engleski

The effect of metal exposure and metallothionein 2A gene polymorphism on levels of toxic and essential trace elements at childbirth

Increased levels of toxic metals in maternal organism may interfere with transplacental essential element transport to the fetus. We analyzed toxic (Cd, Pb) and essential trace elements (Zn, Cu, Fe, Se) in maternal blood, cord blood and placenta and MT2 polymorphism (rs28366003) in two cohorts of postpartum women who gave birth in maternity hospitals in continental and coastal Croatia (in total N=280). Increased levels of both Cd and Pb were found in maternal blood and placenta due to cigarette smoking. Differences in regional exposure and lifestyle contribute to the increased placental Cd in coastal area. Higher levels of Zn in the placenta of smokers were most probably due to Cd- induced increased MT synthesis in the placental cells making Zn less available to the fetus. In smokers were also increased Cu in umbilical cord blood. No associations were found between MT2A gene polymorphism and trace elements in maternal and umbilical cord blood and placenta. In conclusion, increased toxic metal exposure of expectant mother rather than specific MT2A individual genetic susceptibility is associated with disrupted transplacental essential element transfer that may put at risk fetal growth and development.

metal exposure; MT2A gene polymorphism; trace elements

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