Association of maternal smoking with increased infant oxidative stress at 3 months of age

Effect of perinatal nicotine exposure on oxidative stress and BDNF levels in the brain tissue of offspring rats: The protective role of Vitamin E

OBJECTIVE

Nicotine, a well-known neurotoxin, induces oxidative stress in fetal tissues, leading to organ damage and fetal growth retardation. This study aims to evaluate oxidative stress parameters in the brain tissue of rat offspring exposed to perinatal nicotine and assess vitamin E's protective effects.

METHODS

Twenty-five pregnant rats were administered 10 mg/L of nicotine and 300 mg/L of Vitamin E in drinking water starting from the first day of gestation. On gestational day 21, some offspring were euthanized to form the prenatal group. The remaining litters were born naturally, and dams received treatments via drinking water during gestation and lactation (6 weeks). After the lactation period, the pups were weaned and directly treated for an additional 9 weeks, resulting in an overall treatment duration of 15 weeks. Brain tissues were analyzed for MDA, GSH, TOS, TAS, OSI, BDNF, Caspase-3 activity, and histopathological changes.

RESULTS

The nicotine-exposed pups exhibited significantly reduced crown-rump length, body mass, and brain mass compared to controls. Nicotine exposure decreased BDNF, GSH, and TAS levels and increased MDA, TOS, and OSI levels. Histopathologically, the nicotine prenatal group showed a significantly higher number of heterochromatic nuclei in brain tissue. Caspase-3 activity did not show a significant increase in nicotine groups compared to the control. Vitamin E supplementation mitigated nicotine-induced brain damage in some measured parameters.

CONCLUSION

Perinatal nicotine exposure induces oxidative damage in the brain tissue of rat offspring, while vitamin E exerts a protective antioxidant effect, preventing nicotine-induced neurotoxicity. Furthermore, the significant reduction in BDNF levels and the increase in heterochromatic nuclei in the nicotine-exposed groups highlight the detrimental impact of nicotine on neurodevelopment, which can be effectively mitigated by vitamin E supplementation.

Association of secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy with left ventricle structure and function in offspring at 4 years old: a prospective birth cohort study

BACKGROUND

The association of secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy with childhood cardiac alterations remains insufficiently elucidated. This study aims to explore the correlation between maternal passive smoking during gestation with cardiac structure and function of offspring.

METHODS

1089 mother-offspring pairs from the Shanghai Birth Cohort were included. Information on secondhand smoke exposure during each trimester of pregnancy and baseline characteristics was documented during pregnancy via structured questionnaire. Subsequent follow-up assessments, encompassing anthropometric information and echocardiographic evaluation, were conducted from 2018 to 2021, when the children were 4 years old. Multiple linear regressions models were used to explore the association of secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy with left ventricular measurements in early childhood.

RESULTS

Secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy was correlated with increased left ventricle (LV) internal diameter in diastole [LVIDd; β = 0.38, 95%CI: (0.06, 0.70)] and in systole [LVIDs; β = 0.28, 95%CI: (0.02, 0.54)] adjusted for maternal and child characteristics. Specifically, maternal passive smoking in early pregnancy (≤ 12 weeks of gestation) showed a positive association with LV internal diameter in diastole [LVIDd; β = 0.46, 95%CI: (0.14, 0.79)], in systole [LVIDs; β = 0.35, 95%CI: (0.09, 0.60)], end diastolic volume [LVEDV; β = 1.45, 95%CI: (0.26, 2.63)] and end systolic volume [LVESV; β = 0.68, 95%CI: (0.18, 1.19)]. No significant association was observed between secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy and LV function of offspring.

CONCLUSION

Secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy was correlated with subclinical alterations in LV dimensions of offspring, especially during the early stage of pregnancy. Further research is necessary to confirm our findings and to explore the long-term effect of these cardiac changes on later cardiovascular risks.

Associations of Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Genetic Susceptibility with Incident Asthma from a Cohort Study

Maternal smoking during pregnancy exhibited an adverse influence on asthma, but its joint effect with genetic factors remained elusive. Moreover, whether there existed a moderating role of genetic susceptibility in this effect on childhood/adolescent-onset asthma (COA) and adult-out asthma (AOA) was unknown. We employed the UK Biobank cohort to estimate the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on the risk of offspring asthma (41,828 AOA and 15,120 COA). We investigated genetic influence on asthma and assessed the moderating role of genetic susceptibility in this effect by incorporating polygenetic risk score (PRS) and performing a stratified analysis in distinct genetic risk populations. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. We found that participants whose mother smoked during pregnancy were more likely to occur asthma (HR = 1.14, 95%CIs 1.12 ~ 1.16), with similar effects for AOA and COA. Additionally, we observed a significant association between genetic factors and asthma (HR = 1.70, 95%CIs 1.66 ~ 1.74), with a higher genetic influence on COA (HR = 2.16, 95%CIs 2.09 ~ 2.23) compared to AOA (HR = 1.84, 95%CIs 1.76 ~ 1.93). Furthermore, we revealed that genetic factors could modify the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on asthma especially among childhood and adolescents, with participants having high genetic risk versus low genetic risk (HR = 1.13 vs. 1.02, P = 0.035). We provided supportive evidence that maternal smoking during pregnancy and the genetic factors increased the risk of offspring asthma in whole population. We further revealed that genetic susceptibility exerted more pronounced influence on COA compared to AOA, and played a moderating role in this effect.

Elucidating tobacco smoke-induced craniofacial deformities: Biomarker and MAPK signaling dysregulation unraveled by cross-species multi-omics analysis

Tobacco smoke (TS), particularly secondhand and thirdhand smoke, poses a pervasive and intractable environmental hazard that promotes teratogenesis and the progression of craniofacial malformations, although the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Using zebrafish larvae as a model, our research demonstrated a correlation between the increasing concentration of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and the severity of craniofacial malformations, supported by Alcian blue staining and histological assessments. Through a combined mRNA-miRNA analysis and quantitative real-time PCR, we identified miR-96-5p, miR-152, miR-125b-2-3p, and miR-181a-3-3p as pivotal biomarkers in craniofacial cartilage development. Functional analyses revealed their association with the MAPK signaling pathway, oxidative stress (OS), and cell development, highlighting MAPK as a crucial mediator. Single-cell transcriptomics further disclosed aberrant MAPK activation in mesenchymal cells. Subsequent investigations in human embryonic palatal mesenchymal (HEPM) cells confirmed similar patterns of growth inhibition, apoptosis, and OS, and emphasized the cross-species consistency of these biomarkers and the over-activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. A comprehensive tri-omics analysis of HEPM cells identified pivotal genes, proteins, and metabolites within the MAPK pathway. This groundbreaking cross-species multi-omics study unveils novel biomarkers and MAPK pathway perturbations linked to TS-induced craniofacial developmental toxicity, promoting innovative clinical prediction, diagnosis, and interventional strategies to tackle TS-induced craniofacial malformations.

Associations between Smoking and Smoking Cessation during Pregnancy and Newborn Metabolite Concentrations: Findings from PRAMS and INSPIRE Birth Cohorts

Newborn metabolite perturbations may identify potential biomarkers or mechanisms underlying adverse, smoking-related childhood health outcomes. We assessed associations between third-trimester smoking and newborn metabolite concentrations using the Tennessee Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS, 2009-2019) as the discovery cohort and INSPIRE (2012-2014) as the replication cohort. Children were linked to newborn screening metabolic data (33 metabolites). Third-trimester smoking was ascertained from birth certificates (PRAMS) and questionnaires (INSPIRE). Among 8600 and 1918 mother-child dyads in PRAMS and INSPIRE cohorts, 14% and 13% of women reported third-trimester smoking, respectively. Third-trimester smoking was associated with higher median concentrations of free carnitine (C0), glycine (GLY), and leucine (LEU) at birth (PRAMS: C0: adjusted fold change 1.11 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08, 1.14], GLY: 1.03 [95% CI 1.01, 1.04], LEU: 1.04 [95% CI 1.03, 1.06]; INSPIRE: C0: 1.08 [95% CI 1.02, 1.14], GLY: 1.05 [95% CI 1.01, 1.09], LEU: 1.05 [95% CI 1.01, 1.09]). Smoking cessation (vs. continued smoking) during pregnancy was associated with lower median metabolite concentrations, approaching levels observed in infants of non-smoking women. Findings suggest potential pathways underlying fetal metabolic programming due to in utero smoke exposure and a potential reversible relationship of cessation.

