The aim of the study was to analyze the variables that modify the levels of oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation in non-smoking mothers and their newborns from environmentally distinct localities of the Czech Republic: Ceske Budejovice (CB, an agricultural region) and Karvina (an industrial region). Personal, socio-economic and medical data, concentrations of particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in the ambient air, the activities of antioxidant mechanisms (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and antioxidant capacity), the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in blood plasma/cord blood plasma and urinary levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites (OH-PAHs) were investigated as parameters potentially affecting the markers of DNA oxidation (8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-oxodG) and lipid peroxidation (15-F2t-isoprostane, 15-F2t-IsoP). Significantly higher levels of POPs were detected in the plasma of mothers/newborns from CB (p < 0.001), while increased external levels of B[a]P and PM2.5, confirmed by analyzing urinary OH-PAHs, were found in Karvina subjects (p < 0.001). In mothers, multivariate analysis showed no significant difference in oxidative stress markers (15-F2t-IsoP, 8-oxodG) between the two localities. The analysis further revealed that neither in CB nor, unexpectedly, in Karvina, did PAH exposure affect maternal lipid peroxidation. Significant associations between OH-PAHs and 15-F2t-IsoP or 8-oxodG were observed only in newborns. In addition, multivariate analyses revealed a borderline significant association between locality and 8-oxodG in the urine of all newborns (p = 0.05). In conclusion, not only the maternal exposure of PAHs but also some POPs can negatively affect oxidative stress status in the early-life of newborns.

• Keywords
• antioxidant response and inflammatory cytokines, environmental pollution, lipid peroxidation, maternal exposure to newborn, oxidative DNA damage,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: Oxidative damage to placental DNA can result in negative pregnancy outcomes, including intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and low birth weight (LBW). OBJECTIVE: We investigated associations between the levels of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2´-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), a marker of oxidative DNA damage, in placental DNA, exposure to air pollutants during pregnancy, genetic polymorphisms in 94 selected genes, and pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: We studied 891 newborns who were IUGR- or LBW-affected or normal weight and were born between 1994 and 1999 in the Czech Republic in two districts with different levels of air pollution. RESULTS: We found nonsignificantly elevated 8-oxodG levels in the IUGR-affected group compared with the non-IUGR group (p = 0.055). Similarly, slightly elevated 8-oxodG levels were found in the LBW-affected group compared with the non-LBW group (p < 0.050). In univariate analyses, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with 8-oxodG levels, IUGR, and LBW. Exposure to particulate matter < 2.5 µm was associated with increased 8-oxodG levels in placental DNA and LBW. However, multivariate-adjusted logistic regression revealed that above-median 8-oxodG levels were the only factor significantly associated with IUGR [OR = 1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-2.37; p = 0.022]. Above-median levels of 8-oxodG were associated with LBW (OR = 1.88; 95% CI, 1.15-3.06; p = 0.011). Other variables associated with LBW included sex and gestational age of the newborn, maternal smoking, and haplotypes in the promoter region of the gene encoding mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2). The role of air pollutants in the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes seemed to be less important. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of 8-oxodG in placental DNA were associated with the risk of IUGR as well as LBW. Newborn's sex, gestational age, maternal smoking, and genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region of the MBL2 gene were associated with LBW incidence.

• MeSH
• 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine MeSH
• Deoxyguanosine analogs & derivatives   analysis   MeSH
• DNA chemistry   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Low Birth Weight metabolism   MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Particulate Matter toxicity   MeSH
• Fetal Growth Retardation chemically induced   metabolism   MeSH
• Case-Control Studies MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Pregnancy Outcome * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine MeSH
• Deoxyguanosine MeSH
• DNA MeSH
• Particulate Matter MeSH