Effect of Postnatal Epigallocatechin-Gallate Treatment on Cardiac Function in Mice Prenatally Exposed to Alcohol

Prenatal alcohol exposure affects the cardiovascular health of the offspring. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) may be a protective agent against it, but no data are available regarding its impact on cardiac dysfunction. We investigated the presence of cardiac alterations in mice prenatally exposed to alcohol and the effect of postnatal EGCG treatment on cardiac function and related biochemical pathways. C57BL/6J pregnant mice received 1.5 g/kg/day (Mediterranean pattern), 4.5 g/kg/day (binge pattern) of ethanol, or maltodextrin until Day 19 of pregnancy. Post-delivery, treatment groups received EGCG-supplemented water. At post-natal Day 60, functional echocardiographies were performed. Heart biomarkers of apoptosis, oxidative stress, and cardiac damage were analyzed by Western blot. BNP and Hif1α increased and Nrf2 decreased in mice prenatally exposed to the Mediterranean alcohol pattern. Bcl-2 was downregulated in the binge PAE drinking pattern. Troponin I, glutathione peroxidase, and Bax increased in both ethanol exposure patterns. Prenatal alcohol exposure led to cardiac dysfunction in exposed mice, evidenced by a reduced ejection fraction, left ventricle posterior wall thickness at diastole, and Tei index. EGCG postnatal therapy restored the physiological levels of these biomarkers and improved cardiac dysfunction. These findings suggest that postnatal EGCG treatment attenuates the cardiac damage caused by prenatal alcohol exposure in the offspring.

Effects of Antioxidant Intake on Fetal Development and Maternal/Neonatal Health during Pregnancy

During pregnancy, cycles of hypoxia and oxidative stress play a key role in the proper development of the fetus. Hypoxia during the first weeks is crucial for placental development, while the increase in oxygen due to the influx of maternal blood stimulates endothelial growth and angiogenesis. However, an imbalance in the number of oxidative molecules due to endogenous or exogenous factors can overwhelm defense systems and lead to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Many pregnancy complications, generated by systemic inflammation and placental vasoconstriction, such as preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR) and preterm birth (PTB), are related to this increase of ROS. Antioxidants may be a promising tool in this population. However, clinical evidence on their use, especially those of natural origin, is scarce and controversial. Following PRISMA methodology, the current review addresses the use of natural antioxidants, such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), melatonin and resveratrol (RESV), as well as other classical antioxidants (vitamin C and E) during the prenatal period as treatment of the above-mentioned complications. We review the effect of antioxidant supplementation on breast milk in lactating mothers.

Epigallocatechin Gallate Ameliorates the Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder-Like Mouse Model

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is the main preventable cause of intellectual disability in the Western world. Although binge drinking is the most studied prenatal alcohol exposure pattern, other types of exposure, such as the Mediterranean, are common in specific geographic areas. In this study, we analyze the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure in binge and Mediterranean human drinking patterns on placenta and brain development in C57BL/6J mice. We also assess the impact of prenatal treatment with the epigallocatechin-3-gallate antioxidant in both groups. Study experimental groups for Mediterranean or binge patterns: (1) control; (2) ethanol; (3) ethanol + epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Brain and placental tissue were collected on gestational Day 19. The molecular pathways studied were fetal and placental growth, placental angiogenesis (VEGF-A, PLGF, VEGF-R), oxidative stress (Nrf2), and neurodevelopmental processes including maturation (NeuN, DCX), differentiation (GFAP) and neural plasticity (BDNF). Prenatal alcohol exposure resulted in fetal growth restriction and produced imbalances of placental angiogenic factors. Moreover, prenatal alcohol exposure increased oxidative stress and caused significant alterations in neuronal maturation and astrocyte differentiation. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate therapy ameliorated fetal growth restriction, attenuated alcohol-induced changes in placental angiogenic factors, and partially rescued neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN), (doublecortin) DCX, and (glial fibrillary acidic protein) GFAP levels. Any alcohol consumption (Mediterranean or binge) during pregnancy may generate a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder phenotype and the consequences may be partially attenuated by a prenatal treatment with epigallocatechin-3-gallate.