Low level of urinary cotinine in pregnant women also matters: variability, exposure characteristics, and association with oxidative stress markers

China has relatively high indoor contamination of nicotine, according to recent publications. Therefore, nicotine exposure risks for sensitive populations such as pregnant women in China are of concern. The variability of its internal exposure levels across three trimesters among pregnant women is not well documented. Factors related with nicotine exposure across pregnancy and its associations with oxidative stress markers are also understudied. Based on a birth cohort, we measured concentrations of cotinine (a major metabolite of nicotine) and oxidative stress markers including 8-OHdG, 8-OHG, and HNE-MA in urine samples collected at three trimesters from 1,155 pregnant women enrolled between January 2014 and June 2017 in Wuhan, China. The variability of urinary cotinine across the trimesters, potential factors associated with it, as well as the relationships between urinary cotinine and oxidative stress markers were assessed in pregnant women with cotinine concentrations of < 50 ng/mL (the cutoff value to distinguish smokers and non-smokers). Urinary specific gravity adjusted median concentrations of cotinine (ng/mL) in the entire pregnancy, first, second, and third trimester were 3.04, 3.32, 3.36, and 2.50, respectively, which exhibited fair reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.47) across pregnancy. Most participants had an estimated daily intake of nicotine higher than the acceptable value (100 ng/kg-bw/day) recommended by the UK and the USA. Maternal age, education level, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and sampling seasons were related to urinary concentrations of cotinine. After adjusting for confounding factors, significant positive relationships (β; 95% confidence interval) were observed between urinary cotinine concentrations and 8-OHdG (0.28; 0.25, 0.30), 8-OHG (0.27; 0.25, 0.29), and HNE-MA (0.27; 0.21, 0.32), respectively (p < 0.01). These results lend insight into the major factors associated with nicotine exposure of pregnant women at environmentally relevant levels and its potential effect on oxidative stress with a large sample size, and warrant the necessity of reducing the exposure in sensitive populations.

Maternal Cigarette Smoking and Congenital Upper and Lower Limb Differences: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Maternal smoking during pregnancy has been associated with adverse effects on foetal development, including congenital limb anomalies. This systematic review aimed to provide an updated assessment of the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and the risk of congenital limb anomalies. A systematic search was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to February 2023. Studies reporting on the relationship between maternal smoking during pregnancy and congenital digital anomalies or congenital limb reduction defects were included. Two independent reviewers screened the studies, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the included studies. Meta-analyses were performed to estimate the pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals using fixed and random-effects models. In total, 37 publications comprising 11 cohort and 26 case-control studies were included in the systematic review. The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant increased risk of congenital limb reduction defects (pooled OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.18-1.38) in infants born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy. Similarly, a significant relationship was observed for the development of polydactyly/syndactyly/adactyly when considered as a single group (pooled OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.25-1.40). Yet, in contrast, no significant association was observed when polydactyly (pooled OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.88-1.27) or syndactyly (pooled OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.77-1.08) were considered individually. This systematic review provides updated evidence of a significant relationship between maternal smoking during pregnancy and increased risk of congenital limb anomalies. These findings highlight the potential detrimental effects of smoking on foetal limb development and underscore the importance of smoking cessation interventions for pregnant women to mitigate these risks.

Intrauterine Smoke Exposure, microRNA Expression during Human Lung Development, and Childhood Asthma

Intrauterine smoke (IUS) exposure during early childhood has been associated with a number of negative health consequences, including reduced lung function and asthma susceptibility. The biological mechanisms underlying these associations have not been established. MicroRNAs regulate the expression of numerous genes involved in lung development. Thus, investigation of the impact of IUS on miRNA expression during human lung development may elucidate the impact of IUS on post-natal respiratory outcomes. We sought to investigate the effect of IUS exposure on miRNA expression during early lung development. We hypothesized that miRNA-mRNA networks are dysregulated by IUS during human lung development and that these miRNAs may be associated with future risk of asthma and allergy. Human fetal lung samples from a prenatal tissue retrieval program were tested for differential miRNA expression with IUS exposure (measured using placental cotinine concentration). RNA was extracted and miRNA-sequencing was performed. We performed differential expression using IUS exposure, with covariate adjustment. We also considered the above model with an additional sex-by-IUS interaction term, allowing IUS effects to differ by male and female samples. Using paired gene expression profiles, we created sex-stratified miRNA-mRNA correlation networks predictive of IUS using DIABLO. We additionally evaluated whether miRNAs were associated with asthma and allergy outcomes in a cohort of childhood asthma. We profiled pseudoglandular lung miRNA in n = 298 samples, 139 (47%) of which had evidence of IUS exposure. Of 515 miRNAs, 25 were significantly associated with intrauterine smoke exposure (q-value < 0.10). The IUS associated miRNAs were correlated with well-known asthma genes (e.g., ORM1-Like Protein 3, ORDML3) and enriched in disease-relevant pathways (oxidative stress). Eleven IUS-miRNAs were also correlated with clinical measures (e.g., Immunoglobulin E andlungfunction) in children with asthma, further supporting their likely disease relevance. Lastly, we found substantial differences in IUS effects by sex, finding 95 significant IUS-miRNAs in male samples, but only four miRNAs in female samples. The miRNA-mRNA correlation networks were predictive of IUS (AUC = 0.78 in males and 0.86 in females) and suggested that IUS-miRNAs are involved in regulation of disease-relevant genes (e.g., A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 19 (ADAM19), LBH regulator of WNT signaling (LBH)) and sex hormone signaling (Coactivator associated methyltransferase 1(CARM1)). Our study demonstrated differential expression of miRNAs by IUS during early prenatal human lung development, which may be modified by sex. Based on their gene targets and correlation to clinical asthma and atopy outcomes, these IUS-miRNAs may be relevant for subsequent allergy and asthma risk. Our study provides insight into the impact of IUS in human fetal lung transcriptional networks and on the developmental origins of asthma and allergic disorders.

Gestational diabetes and childhood asthma in a racially diverse US pregnancy cohort

BACKGROUND

Childhood asthma is a common chronic disease that likely has prenatal origins. Gestational diabetes alters maternal physiology and may influence fetal risk for childhood-onset disease. However, the association between gestational diabetes and child asthma is not well characterized.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between gestational diabetes and wheeze/asthma at approximately 4 years of age in a racially diverse US cohort.

METHODS

We studied mother-child dyads enrolled prenatally in the Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early Childhood study. Gestational diabetes was determined by medical chart review. At approximately 4 years of age, we assessed child respiratory outcomes including parent report of physician-diagnosed asthma (ever), current wheeze (symptoms within the past 12 months), and current asthma (physician diagnosis and/or medication or symptoms within the past 12 months). We used the modified Poisson regression to assess associations between gestational diabetes and child respiratory outcomes, adjusting for maternal age, race, prenatal smoking, pre-pregnancy body mass index, parity, asthma history, socioeconomic status, and infant sex.

RESULTS

Among 1107 women, 66% were African American/Black. Six percent (n = 62) had gestational diabetes documented during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes was associated with increased risk of physician-diagnosed asthma (adjusted risk ratio (RR) [95% Confidence Interval]: 2.13 [1.35, 3.38]; prevalence: 14%), current wheeze (RR: 1.85 [1.23, 2.78]; prevalence: 19%), and current asthma (RR: 2.01 [1.30, 3.10]; prevalence: 16%).

CONCLUSIONS

Gestational diabetes was associated with increased risk of asthma and wheeze outcomes. Additional studies are needed to elucidate modifiable pathways underlying this association.

Offspring sex affects the susceptibility to maternal smoking-induced lung inflammation and the effect of maternal antioxidant supplementation in mice

Background

Cigarette smoke exposure (SE) during pregnancy is the largest modifiable risk factor for the development of lung disorders in offspring. We have previously shown that maternal L-Carnitine treatment can reduce the adverse impacts of maternal SE on renal and brain disorders in offspring. Here, we investigated the effect of maternal L-Carnitine supplementation on lung inflammatory pathways, autophagy, and mitophagy markers in the offspring in response to maternal SE.

Methods

Female BALB/c mice (8 weeks) were exposed to cigarette smoke for 6 weeks prior to mating, during gestation and lactation. Some of the SE dams were given L-Carnitine supplementation (1.5 mM in drinking water, SE + LC) during gestation and lactation. Lungs from the offspring were studied at birth and adulthood (13 weeks).

