Unit:
Faculty of MedicineLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Dissertation committee:
Γεώργιος Μαστοράκος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Νικόλαος Βλάχος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Πέτρος Δρακάκης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Γεώργιος Δασκαλάκης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Νικόλαος Βραχνής, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ (Επιβλέπων)
Ζωή Ηλιοδρομίτη, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Σοφοκλής Σταύρος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Συσχέτιση ενδοκρινικών διαταρακτών και ακρυλαμιδίου του αμνιακού υγρού με την ενδομήτρια ανάπτυξη του εμβρύου
Translated title:
Endocrine disruptors and acrylamide in amniotic fluid and intrauterine fetal growth
Summary:
Intrauterine growth constitutes a composite of genetic potential and environmental influences. It plays a very important role in both the short-term and long-term health of the newborn, as small and large-for-gestational-age newborns are at increased risk of perinatal and long-term complications. The diet, the products used by the mother and her wider environment have a significant effect on the perinatal outcome. Substances that are consumed by the mother and to which she is exposed, such as endocrine disruptors and acrylamide, can cross the placental barrier, affect fetal growth and have been associated with growth disorders.
Bisphenol a (BPA) is one of the most widespread endocrine disruptors, i.e. substances that can alter the normal homeostasis of hormones, affecting their action, secretion, biosynthesis, transport and metabolism. People can be exposed in a number of ways, including through consumer products, the environment and diet. Bisphenol a has estrogen-mimetic properties and exerts epigenetic and genotoxic effects. Acrylamide is a chemical that is mainly ingested through foods such as French fries, potato chips and cookies and through smoking (inhalation). It can bind to parts of proteins and DNA, just like its metabolite glycidamide, which has greater activity and can cause DNA damage and mutations, being a possible carcinogen and neurotoxic agent.
In the present study, amniotic fluid samples were collected from women who underwent amniocentesis early in the second trimester for medical reasons. Pregnancies were followed up until delivery and birth weights were recorded. The samples were then divided into three groups based on birth weight, as follows: appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) neonates, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates, and those belonging to large for gestational age (LGA) neonates. A total of 35 samples were collected in which BPA was studied and 40 in which acrylamide was studied. BPA was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS), while acrylamide was determined by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
BPA was detected in 80% (28/35) of the samples. Median concentration (in samples with BPA concentration above limit of detection) was 281.495 pg/mL and ranged from 108.82 pg/mL to 1605.36 pg/mL. Higher concentrations of BPA were detected in LGA fetuses than AGA, while SGA showed the lowest concentrations. Differences between groups were not statistically significant at the 5% significance level. BPA levels showed a statistically significant positive correlation with birth weight percentile for gestational age (r = 0.351, p-value = 0.039) and were inversely correlated with gestational age in term pregnancies (between 37 and 41 weeks) (r = -0.365, p-value = 0.031). Acrylamide was detected in 15% of the samples (6/40). Concentrations ranged from 7.1 ng/ml to 1468 ng/ml and were derived from AGA neonates.
In conclusion, detection of substances such as bisphenol a and acrylamide in the amniotic fluid proves that mother's exposure to these environmental factors can affect the health of the fetus, since they have the ability to cross the placental barrier. Exposure to bisphenol a early in the second trimester of pregnancy may contribute to increased birth weight percentiles. Since these substances are widespread environmental pollutants, special care is needed to avoid high exposure during pregnancy, which represents a period of increased vulnerability for the fetus.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Endocrine disruptors, Bisphenol A, Acrylamide, Amniotic fluid, Intrauterine fetal growth
Number of references:
149
File:
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