Effects of environmental pollution with aromatic hydrocarbons on endocrine and metabolic  functions of the human placenta

Wierzba, Waldemar; Radowicki, Stanisław; Bojar, Iwona; Pinkas, Jarosław

doi:10.26444/aaem/74406

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Pollutants switch the activity of AhR toward their own metabolism instead of those of endogenous compounds, such as retinol, for example. Similar reasoning has been put forward to explain how elevated levels of aromatic hydrocarbons may lead to impaired placental functioning by reducing the endocrine (gonadotropin, estrogen receptor, and hPL) and metabolic (glutathione transferase, phosphatase, and LDH) activities of the placenta [63].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Expression, Localization, and Activity of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in the Human Placenta

Wakx

Nedder

Tomkiewicz-Raulet

et al. 2018

IJMS

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The human placenta is an organ between the blood of the mother and the fetus, which is essential for fetal development. It also plays a role as a selective barrier against environmental pollutants that may bypass epithelial barriers and reach the placenta, with implications for the outcome of pregnancy. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is one of the most important environmental-sensor transcription factors and mediates the metabolism of a wide variety of xenobiotics. Nevertheless, the identification of dietary and endogenous ligands of AhR suggest that it may also fulfil physiological functions with which pollutants may interfere. Placental AhR expression and activity is largely unknown. We established the cartography of AhR expression at transcript and protein levels, its cellular distribution, and its transcriptional activity toward the expression of its main target genes. We studied the profile of AhR expression and activity during different pregnancy periods, during trophoblasts differentiation in vitro, and in a trophoblast cell line. Using diverse methods, such as cell fractionation and immunofluorescence microscopy, we found a constitutive nuclear localization of AhR in every placental model, in the absence of any voluntarily-added exogenous activator. Our data suggest an intrinsic activation of AhR due to the presence of endogenous placental ligands.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Expression, Localization, and Activity of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in the Human Placenta

Wakx

Nedder

Tomkiewicz-Raulet

et al. 2018

IJMS

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“…Wierzba and Radowicki have shown that the endocrine activity of the placental tissue and the metabolic activity obtained after delivery from women with elevated levels of phenol and 1-hydroxypyrene in the excreted urine is statistically significantly lower compared to patients who are not exposed to aromatic hydrocarbons [28].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proliferation and apoptosis of human placental cells exposed to aromatic hydrocarbons

et al. 2017

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Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the effect of elevated urinary levels of aromatic hydrocarbons (AH) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human placental trophoblast cells obtained in the course of normal pregnancy in an AH-polluted region. Material and methods:Tissue material was obtained for study purposes from 50 afterbirths from Płock as the study group and 50 afterbirths from Kutno as the control group. The extent and intensity of reactions were analyzed. The levels of phenol and 1-hydroxypyrene in the excreted urine of pregnant (in labor) patients were determined by gas chromatography and colorimetry. The proliferative activity of trophoblast cells was assessed using MPM-2 antibodies against phosphoprotein synthesized upon mitotic induction and Ki-67 antigen while the intensity of apoptosis in trophoblast cells was assessed using p53 and bcl-2 oncoproteins involved in apoptosis-regulating mechanisms. The immunohistochemical reactions were assessed for their extent and intensity. Results:The levels of phenol and 1-hydroxypyrene excreted in the urine were statistically significantly higher in patients from Płock region. The proliferative activity of trophoblast cells was statistically significantly higher in the study group (p < 0.05). The activity of oncoprotein bcl-2 was significantly higher in the study group while the activity of p53 was significantly higher in the control group.Pregnancy in an aromatic hydrocarbon-polluted environment has a significantly negative impact on placental tissue. Adaptation mechanisms are induced as manifested by increased proliferative activity within the trophoblast and extensive inhibition of apoptosis in the study group.

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“…In the second phase of biotransformation, the resulting phenolic compounds from the metabolization reactions are conjugated to glutathione, glucuronides, and sulfate esters to enhance the aqueous solubility to finally be excreted in urine ( 38 ). B[a]P (five-ring) is a member of the PAH family that can accumulate in the placenta ( 39 , 40 ) inhibiting trophoblast cells differentiation and proliferation ( 41 ), disrupting the endocrine placental function ( 42 ), disturbing the redox balance ( 39 ) and forming DNA adducts ( 43 ).…”

Section: Air Pollutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cellular mechanisms linking to outdoor and indoor air pollution damage during pregnancy

et al. 2023

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Pregnancies are a critical window period for environmental influences over the mother and the offspring. There is a growing body of evidence associating indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Particulate matter (PM) could trigger oxi-inflammation and could also reach the placenta leading to placental damage with fetal consequences. The combination of strategies such as risk assessment, advise about risks of environmental exposures to pregnant women, together with nutritional strategies and digital solutions to monitor air quality can be effective in mitigating the effects of air pollution during pregnancy.

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Effects of environmental pollution with aromatic hydrocarbons on endocrine and metabolic functions of the human placenta

Abstract: The course of pregnancy in the environment with elevated levels of aromatic hydrocarbons leads to impaired placental functioning and reduced endocrine and metabolic activity of the placenta.

Cited by 7 publications

References 11 publications

Expression, Localization, and Activity of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in the Human Placenta

Expression, Localization, and Activity of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in the Human Placenta

Proliferation and apoptosis of human placental cells exposed to aromatic hydrocarbons

Cellular mechanisms linking to outdoor and indoor air pollution damage during pregnancy

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