Results

At birth, in male offspring, there were increased levels of inflammatory markers (phosphorylated(p)-ERK1,2, p-P38 MAPK, p- NF-κB), and inflammasome marker (NLRP3), as well as mitophagy fission marker Drp-1 and autophagosome marker (LC3A/B-II) in the lung. Maternal L-Carnitine supplementation significantly reduced NLRP3 level. In contrast, maternal SE only increased IL1-β in female offspring, which was reversed by maternal L-Carnitine supplementation. At 13 weeks, there was an increase in LC3A/B-II and p- NF-κB in the male SE offspring with reduced p-JNK1,2, which were partially normalised by maternal L-Carnitine treatment. Female offspring were not affected by maternal SE at this age.

Conclusion

Maternal SE had adverse impacts on the male offspring’s lung, which were partially alleviated by maternal L-Carnitine supplementation. Females seem to be less affected by the adverse effects of maternal SE.

Maternal tobacco use: A third-trimester risk factor for small-for-gestational-age pregnancy outcome

Background

Small for gestational age (SGA) is a well-known consequence of maternal smoking. Here, we newly examine the magnitude of SGA risk by week of gestational age.

Methods

Singleton live births (N = 3,032,928) with recorded birth weight, gestational age (22–44 weeks), and maternal tobacco use (Y/N) were categorized as to SGA (Y/N), based on 10th percentile gender-specific weights-for-age.

Results

SGA prevalence among tobacco users (19.5%) and non-users (9.1%) yielded a significant SGA prevalence rate ratio of 2.15 (2.13–2.16) and a significant adjusted odds ratio of 2.36 (2.34–2.38). The tobacco non-users’ rate was steadily near 9% across the week 22–44 gestational age range. The tobacco users’ rate was steady until week 33 when it rose monotonically through week 37 to about 20% at week 38 and remained high. This pattern for SGA by gestational week was similar for prevalence rates and adjusted ORs. Tobacco use only through week 33 was not seen to be an SGA risk factor. The magnitude of tobacco use as an SGA risk factor for late third trimester births increased during the period of preterm birth and became fully evident with a two-fold risk for full term infants.

Conclusion

We newly report the temporal pattern of tobacco-related SGA by week of gestational age. Tobacco-related SGA was only seen for late third trimester births – increasing during weeks 33–37 with a doubling during weeks 38–44. This pattern, informative for issues of mechanism, highlights the potential benefit of extending tobacco cessation programs through the third trimester of pregnancy.

Why Do Intrauterine Exposure to Air Pollution and Cigarette Smoke Increase the Risk of Asthma?

The prevalence of childhood asthma is increasing worldwide and increased in utero exposure to environmental toxicants may play a major role. As current asthma treatments are not curative, understanding the mechanisms underlying the etiology of asthma will allow better preventative strategies to be developed. This review focuses on the current understanding of how in utero exposure to environmental factors increases the risk of developing asthma in children. Epidemiological studies show that maternal smoking and particulate matter exposure during pregnancy are prominent risk factors for the development of childhood asthma. We discuss the changes in the developing fetus due to reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery affected by intrauterine environmental change. This leads to fetal underdevelopment and abnormal lung structure. Concurrently an altered immune response and aberrant epithelial and mesenchymal cellular function occur possibly due to epigenetic reprograming. The sequelae of these early life events are airway remodeling, airway hyperresponsiveness, and inflammation, the hallmark features of asthma. In summary, exposure to inhaled oxidants such as cigarette smoking or particulate matter increases the risk of childhood asthma and involves multiple mechanisms including impaired fetal lung development (structural changes), endocrine disorders, abnormal immune responses, and epigenetic modifications. These make it challenging to reduce the risk of asthma, but knowledge of the mechanisms can still help to develop personalized medicines.

The impact of perinatal nicotine exposure on fetal lung development and subsequent respiratory morbidity

Maternal smoking during pregnancy remains as a significant public health crisis as it did decades ago. Although its prevalence is decreasing in high-income countries, it has worsened globally, along with a concerning emergence of electronic-cigarette usage within the last two decades. Extensive epidemiologic and experimental evidence exists from both human and animal studies, demonstrating the detrimental long-term pulmonary outcomes in the offspring of mothers who smoke during pregnancy. Even secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure to the developing lung might be as or even more harmful than firsthand smoke exposure. Furthermore, these effects are not limited only to the exposed progeny, but can also be transmitted transgenerationally. There is compelling evidence to support that the majority of the effects of perinatal smoke exposure on the developing lung, including the transgenerational transmission of asthma, is mediated by nicotine. Nicotine exposure induces cell-specific molecular changes in lungs, which offers a unique opportunity to prevent, halt, and/or reverse the resultant damage through targeted molecular interventions. Experimentally, the proposed interventions, such as administration of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists can not only block but also potentially reverse the perinatal nicotine exposure-induced respiratory morbidity in the exposed offspring. However, the development of a safe and effective intervention is still many years away. In the meantime, electropuncture at specific acupoints appears to be emerging as a more practical and safe physiologic approach to block the harmful pulmonary consequences of perinatal nicotine exposure.

Epigenetic down-regulation of BKCa channel by miR-181a contributes to the fetal and neonatal nicotine-mediated exaggerated coronary vascular tone in adult life

BACKGROUND

Fetal origin of adult cardiovascular disease is one of the most pressing public concerns and economic problem in modern life. Maternal cigarette smoking/nicotine abuse increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in offspring. However, the underlying mechanisms and theranostics remain unclear. We hypothesized that fetal and neonatal nicotine exposure enhances microRNA-181a (miR-181a) which targets large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (BK_Ca) channels, resulting in increased coronary vascular tone in adult offspring.

METHODS

Nicotine or saline was administered to pregnant rats via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps from gestational day 4 until postnatal day 10. Experiments were conducted in adult (~6 month old) male offspring.

RESULTS

Nicotine enhanced pressure-induced coronary vascular tone, which was abrogated by BK_Ca channel blocker. Nicotine selectively attenuated coronary BK_Ca β1 but not α subunit expression. Functionally, nicotine suppressed BK_Ca current density and inhibited BK_Ca activator NS1619-induced coronary relaxations. Furthermore, activation of BK_Ca increased coronary flow and improved heart ischemia/reperfusion-induced infarction. Nicotine selectively enhanced miR-181a expression. MiR-181a mimic inhibited BK_Ca β1 expression/channel current and decreased NS1619-induced coronary relaxation. Antioxidant eliminated the difference of BK_Ca current density between the saline and nicotine-treated groups and partially restored NS1619-induced relaxation in nicotine group. MiR-181a antisense decreased vascular tone and eliminated the differences between nicotine exposed and control groups.

CONCLUSION

Fetal and neonatal nicotine exposure-mediated miR-181a overexpression plays an important role in nicotine-enhanced coronary vascular tone via epigenetic down-regulation of BK_ca channel mechanism, which provides a potentially novel therapeutic molecular target of miR-181a/BK_ca channels for the treatment of coronary heart ischemic disease.

Cumulative lifetime maternal stress and epigenome-wide placental DNA methylation in the PRISM cohort

Evolving evidence links maternal stress exposure to changes in placental DNA methylation of specific genes regulating placental function that may have implications for the programming of a host of chronic disorders. Few studies have implemented an epigenome-wide approach. Using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (450K), we investigated epigenome-wide placental DNA methylation in relation to maternal experiences of traumatic and non-traumatic stressors over her lifetime assessed using the Life Stressor Checklist-Revised (LSC-R) survey (n = 207). We found differential DNA methylation at epigenome-wide statistical significance (FDR = 0.05) for 112 CpGs. Additionally, we observed three clusters that exhibited differential methylation in response to high maternal lifetime stress. Enrichment analyses, conducted at an FDR = 0.20, revealed lysine degradation to be the most significant pathway associated with maternal lifetimes stress exposure. Targeted enrichment analyses of the three largest clusters of probes, identified using the gap statistic, were enriched for genes associated with endocytosis (i.e., SMAP1, ANKFY1), tight junctions (i.e., EPB41L4B), and metabolic pathways (i.e., INPP5E, EEF1B2). These pathways, also identified in the top 10 KEGG pathways associated with maternal lifetime stress exposure, play important roles in multiple physiological functions necessary for proper fetal development. Further, two genes were identified to exhibit multiple probes associated with maternal lifetime stress (i.e., ANKFY1, TM6SF1). The methylation status of the probes belonging to each cluster and/or genes exhibiting multiple hits, may play a role in the pathogenesis of adverse health outcomes in children born to mothers with increased lifetime stress exposure.

