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Campesi I, Capobianco G, Cano A, Lodde V, Cruciani S, Maioli M, Sotgiu G, Idda ML, Puci MV, Ruoppolo M, Costanzo M, Caterino M, Cambosu F, Montella A, Franconi F. Stratification of Amniotic Fluid Cells and Amniotic Fluid by Sex Opens Up New Perspectives on Fetal Health. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2830. [PMID: 37893203 PMCID: PMC10604128 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Amniotic fluid is essential for fetus wellbeing and is used to monitor pregnancy and predict fetal outcomes. Sex affects health and medicine from the beginning of life, but knowledge of its influence on cell-depleted amniotic fluid (AF) and amniotic fluid cells (AFCs) is still neglected. We evaluated sex-related differences in AF and in AFCs to extend personalized medicine to prenatal life. AFCs and AF were obtained from healthy Caucasian pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis at the 16th-18th week of gestation for advanced maternal age. In the AF, inflammation biomarkers (TNFα, IL6, IL8, and IL4), malondialdehyde, nitrites, amino acids, and acylcarnitines were measured. Estrogen receptors and cell fate (autophagy, apoptosis, senescence) were measured in AFCs. TNFα, IL8, and IL4 were higher in female AF, whereas IL6, nitrites, and MDA were similar. Valine was higher in male AF, whereas several acylcarnitines were sexually different, suggesting a mitochondrial involvement in establishing sex differences. Female AFCs displayed higher expression of ERα protein and a higher ERα/ERβ ratio. The ratio of LC3II/I, an index of autophagy, was higher in female AFCs, while LC3 gene was similar in both sexes. No significant sex differences were found in the expression of the lysosomal protein LAMP1, while p62 was higher in male AFCs. LAMP1 gene was upregulated in male AFCs, while p62 gene was upregulated in female ones. Finally, caspase 9 activity and senescence linked to telomeres were higher in female AFCs, while caspase 3 and β-galactosidase activities were similar. This study supports the idea that sex differences start very early in prenatal life and influence specific parameters, suggesting that it may be relevant to appreciate sex differences to cover knowledge gaps. This might lead to improving the diagnosis of risk prediction for pregnancy complications and achieving a more satisfactory monitoring of fetus health, even preventing future diseases in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Campesi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (V.L.); (S.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.)
- Laboratory of Sex-Gender Medicine, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Giampiero Capobianco
- Gynecologic and Obstetric Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonella Cano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (V.L.); (S.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Valeria Lodde
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (V.L.); (S.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Sara Cruciani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (V.L.); (S.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Margherita Maioli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (V.L.); (S.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Giovanni Sotgiu
- Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.S.); (M.V.P.)
| | - Maria Laura Idda
- Institute of Genetics and Biomedical Research, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Mariangela Valentina Puci
- Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.S.); (M.V.P.)
| | - Margherita Ruoppolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.R.); (M.C.); (M.C.)
- CEINGE—Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Costanzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.R.); (M.C.); (M.C.)
- CEINGE—Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Caterino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.R.); (M.C.); (M.C.)
