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Liu L, Wen Y, Ni Q, Chen L, Wang H. Prenatal ethanol exposure and changes in fetal neuroendocrine metabolic programming. Biol Res 2023; 56:61. [PMID: 37978540 PMCID: PMC10656939 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-023-00473-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) (mainly through maternal alcohol consumption) has become widespread. However, studies suggest that it can cause intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and multi-organ developmental toxicity in offspring, and susceptibility to various chronic diseases (such as neuropsychiatric diseases, metabolic syndrome, and related diseases) in adults. Through ethanol's direct effects and its indirect effects mediated by maternal-derived glucocorticoids, PEE alters epigenetic modifications and organ developmental programming during fetal development, which damages the offspring health and increases susceptibility to various chronic diseases after birth. Ethanol directly leads to the developmental toxicity of multiple tissues and organs in many ways. Regarding maternal-derived glucocorticoid-mediated IUGR, developmental programming, and susceptibility to multiple conditions after birth, ethanol induces programmed changes in the neuroendocrine axes of offspring, such as the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and glucocorticoid-insulin-like growth factor 1 (GC-IGF1) axes. In addition, the differences in ethanol metabolic enzymes, placental glucocorticoid barrier function, and the sensitivity to glucocorticoids in various tissues and organs mediate the severity and sex differences in the developmental toxicity of ethanol exposure during pregnancy. Offspring exposed to ethanol during pregnancy have a "thrifty phenotype" in the fetal period, and show "catch-up growth" in the case of abundant nutrition after birth; when encountering adverse environments, these offspring are more likely to develop diseases. Here, we review the developmental toxicity, functional alterations in multiple organs, and neuroendocrine metabolic programming mechanisms induced by PEE based on our research and that of other investigators. This should provide new perspectives for the effective prevention and treatment of ethanol developmental toxicity and the early prevention of related fetal-originated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yinxian Wen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qubo Ni
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Liaobin Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Tang M, Liu T, Shen Y, Wang L, Xue Y, Zhao T, Xie K, Gong Z, Yin T. Potential antidepressant-like effects of N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids through inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1877-1889. [PMID: 37612456 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06377-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The growing evidence has demonstrated the importance of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in the pathophysiology of depression. ERS genes were considered to be potential novel therapeutic targets for depression. OBJECTIVES To clarify the mechanisms of the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced ERS response and the potential contributing pathways in depression, and further investigate the potential link between N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and stress-induced ERS disturbances. METHODS This study analyzed the expression of ERS-related genes including GRP78, ATF-4, ATF-6, XBP-1, and CHOP, and sigma-1R with real-time PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) RNA samples from participants. All of the rats except for those in the control groups were subjected to 5 consecutive weeks of CUMS to establish the depression model, and the antidepressant effects of N-3 PUFAs were observed by behavior tests. Moreover, the effect of diet and stress on the ERS pathways was also investigated using the western blot. RESULTS Blood CHOP, ATF-4, and XBP-1 levels were notably elevated in depressed patients relative to healthy individuals. Moreover, increased sigma-1R and decreased ATF-6 implied the protective role of sigma-1R through modulating ERS in patients with depression. Animal studies disclosed the novel findings that supplementary N-3 PUFAs in rats alleviated CUMS-induced disturbance of ERS through the ATF-4/XBP-1/CHOP pathway, implying its potential strategy for depression. CONCLUSION CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors are related to the disturbance of ERS. Furthermore, supplementary N-3 PUFAs might be an effective way to alleviate ERS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mimi Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
- Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
- Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yanmei Shen
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Ying Xue
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
- Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Tingyu Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
- Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Kaiqiang Xie
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
- Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Zhicheng Gong
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Tao Yin
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China.