MitoQ supplementation prevent long-term impact of maternal smoking on renal development, oxidative stress and mitochondrial density in male mice offspring

To investigate the effect of maternal MitoQ treatment on renal disorders caused by maternal cigarette smoke exposure (SE). We have demonstrated that maternal SE during pregnancy increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adult offspring. Mitochondrial oxidative damage contributes to the adverse effects of maternal smoking on renal disorders. MitoQ is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant that has been shown to protect against oxidative damage-related pathologies in many diseases. Female Balb/c mice (8 weeks) were divided into Sham (exposed to air), SE (exposed to cigarette smoke) and SEMQ (exposed to cigarette smoke with MitoQ supplemented from mating) groups. Kidneys from the mothers were collected when the pups weaned and those from the offspring were collected at 13 weeks. Maternal MitoQ supplementation during gestation and lactation significantly reversed the adverse impact of maternal SE on offspring’s body weight, kidney mass and renal pathology. MitoQ administration also significantly reversed the impact of SE on the renal cellular mitochondrial density and renal total reactive oxygen species in both the mothers and their offspring in adulthood. Our results suggested that MitoQ supplementation can mitigate the adverse impact of maternal SE on offspring’s renal pathology, renal oxidative stress and mitochondrial density in mice offspring.

Effect of long-term maternal smoking on the offspring's lung health

Maternal smoking during pregnancy contributes to long-term health problems in offspring, especially respiratory disorders that can manifest in either childhood or adulthood. Receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) are multiligand receptors abundantly localized in the lung, capable of responding to by-products of reactive oxygen species and proinflammatory responses. RAGE signaling is a key regulator of inflammation in cigarette smoking-related pulmonary diseases. However, the impact of maternal cigarette smoke exposure on lung RAGE signaling in the offspring is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effect of maternal cigarette smoke exposure (SE), as well as mitochondria-targeted antioxidant [mitoquinone mesylate (MitoQ)] treatment, during pregnancy on the RAGE-mediated signaling pathway in the lung of male offspring. Female Balb/c mice (8 wk) were divided into a sham group (exposed to air), an SE group (exposed to cigarette smoke), and an SE + MQ group (exposed to cigarette smoke with MitoQ supplement from mating). The lungs from male offspring were collected at 13 wk. RAGE and its downstream signaling, including nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase family consisting of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1, ERK2, c-JUN NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and phosphorylated JNK, in the lung were significantly increased in the SE offspring. Mitochondrial antioxidant manganese superoxide dismutase was reduced, whereas IL-1β and oxidative stress response nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 were significantly increased in the SE offspring. Maternal MitoQ treatment normalized RAGE, IL-1β, and Nrf-2 levels in the SE + MQ offspring. Maternal SE increased RAGE and its signaling elements associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines in offspring lungs, whereas maternal MitoQ treatment can partially normalize these changes.

Increased Oxidative Parameters and Decreased Cytokine Levels in an Animal Model of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly heterogeneous disorder characterized by impairing levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. Oxidative and inflammatory parameters have been recognized among its multiple predisposing pathways, and clinical studies indicate that ADHD patients have increased oxidative stress. In this study, we aimed to evaluate oxidative (DCFH oxidation, glutathione levels, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities) and inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10) parameters in the most widely accepted animal model of ADHD, the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Prefrontal cortex, cortex (remaining regions), striatum and hippocampus of adult male SHR and Wistar Kyoto rats were studied. SHR presented increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the cortex, striatum and hippocampus. In SHR, glutathione peroxidase activity was decreased in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. TNF-α levels were reduced in the prefrontal cortex, cortex (remaining regions), hippocampus and striatum of SHR. Besides, IL-1β and IL-10 levels were decreased in the cortex of the ADHD model. Results indicate that SHR presented an oxidative profile that is characterized by an increase in ROS production without an effective antioxidant counterbalance. In addition, this strain showed a decrease in cytokine levels, mainly TNF-α, indicating a basal deficit. These results may present a new approach to the cognitive disturbances seen in the SHR.

Prenatal Maternal Distress and Allergic Diseases in Offspring: Review of Evidence and Possible Pathways

Recent studies have suggested a close association between prenatal maternal distress and allergic diseases in the offspring. We selected relevant birth-cohort or national registry studies using a keyword search of the PubMed database and summarized current evidence on the impact of prenatal maternal distress on the development of offspring's allergic diseases. Moreover, we postulated possible pathways linking prenatal distress and allergic diseases based on relevant human and animal studies. Both dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increased oxidative stress may cause structural (altered brain/lung development) and functional (skewed immune development) changes, which may predispose the fetus to developing allergic diseases during childhood. Although many facts are yet to be discovered, changes in the placental response and epigenetic modification are presumed to mediate the whole process from maternal distress to allergic diseases. Maternal prenatal distress can also interact with other physical or environmental factors, including familial or physical factors, indoor and outdoor pollutants, and early childhood psychological distress. The gut-microbiome-brain axis and the role of the microbiome as an immune modulator should be considered when investigating the stress-allergy relationship and exploring potential intervention modalities. Further research is needed, and particular attention should be given to defining the most vulnerable subjects and critical time periods. To this end, studies exploring relevant biomarkers are warranted, which can enable us to explore adequate intervention strategies.

Maternal smoking in pregnancy and its influence on childhood asthma

Maternal smoking in pregnancy (MSP) is a large modifiable risk factor for pregnancy related mortality and morbidity and also the most important known modifiable risk factor for asthma. This review summarises the effects of MSP throughout infancy, childhood and adolescence with regards to asthma (development and severity). Firstly, the direct damage caused by nicotine on fetal lung development, fetal growth and neuronal differentiation is discussed, as well as the indirect effects of nicotine on placental functioning. Secondly, the effects of MSP on later immune functioning resulting in increased infection rate are summarised and details are given on the effects of MSP modulating airway hyperreactivity, reducing lung function and therefore increasing asthma morbidity. Furthermore, epigenetic effects are increasingly being recognised. These can also result in transgenerational detrimental effects induced by cigarette smoke. In summary, the causal relationship between MSP and asthma development is well documented and presents a major health problem for generations to come. The high prevalence of MSP is alarming and epigenetic effects of nicotine on immune functioning potentiate this danger. A considerable part of the increase in asthma prevalence worldwide is due to MSP.

Protective Effect of Antenatal Antioxidant on Nicotine-Induced Heart Ischemia-Sensitive Phenotype in Rat Offspring

Fetal nicotine exposure increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. The present study tested the hypothesis that perinatal nicotine-induced programming of heart ischemia-sensitive phenotype is mediated by enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in offspring. Nicotine was administered to pregnant rats via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps from day 4 of gestation to day 10 after birth, in the absence or presence of a ROS inhibitor, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) in drinking water. Experiments were conducted in 8 month old age male offspring. Isolated hearts were perfused in a Langendorff preparation. Perinatal nicotine treatment significantly increased ischemia and reperfusion-induced left ventricular injury, and decreased post-ischemic recovery of left ventricular function and coronary flow rate. In addition, nicotine enhanced cardiac ROS production and significantly attenuated protein kinase Cε (PKCε) protein abundance in the heart. Although nicotine had no effect on total cardiac glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) protein expression, it significantly increased the phosphorylation of GSK3β at serine 9 residue in the heart. NAC inhibited nicotine-mediated increase in ROS production, recovered PKCε gene expression and abrogated increased phosphorylation of GSK3β. Of importance, NAC blocked perinatal nicotine-induced increase in ischemia and reperfusion injury in the heart. These findings provide novel evidence that increased oxidative stress plays a causal role in perinatal nicotine-induced developmental programming of ischemic sensitive phenotype in the heart, and suggest potential therapeutic targets of anti-oxidative stress in the treatment of ischemic heart disease.

Timing of solid food introduction is associated with urinary F2-isoprostane concentrations in childhood

BACKGROUND

Timing of solid food introduction in infancy has been associated with several chronic diseases. To explore potential mechanisms, we investigated the relationship between timing of solid food introduction and F2-isoprostanes-a marker of oxidative stress.