- CEINGE—Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.ar.l., 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Cambosu
- Genetics and Developmental Biology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Andrea Montella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (V.L.); (S.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Flavia Franconi
- Laboratory of Sex-Gender Medicine, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
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Lorigo M, Mangana C, Cairrao E. Disrupting effects of the emerging contaminant octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC) on human umbilical artery relaxation. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 335:122302. [PMID: 37536478 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the number one cause of death worldwide. The vascular endothelium may play a role in the pathophysiology of CVD diseases. Octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC) is a UV-B filter (CAS number: 5466-77-3) widely used worldwide in numerous personal care products, including sunscreens, daily creams, and makeup. This UV-B filter is considered an endocrine disruptor. Therefore, this investigation aimed to evaluate the direct effects of OMC in human umbilical arteries (HUAs) with endothelium and the possible mechanisms involved in the response. The results demonstrated that OMC exerts a rapid (non-genomic) and endothelium-dependent arterial relaxant effect on HUAs previously contracted with serotonin (5-HT) and Histamine (His). On the other hand, when HUAs were contracted with potassium chloride (KCl), the relaxing effect was only observed in HUAs without endothelium, and it appeared to be inhibited in HUAs with endothelium. Thus, the vasorelaxant effect of OMC depends on the endothelium and depends on the contractile agent used, suggesting that OMC may act through different signaling pathways. Furthermore, computational modulation studies, corroborated the binding of OMC to all the proteins under investigation (eNOS, COX-2, ET-1, and TxA2), with higher affinity for COX-2. In summary, the vascular effect of OMC may involve activating different pathways, i.e., acting through the NO pathway, COX pathway, or activating the endothelin-1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Lorigo
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal; FCS - UBI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal; C4-UBI, Cloud Computing Competence Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-501, Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Carolina Mangana
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal; FCS - UBI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Elisa Cairrao
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal; FCS - UBI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal; C4-UBI, Cloud Computing Competence Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-501, Covilhã, Portugal.
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Abstract
Although sex differences have been noted in cellular function and behavior, therapy efficacy, and disease incidence and outcomes, the adoption of sex as a biological variable in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine remains limited. Furthering the development of personalized, precision medicine requires considering biological sex at the bench and in the clinic. This review provides the basis for considering biological sex when designing tissue-engineered constructs and regenerative therapies by contextualizing sex as a biological variable within the tissue engineering triad of cells, matrices, and signals. To achieve equity in biological sex within medicine requires a cultural shift in science and engineering research, with active engagement by researchers, clinicians, companies, policymakers, and funding agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine B Allen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA;
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA;
| | - Christopher Ludtka
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA;
| | - Bryan D James
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA;
- Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
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Campesi I, Ruoppolo M, Franconi F, Caterino M, Costanzo M. Sex-Gender-Based Differences in Metabolic Diseases. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 282:241-257. [PMID: 37528324 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism creates different biological and cellular activities and selective regulation mechanisms in males and females, thus generating differential responses in health and disease. In this scenario, the sex itself is a source of physiologic metabolic disparities that depend on constitutive genetic and epigenetic features that characterize in a specific manner one sex or the other. This has as a direct consequence a huge impact on the metabolic routes that drive the phenotype of an individual. The impact of sex is being clearly recognized also in disease, whereas male and females are more prone to the development of some disorders, or have selective responses to drugs and therapeutic treatments. Actually, very less is known regarding the probable differences guided by sex in the context of inherited metabolic disorders, owing to the scarce consideration of sex in such restricted field, accompanied by an intrinsic bias connected with the rarity of such diseases. Metabolomics technologies have been ultimately developed and adopted for being excellent tools for the investigation of metabolic mechanisms, for marker discovery or monitoring, and for supporting diagnostic procedures of metabolic disorders. Hence, metabolomic approaches can excellently embrace the discovery of sex differences, especially when associated to the outcome or the management of certain inborn errors of the metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Campesi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Laboratory of Sex-Gender Medicine, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Sassari, Italy
| | - Margherita Ruoppolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE - Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.ar.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Flavia Franconi
- Laboratory of Sex-Gender Medicine, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Sassari, Italy
| | - Marianna Caterino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE - Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.ar.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Costanzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
- CEINGE - Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore s.c.ar.l., Naples, Italy.