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Luteolin-7- O-Glucuronide Improves Depression-like and Stress Coping Behaviors in Sleep Deprivation Stress Model by Activation of the BDNF Signaling. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14163314. [PMID: 36014820 PMCID: PMC9412559 DOI: 10.3390/nu14163314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress exposure is a major risk factor for mental disorders such as depression. Because of the limitations of classical antidepressants such as side effects, low efficacy, and difficulty in long-term use, new natural medicines and bioactive molecules from plants with greater safety and efficacy have recently attracted attention. Luteolin-7-O-glucuronide (L7Gn), a bioactive molecule present in Perilla frutescens, is known to alleviate severe inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in macrophages. However, its antistress and antidepressant effects have not been elucidated. The present study aims to explore the antidepressant the effect of L7Gn on stress-induced behaviors and the underlying mechanism in a mouse sleep deprivation (SD) model. L7Gn treatment improved depression-like and stress coping behaviors induced by SD stress, as confirmed by the tail suspension test and forced swimming test. Furthermore, L7Gn treatment reduced the blood corticosterone and hippocampal proinflammatory cytokine levels which were increased by SD stress, and L7Gn also increased the mRNA and protein levels of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which were reduced by SD stress. Additionally, treatment with L7Gn resulted in increases in the phosphorylation of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), which are downstream molecules of BDNF signaling. These findings suggest that L7Gn have therapeutic potential for SD-induced stress, via activating the BDNF signaling.
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Fu Y, Liu H, He L, Ma S, Chen X, Wang K, Zhao F, Qi F, Guan S, Liu Z. Prenatal chronic stress impairs the learning and memory ability via inhibition of the NO/cGMP/PKG pathway in the Hippocampus of offspring. Behav Brain Res 2022; 433:114009. [PMID: 35850398 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Numerous clinical and animal studies have found that antenatal chronic stress can lead to pathological changes the hippocampal development from embryos to adult, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Proteomic analyses provide a new insight to explore the potential mechanisms of this impairment. In this study, gestating rats were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) during pregnant days using nine different stimulations, and the changes of the learning and memory performance and the expression of proteins in the hippocampus of offspring were measured. It was found that prenatal chronic stress led to growth retardation, impaired spatial learning and memory ability in the offspring. Furthermore, prenatal stress caused various degrees of damage to neurons, Nissl body, mitochondria and synaptic structures in hippocampal CA3 region of offspring. In addition, 26 significantly different expressed proteins (DEPs) were found between the two groups by using isoquantitative tag-based relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) proteomics analysis. Further analyses of these DEPs showed that involved with different molecular functions and several biological processes, such as biological regulation and metabolic processes. Among these, the KEGG pathway enrichment showed that learning and memory impairment was mainly associated with the cyclic guanosine monophosphate protein kinase G (cGMP-PKG) pathway. At the same time, compared with OPC group, the NO, nNOS and cGMP level were significantly decreased, and the expression of PKG protein was also dropped. All of these results suggested that pregnant rats exposed to chronic psychological stress might impair spatial learning and memory ability of offspring, by disturbing the NO/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjuan Fu
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Hongya Liu
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Ling He
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, No. 804, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Shuqin Ma
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, No. 804, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Xiaohui Chen
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Kai Wang
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Faqiu Qi
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Suzhen Guan
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China.
| | - Zhihong Liu
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China.
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Zhang X, Liu Y, Li J, Li B, Yang X, Sun Q, Yan J, Wang Z, Liu H. Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and the Risk of Depression in Offspring: a Meta-Analysis. Int J Clin Pract 2022; 2022:5458611. [PMID: 35685596 PMCID: PMC9159193 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5458611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has been related to poor consequences of mental health in offspring. However, it remains unknown whether maternal alcohol drinking during pregnancy is associated with depression in the offspring. METHODS A meta-analysis was performed accordingly. Relevant observational studies were identified from Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases. A fixed-effect or a random-effect model was selected dependending on the between-study heterogeneity. RESULTS Eight cohort studies were included. The heterogeneity was not significant (I 2 = 14%). A meta-analysis with a fixed-effect model showed that PAE was associated with a higher risk of depression in offspring (odds ratio (OR): 2.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.61 to 3.25, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that moderate (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.22 to 2.49, p=0.002, I 2 = 0%) or heavy (OR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.55 to 3.73, p < 0.001, I 2 = 0%) maternal alcohol drinking in pregnancy was associated with depression in offspring, but not for those with low maternal alcohol drinking (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.97 to 1.44, p=0.10, I 2 = 0%). Further subgroup analyses according to study design, timing of PAE evaluation, age at depression diagnosis, and quality scores showed consistent results. Univariate metaregression showed a dose-response association between PAE and offspring depression (coefficient: 0.073, 95% CI: 0.019 to 0.127, p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS Current evidence suggests that PAE may be a risk factor of depression in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing 100096, China