METHODS

Urinary F2-isoprostanes were assessed in 336 healthy children aged less than 11.5 y with 1,266 clinic visits (mean = 3.8 visits per child) in the Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young. We analyzed the association between F2-isoprostane concentrations and infant diet exposures using linear mixed models adjusted for age, age(2), HLA-DR3/4,DQB1*0302 genotype, first-degree relative with type 1 diabetes, maternal age, maternal education, sex, and exposure to in utero cigarette smoke.

RESULTS

Later solid food introduction was associated with lower F2-isoprostane concentrations in childhood (on average, 0.10 ng/mg per month of age at introduction; estimate: -0.10 (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.18, -0.02) P value = 0.02). Moreover, childhood F2-isoprostane concentrations were, on average, 0.24 ng/mg lower in individuals breastfed at solid food introduction (estimate: -0.24 (95% CI: -0.47, -0.01) P value = 0.04) compared with those who were not. Associations remained significant after limiting analyses to F2-isoprostanes after 2 y of age.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest a long-term protective effect of later solid food introduction and breastfeeding at solid food introduction against increased F2-isoprostane concentrations throughout childhood.

Environmental determinants of severity in sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease causes acute and chronic illness, and median life expectancy is reduced by at least 30 years in all countries, with greater reductions in low-income countries. There is a wide spectrum of severity, with some patients having no symptoms and others suffering frequent, life-changing complications. Much of this variability is unexplained, despite increasingly sophisticated genetic studies. Environmental factors, including climate, air quality, socio-economics, exercise and infection, are likely to be important, as demonstrated by the stark differences in outcomes between patients in Africa and USA/Europe. The effects of weather vary with geography, although most studies show that exposure to cold or wind increases hospital attendance with acute pain. Most of the different air pollutants are closely intercorrelated, and increasing overall levels seem to correlate with increased hospital attendance, although higher concentrations of atmospheric carbon monoxide may offer some benefit for patients with sickle cell disease. Exercise causes some adverse physiological changes, although this may be off-set by improvements in cardiovascular health. Most sickle cell disease patients live in low-income countries and socioeconomic factors are undoubtedly important, but little studied beyond documenting that sickle cell disease is associated with decreases in some measures of social status. Infections cause many of the differences in outcomes seen across the world, but again these effects are relatively poorly understood. All the above factors are likely to account for much of the pathology and variability of sickle cell disease, and large prospective studies are needed to understand these effects better.

Antenatal Antioxidant Prevents Nicotine-Mediated Hypertensive Response in Rat Adult Offspring

Previous studies have demonstrated that perinatal nicotine exposure increased blood pressure (BP) in adult offspring. However, the underlying mechanisms were unclear. The present study tested the hypothesis that perinatal nicotine-induced programming of hypertensive response is mediated by enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vasculature. Nicotine was administered to pregnant rats via subcutaneous osmotic mini-pumps from Day 4 of gestation to Day 10 after birth, in the absence or presence of the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) in the drinking water. Experiments were conducted in 8-mo-old male offspring. Perinatal nicotine treatment resulted in a significant increase in arterial ROS production in offspring, which was abrogated by NAC. Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced BP responses were significantly higher in nicotine-treated group than in saline-treated control group, and NAC treatment blocked the nicotine-induced increase in BP response. Consistent with that, the nicotine treatment significantly increased both Ang II-induced and phorbol [12, 13]-dibutyrate (PDBu, a Prkc activator)-induced arterial contractions in adult offspring, which were blocked by NAC treatment. In addition, perinatal nicotine treatment significantly attenuated acetylcholine-induced arterial relaxation in offspring, which was also inhibited by NAC treatment. Results demonstrate that inhibition of ROS blocks the nicotine-induced increase in arterial reactivity and BP response to vasoconstrictors in adult offspring, suggesting a key role for increased oxidative stress in nicotine-induced developmental programming of hypertensive phenotype in male offspring.

Fetal programming of chronic kidney disease: the role of maternal smoking, mitochondrial dysfunction, and epigenetic modfification

The role of an adverse in utero environment in the programming of chronic kidney disease in the adult offspring is increasingly recognized. The cellular and molecular mechanisms linking the in utero environment and future disease susceptibility remain unknown. Maternal smoking is a common modifiable adverse in utero exposure, potentially associated with both mitochondrial dysfunction and epigenetic modification in the offspring. While studies are emerging that point toward a key role of mitochondrial dysfunction in acute and chronic kidney disease, it may have its origin in early development, becoming clinically apparent when secondary insults occur. Aberrant epigenetic programming may add an additional layer of complexity to orchestrate fibrogenesis in the kidney and susceptibility to chronic kidney disease in later life. In this review, we explore the evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction and epigenetic modification through aberrant DNA methylation as key mechanistic aspects of fetal programming of chronic kidney disease and discuss their potential use in diagnostics and targets for therapy.

l-Carnitine reverses maternal cigarette smoke exposure-induced renal oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in mouse offspring

Maternal smoking is associated with metabolic disorders, renal underdevelopment, and a predisposition to chronic kidney disease in offspring, yet the underlying mechanisms are unclear. By exposing female Balb/c mice to cigarette smoke for 6 wk premating and during gestation and lactation, we showed that maternal smoke exposure induced glucose intolerance, renal underdevelopment, inflammation, and albuminuria in male offspring. This was associated with increased renal oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction at birth and in adulthood. Importantly, we demonstrated that dietary supplementation of l-carnitine, an amino acid shown to increase antioxidant defenses and mitochondrial function in numerous diseases, in smoke-exposed mothers during pregnancy and lactation significantly reversed the detrimental maternal impacts on kidney pathology in these male offspring. It increased SOD2 and glutathione peroxidase 1, reduced ROS accumulation, and normalized levels of mitochondrial preprotein translocases of the outer membrane, and oxidative phosphorylation complexes I–V in the kidneys of mouse progeny after intrauterine cigarette smoke exposure. These findings support the hypothesis that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are closely linked to the adverse effects of maternal smoking on male offspring renal pathology. The results of our study suggest that l-carnitine administration in cigarette smoke-exposed mothers mitigates these deleterious renal consequences.

Does fetal smoke exposure affect childhood bone mass? The Generation R Study

We assessed the intrauterine influence of maternal smoking on childhood bone mass by comparing parental prenatal and postnatal smoking habits. We observed higher bone mass in children exposed to maternal smoking, explained by higher body weight. Maternal smoking or related lifestyle factors may affect childhood weight gain rather than skeletal growth.

INTRODUCTION

Maternal smoking during pregnancy may adversely affect bone health in later life. By comparing the associations of maternal and paternal smoking and of prenatal and postnatal exposure with childhood bone measures, we aimed to explore whether the suggested association could be explained by fetal programming or reflects confounding by familial factors.

METHODS

In 5565 mothers, fathers and children participating in a population-based prospective cohort study, parental smoking habits during pregnancy and current household smoking habits were assessed by postal questionnaires. Total body bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA) and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the median age of 6.0 years (IQR 0.37).

RESULTS

In confounder-adjusted models, maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with a higher BMC of 11.6 g (95 % confidence interval (CI) 5.6, 17.5), a larger BA of 9.7 cm(2) (95 % CI 3.0, 16.4), a higher BMD of 6.7 g/cm(2) (95 % CI 2.4, 11.0) and a higher BMC of 5.4 g (95 % CI 1.3, 9.6) adjusted for BA of the child. Current weight turned out to mediate these associations. Among mothers who did not smoke, paternal smoking did not show evident associations with childhood bone measures. Also, household smoking practices during childhood were not associated with childhood bone measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results do not support the hypothesis of fetal smoke exposure affecting childhood bone mass via intrauterine mechanisms. Maternal smoking or related lifestyle factors may affect childhood weight gain rather than skeletal growth.

Domestic airborne black carbon levels and 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate among children in New York City

BACKGROUND

Exposure to airborne black carbon (BC) has been associated with asthma development, respiratory symptoms and decrements in lung function. However, the mechanism through which BC may lead to respiratory symptoms has not been completely elucidated. Oxidative stress has been suggested as a potential mechanism through which BC might lead to adverse health outcomes. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) allows for the non-invasive collection of airway lining fluid containing biomarkers of oxidative stress like 8-isoprostane, a stable by-product of lipid peroxidation. Therefore, we sought to characterize the association between domestic airborne BC concentrations and 8-isoprostane in EBC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven- and eight-year-old children participated in an asthma case-control study in New York City. During home visits, air samples and EBC were collected. Seven day averages of domestic levels of particulate matter <2.5μm (PM2.5), BC and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were measured. Urea and 8-isoprostane were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) in EBC.

