Monoamine oxidase activity in placenta in relation to manganese, cadmium, lead, and mercury at delivery

• Published in: Neurotoxicology and teratology Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 256 - 261
• Main Authors: Abdelouahab, Nadia, Huel, Guy, Suvorov, Alexander, Foliguet, Bernard, Goua, Valérie, Debotte, Ginette, Sahuquillo, Josianne, Charles, Marie-Aline, Takser, Larissa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2010
• Subjects: Adult; Biomarkers - analysis; Biomarkers - metabolism; Cadmium; Cadmium - adverse effects; Cadmium - analysis; Cadmium - blood; Cohort Studies; Delivery, Obstetric; Emergency; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Lead; Lead - adverse effects; Lead - analysis; Lead - blood; Manganese; Manganese - adverse effects; Manganese - analysis; Manganese - blood; Medical Education; Mercury; Mercury - adverse effects; Mercury - analysis; Mercury - blood; Metals, Heavy - adverse effects; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Metals, Heavy - blood; Monoamine oxidase; Monoamine Oxidase - drug effects; Monoamine Oxidase - genetics; Monoamine Oxidase - metabolism; Neurotoxicity Syndromes - diagnosis; Neurotoxicity Syndromes - enzymology; Neurotoxicity Syndromes - physiopathology; Placenta - drug effects; Placenta - enzymology; Placenta - physiopathology; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - metabolism; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - physiopathology; RNA, Messenger - drug effects; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Young Adult; Pregnancy; Lead; Cadmium; Monoamine oxidase; Mercury; Manganese
• ISSN: 0892-0362; 1872-9738; 1872-9738
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2009.08.010

Environmental prenatal exposure to potentially neurotoxic metals poses a particular challenge with regard to the study of early toxic effects. Monoamine oxidase activity, shown to be influenced by metals in experimental studies, could be a useful biomarker in humans. To examine the relationship between blood metal concentrations at delivery and placenta MAO activity. The study was performed in 163 pregnancies. Maternal and cord blood samples were obtained for manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) determination. Mercury (Hg) was also analysed in maternal hair. Placental samples were stored immediately after expulsion and total MAO activity was measured. MAO activity was significantly positively correlated with maternal and cord blood Mn concentrations in subjects with high MAO activity. In subjects with low MAO activity, maternal hair Hg was negatively correlated with MAO. Our results suggest the use of placental MAO as a potential surrogate marker of Mn toxicity in the newborn and its correlation with psychomotor development should be further investigated.