| | - Yanru Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing 100096, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing 100096, China
| | - Binbin Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing 100096, China
| | - Xingjie Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing 100096, China
| | - Qi Sun
- Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, Hebei, China
| | - Jingyi Yan
- Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, Hebei, China
| | - Zhiren Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing 100096, China
| | - Huaqing Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing 100096, China
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Jia Z, Yang J, Cao Z, Zhao J, Zhang J, Lu Y, Chu L, Zhang S, Chen Y, Pei L. Baicalin ameliorates chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression through the BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling pathway. Behav Brain Res 2021; 414:113463. [PMID: 34280458 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can activate the extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) cascade revealing an important role in antidepressant effects. Here, we studied the neuroprotective effect of baicalin (BA) in mice with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced via a BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling pathway. Depression was induced via six weeks of CUMS in male ICR mice, and drug therapy was given simultaneously for the last three weeks. Cognitive dysfunctions were then evaluated via sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT), Morris water maze test (MWM), tail suspension test (TST), and novelty suppressed feeding test (NSF). Western blot and real-time PCR were then used to detect the relative expression of ERK, CREB, p-ERK, and p-CREB. Integrated optical density (IOD) tests of p-ERK and p-CREB were then evaluated via immunofluorescence. The behavior results showed that the cognitive dysfunctions increased in the CUMS group versus the control (CON) group (p < 0.01). There were decreases in fluoxetine (FLU) and BA groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The protein ratios of p-ERK/ERK, p-CREB/CREB and ERK mRNA, and CREB mRNA expression decreased in the CUMS group (p < 0.01) and markedly increased in the FLU and BA groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The IOD value of the p-ERK and p-CREB in the CUMS group was decreased versus the CON group (p < 0.01), and these changes were improved via BA and FLU treatment (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). This study indicated that BA can improve cognitive functions and has antidepressant effects in mice, which may be associated with activation of the BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling pathway in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixia Jia
- Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jiali Yang
- Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Zhuoqing Cao
- Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Turbidity, Hebei Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China
| | - Jinhu Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Turbidity, Hebei Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China
| | - Ye Lu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Turbidity, Hebei Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China
| | - Li Chu
- Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Shaodan Zhang
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
| | - Yuan Chen
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
| | - Lin Pei
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Turbidity, Hebei Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China.
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Prenatal ethanol exposure increases maternal bile acids through placental transport pathway. Toxicology 2021; 458:152848. [PMID: 34217791 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
High maternal serum bile acid level is common and sometimes harmful to the gravida. This study aimed to confirm the bile acid phenotypic change caused by prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) and elucidate its placental mechanism. Pregnant Wistar rats were administered intragastrically with ethanol 4 g/kg⋅d from gestational day 9-20. Total bile acids (TBA) were detected in maternal, fetal serum and placental tissues, increasing significantly in the serum but no significant change in the placental tissues. Meta-analysis was performed and verified the efficacy of the PEE-induced model based on published data from several relevant studies. Mining of microarray data from human and rat placental sources identified the involvement of bile acid metabolism and its significant genes, which were verified by RT-qPCR and western blotting on tissues and treated BeWo cells with the administration of FXR/PXR siRNAs or FXR/PXR agonists. Our examination, consistent with microarray data and wet experiments, showed that organic anion transporter polypeptide-related protein 2B1 (Oatp2b1), multidrug resistance-associated proteins 3 (Mrp3) and breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) expression were increased, while nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (Fxr) was decreased but pregnane X receptor (Pxr) was increased. Furthermore, the interventional experiments confirmed that FXR regulated Bcrp while PXR regulated Oatp2b1 and Mrp3. In summary, PEE could induce high bile acid level in maternal serum and its mechanism is associated with the high expression of BCRP/MRP3/OATP2B1 in the placenta through up-regulating PXR and down-regulating FXR, thereby leading to an excessive bile acid transport to maternal blood via the placenta. Our study provides a novel perspective in terms of placenta, explaining the increased maternal blood bile acids under the toxicity of PEE.
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