RESULTS

In univariate models, PM2.5 and BC, but not ETS, were significantly associated with increases in 8-isoprostane in the EBC (β=0.006 and β=0.106 respectively, p<0.05 for both). These associations remained statistically significant for both PM2.5 and BC after adjustment for covariates. In a co-pollutant model including PM2.5, BC and ETS, only BC remained a statistically significant predictor of 8-isoprostane (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest the BC fraction of PM might contain exposure relevant to increased oxidative stress in the airways.

Non-specific immune stimulation in respiratory tract infections. Separating the wheat from the chaff

Parents of children suffering from recurrent respiratory infections can be persuaded by advertisements to pressure their family physicians and pediatricians for "immune-stimulating enhancements". However, the evidence base behind these immune stimulants is usually lacking. Often there is no peer-reviewed studies available that support claims made by "immune-booster" supplements. In this review, we critically analyze most of the marketed immuno-active drugs (including vitamin preparations, dietary supplements, homeopathic remedies, Ecchinacea, bacterial lysates, and probiotics) and identify the necessity to exclude an immunodeficiency in every child suffering from recurrent respiratory tract infections.

Environmental tobacco smoke and airway obstruction in children with sickle cell anemia

BACKGROUND

The contribution of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure to pulmonary morbidity in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) is poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that children with SCA and ETS exposure would have an increased prevalence of obstructive lung disease and respiratory symptoms compared with children with SCA and no ETS exposure.

METHODS

Parent reports of ETS and respiratory symptom frequency were obtained for 245 children with SCA as part of a multicenter prospective cohort study. One hundred ninety-six children completed pulmonary function testing. Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate the associations between ETS exposure at different time points (prenatal, infant [birth to 2 years], preschool [2 years to first grade], and current) and lung function and respiratory symptoms.

RESULTS

Among the 245 participants, a high prevalence of prior (44%) and current (29%) ETS exposure was reported. Of the 196 children who completed pulmonary function testing, those with parent-reported infant and current ETS exposure were more likely to have airway obstruction (defined as an FEV1/FVC ratio below the lower limit normal) compared with unexposed children (22.0% vs 3.1%, P &lt; .001). Those with ETS exposure also had a lower forced expiratory flow, midexpiratory phase/FVC ratio (0.82 vs 0.97, P = .001) and were more likely to have evidence of bronchodilator responsiveness (23% vs 11%, P = .03). Current and prior ETS exposure and in utero smoke exposure were associated with increased frequency of respiratory symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

ETS exposure is associated with evidence of lower airway obstruction and increased respiratory symptoms in SCA.

Smoking in pregnancy in West Virginia: does cessation/reduction improve perinatal outcomes?

To determine if pregnant women decreasing/quitting tobacco use will have improved fetal outcomes. Retrospective analysis of pregnant smokers from 6/1/2006-12/31/2007 who received prenatal care and delivered at a tertiary medical care center in West Virginia. Variables analyzed included birth certificate data linked to intervention program survey data. Patients were divided into four study groups: <8 cigarettes/day-no reduction, <8 cigarettes/day-reduction, ≥8 cigarettes/day-no reduction, and ≥8 cigarettes/day-reduction. Analysis performed using ANOVA one-way test for continuous variables and Chi-square for categorical variables. Inclusion criteria met by 250 patients. Twelve women (4.8%) quit smoking; 150 (60%) reduced; 27 (10.8%) increased; and 61 (24.4%) had no change. Comparing the four study groups for pre-term births (<37 weeks), 25% percent occurred in ≥8 no reduction group while 10% occurred in ≥8 with reduction group (P = 0.026). The high rate of preterm birth (25%) in the non-reducing group depended on 2 factors: (1) ≥8 cigarettes/day at beginning and (2) no reduction by the end of prenatal care. Finally, there was a statistically significant difference in birth weights between the two groups: ≥8 cigarettes/day with no reduction (2,872.6 g) versus <8 cigarettes/day with reduction (3,212.4 g) (P = 0.028). Smoking reduction/cessation lowered risk of pre-term delivery (<37 weeks) twofold. Encouraging patients who smoke ≥8 cigarettes/day during pregnancy to decrease/quit prior to delivery provides significant clinical benefit by decreasing the likelihood of preterm birth. These findings support tobacco cessation efforts as a means to improve birth outcome.

[Environmental tobacco smoke exposure in children and its relationship with the severity of asthma]

INTRODUCTION

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure produces serious respiratory problems in childhood. The aim of the study was to evaluate if environmental tobacco smoke affects the severity of asthma in asthmatic children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective, multicentre study was conducted on asthmatic children and their parents in 2007-2008, using an exposure questionnaire, pulmonary function, level of cotinine in urine, and evaluation of the severity of asthma according to GEMA guide. The characteristics of the sample are summarised using the appropriate statistical tools, and the comparisons were made using the Pearson chi2 test, Mann-Whitney U test or Studentĭs t, according to the variable and number of groups compared.

RESULTS

Four hundred and eighty four households in 7 Autonomous Communities were included. The population included, 61% male children with asthma, 56% with a smoking caregiver in their home, 34% fathers, 31% mothers and 17% both. Home exposure was 37%, with 11% daily and 94% passive smokers since birth. There was 20% with exposure during whole period of pregnancy of 5±1 cigarettes/day. Children exposed to 6±1 cigarettes/day, 27%, up to 10 cigarettes/day, and 10% to more than 10. Severity of asthma during the survey was worse among those exposed (episodic-occasional 47%, episodic-frequent 35% and persistent-moderate 18% versus 59%, 25% and 16%, respectively, P=.040). Severity of asthma in the last year was worse in those exposed (episodic - occasional 22%, episodic - frequent 37% and persistent - moderate 50% versus 38%, 28% and 25% respectively, P=.037). The spirometry was abnormal in 64% of the exposed against to 36% in the non-exposed for FEV(1) (P=.003, 63% vs 38% for FVC (P=.038), and 54% vs 46% for the PEF (P=.050). The cotinine was higher in exposed: 51 (0-524) ng/ml vs 27 (0-116) ng/ml (P=.032). A relationship was observed between cotinine and level of exposure: 120 (0-590) ng/ml for >10 cigarettes/day as opposed to 44 (0-103) ng/ml ≤10 cigarettes/day (P=.035), which corroborates the consistency of the data collected.

CONCLUSIONS

The exposure of children with asthma to environmental tobacco smoke has a highly negative effect on the severity of their asthma.

Antenatal nicotine induces heightened oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction in rat offspring

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Antenatal nicotine exposure causes aberrant vascular reactivity and increased blood pressure in adult male rat offspring in a sex-dependent manner. The present study tested the hypothesis that maternal nicotine administration increases the production of reactive oxygen species resulting in the vascular hypertensive reactivity in male offspring.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Nicotine was administered to pregnant rats via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps throughout the gestation. The vascular oxidative damage and dysfunction were determined in 5-month-old male offspring. Contraction studies were performed on isolated aortas and their expression of NADPH oxidase (Nox2)/gp91 and nox4 determined by Western blot analysis. In addition, oxidative damage in the vessel wall was determined by measuring malondialdehyde concentrations, vascular superoxide production and SOD activity.

KEY RESULTS

Antenatal nicotine significantly increased angiotensin II-induced arterial contractions in the offspring. The exaggerated vascular contractions were inhibited by both apocynin (a Nox inhibitor) and tempol (a SOD mimetic) in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, ACh-induced relaxations were impaired in aortas isolated from the nicotine-treated offspring, which were restored by both apocynin and tempol in a concentration-dependent manner. The nicotine treatment significantly decreased the superoxide dismutase activity and increased malondialdehyde, superoxide and nitrotyrosine protein levels in the vascular wall. Consistently, antenatal nicotine exposure significantly enhanced the protein expression of NADPH oxidase Nox2/gp91, but not Nox4 in the aorta.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The present findings suggest that antenatal nicotine exposure results in the programming of heightened oxidative stress and vascular hypertensive reactivity via a Nox2-dependent mechanism, leading to an increased risk of hypertension in adult offspring.

Characteristics of reactive oxygen metabolites in serum of early teenagers in Japan

OBJECTIVES

The relationship between the incidence of cardiovascular disease and the state of oxidative stress in blood has been studied to some extent. Several lines of evidence underscore the importance of primary prevention of cardiovascular disease beginning in childhood. However, little is known about the current state of oxidative stress in childhood. This study was carried out to determine the current state of the level of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) in serum of early teenagers.

