. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy was associated with increased Cd levels in maternal, placental, and fetal compartments, Pb in the placenta, and with decreased Fe in the placenta. In active smokers, decreased progesterone and estradiol concentrations in cord blood serum were found, while sex steroid hormones did not change in either maternal serum or placenta. This study provides further evidence regarding toxic and essential metal(loid) interactions during prenatal life, and new data on sex steroid disruption in cord serum related to cigarette smoking. The results indicate that umbilical cord sex steroid levels may be a putative early marker of developmental origins of the future burden of disease related to harmful prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Piasek
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Lana Škrgatić
- University Hospital Centre, Petrova 13, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.Š.); (I.M.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Antonija Sulimanec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Tatjana Orct
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Ankica Sekovanić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Jelena Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Anja Katić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | | | - Alica Pizent
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Nataša Brajenović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Andreja Jurič
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Irena Brčić Karačonji
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Zorana Kljaković-Gašpić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Blanka Tariba Lovaković
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Maja Lazarus
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Sandra Stasenko
- Merkur University Hospital, Zajčeva ulica 19, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Iva Miškulin
- University Hospital Centre, Petrova 13, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.Š.); (I.M.)
| | - Jasna Jurasović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.P.); (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.); (J.K.); (A.K.); (A.P.); (N.B.); (A.J.); (I.B.K.); (Z.K.-G.); (B.T.L.); (M.L.)
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Angrand RC, Collins G, Landrigan PJ, Thomas VM. Relation of blood lead levels and lead in gasoline: an updated systematic review. Environ Health 2022; 21:138. [PMID: 36572887 PMCID: PMC9793664 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00936-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Millions of tons of lead were added to gasoline worldwide beginning in 1922, and leaded gasoline has been a major source of population lead exposure. In 1960s, lead began to be removed from automotive gasoline. Removal was completed in 2021. OBJECTIVES To determine whether removal of lead from automotive gasoline is associated with declines in population mean blood lead levels (BPb). METHODS We examined published studies that reported population blood leaded levels for two or more years, and we calculated average concentrations of lead in gasoline corresponding to the years and locations of the blood lead level measurements. RESULTS Removal of lead from gasoline is associated with declines in BPb in all countries examined. In some countries, BPb continues to fall after lead has been eliminated from gasoline. Following elimination of lead from gasoline, BPb less than 1 μg/dL have been observed in several European and North American countries, and BPb less than 3 μg/dL have been documented in several studies from South America. DISCUSSION There remain many countries for which no multi-year studies of populations BPb have been identified, including all of Central America, high population countries including Pakistan and Indonesia, and major lead producers including Australia and Russia. CONCLUSION Removal of lead from gasoline has been a public health success. Elimination of lead from gasoline has enabled many countries to achieve population mean BPb levels of 1 μg/dL or lower. These actions have saved lives, increased children's intelligence and created great economic benefit in countries worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth C Angrand
- Department of Internal Medicine, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Geoffrey Collins
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Philip J Landrigan
- Biology Department and Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Boston, MA, USA
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, MC, Monaco
| | - Valerie M Thomas
- H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Use of Generalized Additive Model to Detect the Threshold of δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Activity Reduced by Lead Exposure. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17165712. [PMID: 32784669 PMCID: PMC7460038 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Lead inhibits the enzymes in heme biosynthesis, mainly reducing δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, which could be an available biomarker. The aim of this study was to detect the threshold of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity reduced by lead exposure. Methods: We collected data on 121 lead workers and 117 non-exposed workers when annual health examinations were performed. ALAD activity was determined by the standardized method of the European Community. ALAD G177C (rs1800435) genotyping was conducted using the polymerase chain reaction and restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. In order to find a threshold effect, we used generalized additive models (GAMs) and scatter plots with smoothing curves, in addition to multiple regression methods. Results: There were 229 ALAD1-1 homozygotes and 9 ALAD1-2 heterozygotes identified, and no ALAD2-2 homozygotes. Lead workers had significantly lower ALAD activity than non-exposed workers (41.6 ± 22.1 vs. 63.3 ± 14.0 U/L, p < 0.001). The results of multiple regressions showed that the blood lead level (BLL) was an important factor inversely associated with ALAD activity. The possible threshold of BLL affecting ALAD activity was around 5 μg/dL. Conclusions: ALAD activity was inhibited by blood lead at a possible threshold of 5 μg/dL, which suggests that ALAD activity could be used as an indicator for lead exposure regulation.
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Jiang H, Qin XJ, Li WP, Ma R, Wang T, Li ZQ. LncRNAs expression in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats reveals the potential role of LncRNAs contributing to rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis. Gene 2016; 593:131-142. [PMID: 27511374 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are an important class of widespread molecules involved in diverse biological functions, which are exceptionally expressed in numerous types of diseases. Currently, limited study on LncRNA in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is available. In this study, we aimed to identify the specifically expressed LncRNA that are relevant to adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) in rats, and to explore the possible molecular mechanisms of RA pathogenesis. METHODS To identify LncRNAs specifically expressed in rheumatoid arthritis, the expression of LncRNAs in synoviums of rats from the model group (n=3) was compared with that in the control group (n=3) using Arraystar Rat LncRNA/mRNA microarray and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS Up to 260 LncRNAs were found to be differentially expressed (≥1.5-fold-change) in the synoviums between AA model and the normal rats (170 up-regulated and 90 down-regulated LncRNAs in AA rats compared with normal rats). Coding-non-coding gene co-expression networks (CNC network) were drawn based on the correlation analysis between the differentially expressed LncRNAs and mRNAs. Six LncRNAs, XR_008357, U75927, MRAK046251, XR_006457, DQ266363 and MRAK003448, were selected to analyze the relationship between LncRNAs and RA via the CNC network and GO analysis. Real-time PCR result confirmed that the six LncRNAs were specifically expressed in the AA rats. CONCLUSIONS These results revealed that clusters of LncRNAs were uniquely expressed in AA rats compared with controls, which manifests that these differentially expressed LncRNAs in AA rats might play a vital role in RA development. Up-regulation or down-regulation of the six LncRNAs might contribute to the molecular mechanism underlying RA. To sum up, our study provides potential targets for treatment of RA and novel profound understanding of the pathogenesis of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jiang
- College of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, China; Department of Pharmacy, The first affiliated hospital of Anhui university of Chinese medicine, 117 Meishan Road, Hefei, China.
| | - Xiu-Juan Qin
- Department of Pharmacy, The first affiliated hospital of Anhui university of Chinese medicine, 117 Meishan Road, Hefei, China.
| | - Wei-Ping Li
- College of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, China.
| | - Rong Ma
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA.
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The first affiliated hospital of Anhui university of Chinese medicine, 117 Meishan Road, Hefei, China.
| | - Zhu-Qing Li
- College of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, China.
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