Exposure to low doses of formaldehyde during pregnancy suppresses the development of allergic lung inflammation in offspring

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 2014 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TAAP.2014.05.003· OSTI ID:22439798

Maiellaro, Marília ^[1]; Correa-Costa, Matheus ^[2]; Vitoretti, Luana Beatriz; Gimenes Júnior, João Antônio ^[3]; Câmara, Niels Olsen Saraiva ^[2]; Tavares-de-Lima, Wothan ^[3]; Farsky, Sandra Helena Poliselli ^[1]; Lino-dos-Santos-Franco, Adriana ^[1]

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1. Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo (Brazil)
2. Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo (Brazil)
3. Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo (Brazil)

Formaldehyde (FA) is an environmental and occupational pollutant, and its toxic effects on the immune system have been shown. Nevertheless, no data are available regarding the programming mechanisms after FA exposure and its repercussions for the immune systems of offspring. In this study, our objective was to investigate the effects of low-dose exposure of FA on pregnant rats and its repercussion for the development of allergic lung inflammation in offspring. Pregnant Wistar rats were assigned in 3 groups: P (rats exposed to FA (0.75 ppm, 1 h/day, 5 days/week, for 21 days)), C (rats exposed to vehicle of FA (distillated water)) and B (rats non-manipulated). After 30 days of age, the offspring was sensitised with ovalbumin (OVA)-alum and challenged with aerosolized OVA (1%, 15 min, 3 days). After 24 h the OVA challenge the parameters were evaluated. Our data showed that low-dose exposure to FA during pregnancy induced low birth weight and suppressed the development of allergic lung inflammation and tracheal hyperresponsiveness in offspring by mechanisms mediated by reduced anaphylactic antibodies synthesis, IL-6 and TNF-alpha secretion. Elevated levels of IL-10 were found. Any systemic alteration was detected in the exposed pregnant rats, although oxidative stress in the uterine environment was evident at the moment of the delivery based on elevated COX-1 expression and reduced cNOS and SOD-2 in the uterus. Therefore, we show the putative programming mechanisms induced by FA on the immune system for the first time and the mechanisms involved may be related to oxidative stress in the foetal microenvironment. - Highlights: • Formaldehyde exposure does not cause lung inflammation in pregnant rats. • Formaldehyde exposure suppresses allergic lung inflammation in the offspring. • Formaldehyde exposure induces oxidative stress in uterine environment.

• OSTI ID: 22439798
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Journal Name: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 278; ISSN TXAPA9; ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ANTIBODIES
ASTHMA
FORMALDEHYDE
INFLAMMATION
LUNGS
LYMPHOKINES
OVA
OVALBUMIN
OXIDATION
PARTURITION
POLLUTANTS
PREGNANCY
PROGENY
RATS
SECRETION
STRESSES
SYNTHESIS
TOXICITY
UTERUS
WATER