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Sakurai K, Yamamoto M, Eguchi A, Takatani R, Watanabe M, Mori C. Association between maternal antibiotic exposure during pregnancy and childhood obesity in the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Pediatr Obes 2022; 17:e12956. [PMID: 35751177 PMCID: PMC9787574 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between maternal antibiotic exposure during pregnancy and childhood obesity is still unclear. OBJECTIVES The study aimed to evaluate the association between prenatal exposure to antibiotics and obesity at age 3 years using data from a large Japanese birth cohort. METHODS The Japan Environment and Children's Study is a nationwide birth cohort study. In this study, singleton vaginal full-term births were included. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥95th percentile according to child growth standards. Prenatal antibiotic exposure was defined as antimicrobial agent use during pregnancy and was collected from maternal interviews and medical record transcripts. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of prenatal antibiotic exposure with child obesity at 3 years. RESULTS In the crude and adjusted models with all children, maternal antibiotic exposure during pregnancy showed a marginal relationship with child obesity at 3 years. In the analyses according to exposure period and sex, exposure to antibiotics during the second/third trimester was significantly associated with obesity at the age of 3 years in female infants, but not in male infants, although the exposure during the first trimester was not in both sexes. CONCLUSION Maternal antibiotic exposure during mid/late pregnancy may result in child obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Sakurai
- Department of Nutrition and Metabolic Medicine, Center for Preventive Medical SciencesChiba UniversityChibaJapan
| | - Midori Yamamoto
- Department of Sustainable Health Science, Center for Preventive Medical SciencesChiba UniversityChibaJapan
| | - Akifumi Eguchi
- Department of Sustainable Health Science, Center for Preventive Medical SciencesChiba UniversityChibaJapan
| | - Rieko Takatani
- Department of Sustainable Health Science, Center for Preventive Medical SciencesChiba UniversityChibaJapan
| | - Masahiro Watanabe
- Department of Sustainable Health Science, Center for Preventive Medical SciencesChiba UniversityChibaJapan
| | - Chisato Mori
- Department of Sustainable Health Science, Center for Preventive Medical SciencesChiba UniversityChibaJapan,Department of Bioenvironmental Medicine, Graduate School of MedicineChiba UniversityChibaJapan
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Campesi I, Montella A, Seghieri G, Franconi F. The Person's Care Requires a Sex and Gender Approach. J Clin Med 2021; 10:4770. [PMID: 34682891 PMCID: PMC8541070 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10204770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to optimize pharmacology therapy with a consideration of high interindividual variability and economic costs. A sex-gender approach (which considers men, women, and people of diverse gender identities) and the assessment of differences in sex and gender promote global health, avoiding systematic errors that generate results with low validity. Care for people should consider the single individual and his or her past and present life experiences, as well as his or her relationship with care providers. Therefore, intersectoral and interdisciplinary studies are urgently required. It is desirable to create teams made up of men and women to meet the needs of both. Finally, it is also necessary to build an alliance among regulatory and ethic authorities, statistics, informatics, the healthcare system and providers, researchers, the pharmaceutical and diagnostic industries, decision makers, and patients to overcome the gender gap in medicine and to take real care of a person in an appropriate manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Campesi
- Laboratory of Sex-Gender Medicine, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Andrea Montella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Seghieri
- Department of Epidemiology, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, 50124 Florence, Italy;
| | - Flavia Franconi
- Laboratory of Sex-Gender Medicine, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
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Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) constitute the major cause of death worldwide and show a higher prevalence in the adult population. The human umbilical cord consistsof two arteries and one vein, both composed of three tunics. The tunica intima, lined with endothelial cells, regulates vascular tone through the production/release of vasoregulatory substances. These substances can be vasoactive factors released by endothelial cells (ECs) that cause vasodilation (NO, PGI2, EDHF, and Bradykinin) or vasoconstriction (ET1, TXA2, and Ang II) depending on the cell type (ECs or SMC) that reacts to the stimulus. Vascular studies using ECs are important for the analysis of cardiovascular diseases since endothelial dysfunction is an important CVD risk factor. In this paper, we will address the morphological characteristics of the human umbilical cord and its component vessels. the constitution of the vascular endothelium, and the evolution of human umbilical cord-derived endothelial cells when isolated. Moreover, the role played by the endothelium in the vasomotor tone regulation, and how it may be associated with the existence of CVD, were discussed.