METHODS

This study enrolled 595 healthy junior high school students from the town of Nanbu located in northern Japan. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring the serum level of ROM, and antioxidant capacity was evaluated by measuring the serum level of biological antioxidant potential (BAP).

RESULTS

Although the ROM level in female students [308.6 ± 63.1 Carratelli units (U.CARR)] was slightly higher than that in males (299.9 ± 55.2 U.CARR), the difference was not statistically significant. The BAP level in males was significantly higher than that in females. The levels of ROM and BAP detected in males in the first grade were higher than those in the other grades. In females, only first-graders' BAP was higher than that in other grades.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study found that the ROM level in males was negatively correlated with grade. These results suggest the presence of factor(s) that increase oxidative stress in Japanese puberty.

Epigenetics and prenatal influences on asthma and allergic airways disease

Uterine life is arguably the most critical time in developmental programming, when environmental exposures may have the greatest potential to influence evolving fetal structure and function. There has been substantial progress in understanding the epigenetic mechanisms through which environmental exposures can permanently alter the expression of fetal genes and contribute to the increasing propensity for many complex diseases. These concepts of "developmental origins" of disease are being applied across virtually all fields of medicine, and emerging epigenetic paradigms are the likely mechanism behind the environment-driven epidemic of asthma and allergic disease. Here, we examine the epigenetic regulation of immune development and the early immune profiles that contribute to allergic risk. In particular we review new evidence that key environmental exposures, such as microbial exposure, dietary changes, tobacco smoke, and pollutants, can induce epigenetic changes in gene expression and alter disease risk. Although most of these factors have already been clearly implicated in epidemiologic studies of asthma and allergic disease, new studies investigating the mechanisms of these effects may provide new avenues for using these pathways for disease prevention.

A strong synergism of low birth weight and prenatal smoking on asthma in schoolchildren

BACKGROUND

Prenatal smoke exposure is associated with airway inflammation and asthma in children. It also increases the risk of low birth weight (LBW). LBW is associated with decreased lung function independently of smoking.

OBJECTIVE

To study the independent and joint effects of prenatal smoking and LBW on childhood asthma.

METHODS

In 1996, all children aged 7 to 8 years in 3 cities in northern Sweden were invited to an International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood questionnaire survey. This study focused on the follow-up of children aged 11 to 12 years, in which 3389 children (96%) participated. A subset of 2121 children underwent skin-prick testing. Self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma has been clinically validated.

RESULTS

Mean birth weight was 3360 g in children exposed to prenatal smoking and 3571 g in nonexposed children (P < .001). The association of prenatal smoking with physician-diagnosed asthma was stronger in LBW children (risk ratio: 8.8 [95% confidence interval: 2.1-38]) than in normal birth weight children (risk ratio: 1.3 [95% confidence interval: 1.0-1.8]). LBW alone was not an independent predictor of asthma. These associations were similar in multivariate analysis, and the interaction term LBW × smoking was highly statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a strong interaction of LBW and prenatal-smoking on the risk of physician-diagnosed asthma, which has not been demonstrated previously. This was consistently seen with adjustment for known risk factors, including allergic sensitization. Plausibly, airway inflammation from prenatal smoke exposure induces obstructive symptoms more easily in the underdeveloped airways of LBW children.

Life-long programming implications of exposure to tobacco smoking and nicotine before and soon after birth: evidence for altered lung development

Tobacco smoking during pregnancy remains common, especially in indigenous communities, and likely contributes to respiratory illness in exposed offspring. It is now well established that components of tobacco smoke, notably nicotine, can affect multiple organs in the fetus and newborn, potentially with life-long consequences. Recent studies have shown that nicotine can permanently affect the developing lung such that its final structure and function are adversely affected; these changes can increase the risk of respiratory illness and accelerate the decline in lung function with age. In this review we discuss the impact of maternal smoking on the lungs and consider the evidence that smoking can have life-long, programming consequences for exposed offspring. Exposure to maternal tobacco smoking and nicotine intake during pregnancy and lactation changes the genetic program that controls the development and aging of the lungs of the offspring. Changes in the conducting airways and alveoli reduce lung function in exposed offspring, rendering the lungs more susceptible to obstructive lung disease and accelerating lung aging. Although it is generally accepted that prevention of maternal smoking during pregnancy and lactation is essential, current knowledge of the effects of nicotine on lung development does not support the use of nicotine replacement therapy in this group.

Early life environment and developmental immunotoxicity in inflammatory dysfunction and disease

Components of the innate immune system such as macrophages and dendritic cells are instrumental in determining the fate of immune responses and are, also, among the most sensitive targets of early life environmental alterations including developmental immunotoxicity (DIT). DIT can impede innate immune cell maturation, disrupt tissue microenvironment, alter immune responses to infectious challenges, and disrupt regulatory responses. Dysregulation of inflammation, such as that observed with DIT, has been linked with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory diseases in both children and adults. In this review, we discuss the relationship between early-life risk factors for innate immune modulation and promotion of dysregulated inflammation associated with chronic inflammatory disease. The health risks from DIT-associated inflammation may extend beyond primary immune dysfunction to include an elevated risk of several later-life, inflammatory-mediated diseases that target a wide range of physiological systems and organs. For this reason, determination of innate immune status should be an integral part of drug and chemical safety evaluation.

Interaction between early maternal smoking and variants in TNF and GSTP1 in childhood wheezing

BACKGROUND

Children exposed to tobacco smoke early in life have a higher risk of wheeze. Individual susceptibility may depend on genetic factors.

OBJECTIVE

We studied whether variations in single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TNF, glutathione S transferase P1 (GSTP1) and beta2-adrenoreceptor (ADRB2) genes modify the effect of early maternal smoking on the development of childhood asthma, wheeze and allergic sensitization.

METHODS

In the Swedish prospective birth cohort BAMSE (Children, Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiological Survey) (n=4089), data collection included questionnaires to measure tobacco smoke exposure and clinical outcomes up to age 4 and medical examinations with blood sampling for specific IgE measurements and genotyping. We defined early maternal smoking as daily smoking by the mother during pregnancy and/or postnatally. We investigated five TNF, six GSTP1 and three ADRB2 SNPs in 982 selected wheezers and non-wheezers.

RESULTS

An interaction with early maternal smoking was found for three TNF SNPs (-857C/T, Intron 1, Intron 3) with respect to early wheeze (up to 2 years of age). For example, the odds ratio (OR) for developing early wheeze related to early maternal smoking was 2.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-3.7] in children with a wild-type CC homozygote genotype of the TNF-857 SNP, while no tobacco-related risk was seen in children carrying the rare T allele. A clear dose response was observed in children with the CC genotype, with an OR of 1.3 (95% CI 1.1-1.5) per each additional pack per week smoked by the mother during pregnancy. A suggestive interaction with early maternal smoking was also seen for three GSTP1 SNPs (Intron 5, Intron 6 and Ile105Val) with respect to transient wheeze, but not for ADRB2 and wheeze phenotypes. No effect modifications were observed for allergic sensitization.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the risk of early childhood wheeze associated with early maternal smoking may be modified by TNF and GSTP1 polymorphisms.

Long-term reprogramming of cardiovascular function in infants of active smokers

Newborn infants of smokers show symptoms of cardiovascular stress hyperreactivity. Persistent hyperreactivity could increase the risk of short- and/or long-term complications, such as hypertension. Here we determined whether incipient dysfunction in a smoker's infant persists or worsens with age, by comparing cardiovascular reflex function of control and tobacco-exposed infants longitudinally from birth to 1 year. We compared infants born at term to nonsmoking couples (controls; n=19) and mothers who smoked moderately (average consumption=15 cigarettes per day; n=17). All were tested at 1 to 3 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year during sleep. We recorded blood pressure and heart rate noninvasively during passive repositioning (60 degrees head-up tilt). Tilting control infants raised blood pressure slightly above baseline at 1 week (+2%) and much more at 1 year (+10%). This trend was reversed in the tobacco-exposed cohort (+10% at 1 week but only +4% at 1 year). At 3 months and 1 year, the heart rate response of tobacco-exposed infants to tilt was also abnormal (highly exaggerated). Our study reveals that maternal smoking leads to long-lasting "reprogramming" of infant blood pressure control mechanisms. The underlying dysfunction in a smoker's infant could plausibly be a precursor or early marker of long-term susceptibility to complications, such as raised blood pressure.

