Maternal Urinary Metal and Metalloid Concentrations in Association with Oxidative Stress Biomarkers

Abstract

Metal exposure has been associated with a wide range of adverse birth outcomes and oxidative stress is a leading hypothesis of the mechanism of action of metal toxicity. We assessed the relationship between maternal exposure to essential and non-essential metals and metalloids in pregnancy and oxidative stress markers, and sought to identify windows of vulnerability and effect modification by fetal sex. In our analysis of 215 women from the PROTECT birth cohort study, we measured 14 essential and non-essential metals in urine samples at three time points during pregnancy. The oxidative stress marker 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) and its metabolite 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-15-15-F2t-IsoP, as well as prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), were also measured in the same urine samples. Using linear mixed models, we examined the main effects of metals on markers of oxidative stress as well as the visit-specific and fetal sex-specific effects. After adjustment for covariates, we found that a few urinary metal concentrations, most notably cesium (Cs) and copper (Cu), were associated with higher 8-iso-PGF2α with effect estimates ranging from 7.3 to 14.9% for each interquartile range, increase in the metal concentration. The effect estimates were generally in the same direction at the three visits and a few were significant only among women carrying a male fetus. Our data show that higher urinary metal concentrations were associated with elevated biomarkers of oxidative stress. Our results also indicate a potential vulnerability of women carrying a male fetus.

Examination of Trace Metals and Their Potential Transplacental Transfer in Pregnancy

“…Oxidative stress influences many adverse birth outcomes, including preeclampsia, premature delivery, and intrauterine growth restriction [ 10 ]. Since most trace metals, including essential trace metals, are redox-active, they have the potential to boost ROS generation [ 11 ]. Furthermore, due to differences in various metabolic pathways between the fetus and the mother, the fetus is highly sensitive to trace metals, even at low levels of exposure that do not affect the mother [ 12 ].…”

A Systematic Review on Association of Oxidative Stress in Rheumatoid Arthritis Based on Cross-Sectional Case-Control Studies

“…41 Research evidence suggests that it is a promising index for inflammatory disorders promoted by cyclooxygenase. 42,43 The researcher found lower in urinary 8-iso-PGF 2α content in RA patients than that of a normal individual, which was significant.…”

Associations between oxidative stress biomarkers during pregnancy and infant cognition at 7.5 months

“…Oxidative stress, defined as the imbalance between the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant systems in the body, has been proposed as a key mechanism linking chemical and nonchemical stress exposures to cognitive development. For example, numerous epidemiologic studies have shown that prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals, including phthalates, metals, and per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are associated with an increase in multiple oxidative stress biomarkers during pregnancy (Ashrap et al., 2021; Cathey et al., 2021; Ferguson et al., 2015; Taibl et al., 2022). Experiences of stressful life events and socioeconomic deprivation have also been linked to elevated oxidative stress biomarkers in pregnant and nonpregnant populations (Eick et al., 2018; Schiavone et al., 2013).…”