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James BD, Allen JB. Sex-Specific Response to Combinations of Shear Stress and Substrate Stiffness by Endothelial Cells In Vitro. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100735. [PMID: 34142471 PMCID: PMC8458248 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
By using a full factorial design of experiment, the combinatorial effects of biological sex, shear stress, and substrate stiffness on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) spreading and Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) activity are able to be efficiently evaluated. Within the range of shear stress (0.5-1.5 Pa) and substrate stiffness (10-100 kPa), male HUVECs are smaller than female HUVECs. Only with sufficient mechanical stimulation do they spread to a similar size. More importantly, YAP1 nuclear localization in female HUVECs is invariant to mechanical stimulation within the range of tested conditions whereas for male HUVECs it increases nonlinearly with increasing shear stress and substrate stiffness. The sex-specific response of HUVECs to combinations of shear stress and substrate stiffness reinforces the need to include sex as a biological variable and multiple mechanical stimuli in experiments, informs the design of precision biomaterials, and offers insight for understanding cardiovascular disease sexual dimorphisms. Moreover, here it is illustrated that different complex mechanical microenvironments can lead to sex-specific phenotypes and sex invariant phenotypes in cultured endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan D James
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, 206 Rhines Hall, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, FL, 32611-6400, USA
| | - Josephine B Allen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, 206 Rhines Hall, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, FL, 32611-6400, USA
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Campesi I, Racagni G, Franconi F. Just a Reflection: Does Drug Repurposing Perpetuate Sex-Gender Bias in the Safety Profile? Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:730. [PMID: 34451827 PMCID: PMC8402096 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines constitute a strategy to reduce the burden of COVID-19, but the treatment of COVID-19 is still a challenge. The lack of approved drugs for severe COVID-19 makes repurposing or repositioning of approved drugs a relevant approach because it occurs at lower costs and in a shorter time. Most preclinical and clinical tests, including safety and pharmacokinetic profiles, were already performed. However, infective and inflammatory diseases such as COVID-19 are linked with hypoalbuminemia and downregulation of both phase I and phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, which can occur in modifications of pharmacokinetics and consequentially of safety profiles. This appears to occur in a sex- and gender-specific way because of the sex and gender differences present in the immune system and inflammation, which, in turn, reflect on pharmacokinetic parameters. Therefore, to make better decisions about drug dosage regimens and to increases the safety profile in patients suffering from infective and inflammatory diseases such as COVID-19, it is urgently needed to study repurposing or repositioning drugs in men and in women paying attention to pharmacokinetics, especially for those drugs that are previously scarcely evaluated in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Campesi
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- National Laboratory of Pharmacology and Gender Medicine, National Institute of Biostructure and Biosystem, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Racagni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Flavia Franconi
- National Laboratory of Pharmacology and Gender Medicine, National Institute of Biostructure and Biosystem, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
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UV-B Filter Octylmethoxycinnamate Alters the Vascular Contractility Patterns in Pregnant Women with Hypothyroidism. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9020115. [PMID: 33530401 PMCID: PMC7912698 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence relating the exposure and/or bioaccumulation of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) with cardiovascular system are arising. Octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC) is the most widely used UV-B filter and as EDC interacts with TH receptors. However, their effects on thyroid diseases during pregnancy remain unknown. The purpose of this work was to assess the short- and long-term effects of OMC on arterial tonus of pregnant women with hypothyroidism. To elucidate this, human umbilical artery (HUA) rings without endothelium were used to explore the vascular effects of OMC by arterial and cellular experiments. The binding energy and the modes of interaction of the OMC into the active center of the TSHR and THRα were analyzed by molecular docking studies. Our results indicated that OMC altered the contractility patterns of HUA contracted with serotonin, histamine and KCl, possibly due to an interference with serotonin and histamine receptors or an involvement of the Ca2+ channels. The molecular docking analysis show that OMC compete with T3 for the binding center of THRα. Taken together, these findings pointed out to alterations in HUA reactivity as result of OMC-exposure, which may be involved in the development and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
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