Linkage between smoking and asthma

Smoking is one of the most important preventable public health problems. Prevalence of smoking is decreasing in the Western world but lot of work is left. We reviewed the most important papers related to smoking and asthma. Despite of decreasing smoking figures in Finland, about 15-20 per cent of pregnant women smokes. Children's exposure to harmful effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) still continues. Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and in early childhood both deteriorates permanently children's lungs and increases their asthma risk. The exposure of adults to ETS also increases their asthma risk. Both passive exposure to ETS and active smoking worsen asthma. In addition, smoking asthmatics run a higher risk of developing COPD compared to non-smokers. Smoking prevalence among the population can be regulated through legislation, but the health care personnel have a central role in encouraging smoking cessation among smoking patients.

Association of passive exposure of pregnant women to environmental tobacco smoke with asthma symptoms in children

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a significant risk factor for the presence and increased severity of asthma- and allergy-related symptoms in children. Smoking during pregnancy has detrimental effects on asthma-associated outcomes in childhood. Whether passive exposure of pregnant women to ETS may also lead to asthma in their offspring, is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of passive exposure of pregnant women to ETS and asthma- and/or allergy-related symptoms in Preschool children. Cross-sectional data were collected with questionnaires from 2374 Preschool children, recruited from public and private nurseries and day-care centers. Parental smoking was significantly associated with wheezing symptoms in their children. Mother's active smoking during pregnancy significantly increased the risk for occurrence of asthma symptoms and/or medically diagnosed asthma in Preschool children in a dose-dependent manner. Passive exposure to ETS, mainly during the third trimester of pregnancy, was significantly associated with asthma- and allergy-related symptoms after adjusting for several confounders in a multivariate analysis (current wheeze: OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.06-1.91, pruritic rash ever: OR= 1.45, 95% CI = 1.01-2.08). Passive exposure of pregnant women to ETS during the third trimester is positively associated with asthma- and allergy-related symptoms in their Preschool age children. Public health policies should be oriented not only towards smoking cessation, but also reinforce elimination of ETS exposure of pregnant women.

Innate immune receptors on neutrophils and their role in chronic lung disease

Neutrophils, the prototypic cells of the innate immune system, are recruited to infected sites to protect the human body from invading pathogens. To accomplish this function, neutrophils sense pathogens and endogenous damage-associated molecules via innate immune receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and other pattern recognition receptors. This defence function is essential for the pulmonary microenvironment where the host is faced with millions of particles and pathogens inhaled daily. Chronic lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are characterized by a neutrophil accumulation and chronic bacterial colonization of the airways. Consequently, insights into the role of TLRs on neutrophils in chronic lung diseases are of high relevance for further diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Here we summarize and discuss recent advances in the expression, regulation and functional role of TLRs on neutrophils in chronic lung diseases.

Prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke induces diet- and sex-dependent dyslipidemia and weight gain in adult murine offspring

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects 71 million American adults and remains the leading cause of death in the United States and Europe. Despite studies that suggest that the development of CVD may be linked to intrauterine growth or early events in childhood, little direct experimental evidence supports the notion.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether exposure to cigarette smoke in utero alters the risk of developing CVD later in life.

METHODS

We exposed B(6)C(3)F(1) mice (via whole-body inhalation) to either filtered air or mainstream cigarette smoke (MCS, at a particle concentration of 15 mg/m(3)) from gestational day 4 to parturition. Adult offspring were fed a normal chow diet or switched to a high-fat diet 2 weeks before sacrifice. We measured dam and offspring body weight, plasma lipid parameters, lipoprotein subclass particle numbers and sizes, and total antioxidant capacities.

RESULTS

Adult female mice prenatally exposed to MCS demonstrated significantly higher body weight and levels of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein than did their air-exposed counterparts. When fed a high-fat diet for 2 weeks, males, but not females, exposed prenatally to MCS gained substantially more weight and exhibited dramatic alterations in total cholesterol and HDL levels compared with their air-exposed counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide, for the first time, direct experimental evidence supporting the notion that prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke affects offspring weight gain and induces a lipid profile that could alter the offspring's risk of developing CVD later in life.

Environmental tobacco smoke and cardiometabolic risk in young children: results from a survey in south-west Germany

AIMS

We explored the association between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and various cardiometabolic biomarkers in 10-year-old children.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out. Data on ETS exposure and potential confounders were collected by parental questionnaire. Adiponectin, leptin, markers of inflammation, apolipoproteins (apo) AI and B, and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) were measured. Linear and logistic regression models were applied using the 90th percentile as a cut-off point except for adiponectin and apoAI (10th percentile). In linear models, ETS exposure was significantly associated with increasing plasma concentrations of leptin, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin (IL)-6, and Lp-PLA(2). When compared with none, ETS exposure of more than 10 cigarettes per day was associated with elevated concentrations of leptin (OR 6.40; 95% CI, 2.67-15.39), C-reactive protein (OR 3.17; 95% CI, 1.31-7.68), Lp-PLA(2) (OR 2.97 95% CI, 1.32-6.68), low adiponectin (OR 2.69; 95% CI, 1.10-6.57), and low apoAI (OR 4.48; 95% CI, 2.16-10.85). Increasing dose of ETS exposure was related to an increasing number of abnormal cardiometabolic markers.

CONCLUSION

Among children, ETS exposure was associated with a low-grade inflammatory response and altered markers of lipid metabolism, which may initiate atherosclerosis in early life. However, longitudinal studies are necessary to determine the potential causal relevance of these associations.

First-trimester increase in oxidative stress and risk of small-for-gestational-age fetus

OBJECTIVE

Investigation of increased oxidative stress in early pregnancy and association with an increased risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetus.

DESIGN

Longitudinal case-control study.

SETTING

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK.

POPULATION

Low-risk pregnant women with no current or pre-existing medical illness were recruited at a large teaching hospital from 2004 to 2006.

METHODS

Recruitment performed at the time of the dating ultrasound scan (12+/-2 weeks of gestation). Spot urine samples collected at 12+/-2 and 28+/-2 weeks of gestation were analysed for 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry). SGA was defined as birthweight <10th centile based on customised centile calculator (www.gestation.net). This identified the cases (n=55), whereas controls (n=55) were mothers whose babies were appropriate for gestational age (AGA, birthweight 10th-90th centile). Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism v.5. The relationship between maternal urinary 8-oxodG at different gestations and customised SGA was investigated by nonparametric tests.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Customised SGA and AGA pregnancies.

RESULTS

Urinary 8-oxodG concentrations were significantly increased in pregnancies with subsequent SGA compared with concentrations in normal pregnancies; 12 weeks: 2.8 (interquartile range [IQR] 1.96-3.67) versus 2.2 (IQR 1.26-3.28) pmol 8-oxodG/micromol creatinine (P=0.0007); 28 weeks: 2.21 (IQR 1.67-3.14) versus 1.68 (IQR 1.16-2.82) pmol 8-oxodG/micromol creatinine (P<0.0002). Concentrations decreased significantly between week 12 and 28 (P=0.04 and P=0.02 for controls and cases).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, urinary 8-oxodG at 12 and 28 weeks were elevated in SGA compared with AGA pregnancies. This may reflect early placental changes predating clinical features of SGA.

Maternal nicotine exposure increases oxidative stress in the offspring

Fetal and neonatal nicotine exposure causes beta-cell apoptosis and loss of beta-cell mass, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. The goal of this study was to determine whether maternally derived nicotine can act via the pancreatic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) during fetal and neonatal development to induce oxidative stress in the pancreas. Female Wistar rats were given saline or nicotine (1 mg/kg/day) via subcutaneous injection for 2 weeks prior to mating until weaning (postnatal day 21). In male offspring, nAChR subunit mRNA expression was characterized in the developing pancreas and various oxidative stress markers were measured at weaning following saline and nicotine exposure. The nAChR subunits alpha2-alpha4, alpha6, alpha7, and beta2-beta4 were present in the pancreas during development. Fetal and neonatal exposure to nicotine significantly increased pancreatic GPx-1 and MnSOD protein expression, as well as islet ROS production. Furthermore, protein carbonyl formation was higher in nicotine-exposed offspring relative to controls, particularly within the mitochondrial fraction. There was also a nonsignificant trend toward higher serum 8-isoPG levels. These data suggest that beta-cell apoptosis in the fetal and neonatal pancreas may be the result of a direct effect of nicotine via its receptor and that this effect may be mediated through increased oxidative stress.