Assessment of DNA damage in relation to heavy metal induced oxidative stress in females with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)

Abstract

Pregnancy termination consecutively for three or more times during the first trimester is termed as Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). In addition to the abnormal karyotype, heavy metal induced oxidative damage may contribute as prominent etiological factor in pregnancy termination. Oxidative stress is considered crucial in etiology underlying RPL with altered antioxidant status and subsequent DNA damage. The current case controlled study investigated Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), DNA damage (8OHdG) and heavy metals in RPL group (n = 30) and the women with successful pregnancies and no cases of miscarriage as control group (30 women). Heavy metals -Antimony (Sb) and Arsenic (As) were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass spectrophotometry (ICP-MS). There was significant decrease in levels of TAC in RPL group compared to healthy pregnant women ( P < 0.05). On contrary, elevated levels of As and Sb were observed in RPL group with subsequent increase in the levels of 8OHdG ( P < 0.001); indicating extensive DNA damage in these patients. Furthermore, increased levels of As and Sb in RPL group were positively correlated with 8OHdG and negatively with total antioxidant capacity. The outcome of the study provides clear insight of the role of metal induced oxidative stress that plays a vital role in the pathophysiology underlying RPL.

Exploration of the Shared Gene and Molecular Mechanisms Between Endometriosis and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

“…Among them, DNA methylation-induced gene expression disorders and immunological imbalances affect all phases of embryonic development, which may be linked to RPL pathobiology (29). In addition, clinical studies have found that DNA damage induced by heavy metals may be related to the occurrence and development of RPL (30). Multiple modification mechanisms of epigenetics may be involved in the pathophysiology of EMs (31).…”

Synthetic bacteria for the detection and bioremediation of heavy metals

“…Certain heavy metals such as zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) are essential at a trace concentration to maintain life by involving in diverse biological functions ( Appenroth, 2010 ; Kim et al, 2019a ). Heavy metals accumulated at high concentrations can pose toxicity in living organisms by destroying membrane and DNA integrities and inhibiting the activity of proteins ( Kim et al, 2015 ; Alrashed et al, 2021 ). For example, chromium (Cr), arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) induce DNA repair dysfunction and oxidative stresses, and thereby potentially cause cancers in human ( Balali-Mood et al, 2021 ; Luo et al, 2021 ).…”

Impact of some heavy metal pollution on idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion

“…Besides chromosomal abnormalities, genetic factors, uterine and endocrine abnormalities, chronic exposure to heavy metals have been associated with spontaneous abortions, as well as pre-term deliveries and stillbirths. The metalloestrogen cadmium (Cd) has been linked to retardation of fetal development and spontaneous abortions while lead (Pb) levels over a certain threshold have been associated with implantation failure and early pregnancy loss with strong teratogenic impact (Alrashed et al, 2021;Dutta et al, 2021). Elevated Lead and cadmium levels has been associated with premature rupture of placental membranes, premature delivery and miscarriage (MK., 2019; Taylor, Tilling, Golding, & Emond, 2016).…”

“…Oxidative DNA damage accruing from metal induced OS have been implicated in fetal abnormalities and pregnancy termination (Duhig, Chappell, & Shennan, 2016). Higher levels of such HM as antimony and arsenic have been reported in women with RPL (Alrashed et al, 2021). Reduction in antioxidants and increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage have been reported in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (Zejnullahu, Zejnullahu, & Kosumi, 2021).…”

“…Despite intensive and thorough investigations in this eld, most of the RPL cases are with unidenti ed causes. Several studies have investigated the role of dietary and environmental exposure to HM in the etiology of human reproductive failure including idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion based on its well documented association with reproductive toxicity (Alrashed et al, 2021;Bhatia et al, 2015;Dutta et al, 2021). Yet, fewer studies have examined the relationship between exposure to HM contaminated sea food with increasing incidence of recurrent pregnancy loss.…”