DNA adducts in human placenta exposed to ambient environment and passive cigarette smoke during pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
The risk of human diseases and abnormal development under the relatively reduced toxic environmental exposure conditions of passive cigarette smoke and urban pollution is emerging as significant. To assess the genotoxic potential of such exposure, we analyzed the DNA adducts of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), a proven marker of genotoxicity, in human placental DNA samples of pregnancies monitored for passive cigarette smoke exposure.


METHODS
Maternal exposure to active and passive cigarette smoke was evaluated by verbal disclosure and urinary nicotine and cotinine measurements. PAH-DNA adducts were assayed by ELISA using a polyclonal antibody against benzo[alpha]pyrene-diol-epoxide-DNA in placental DNA. Birth weights of infants were recorded in these monitored pregnancies.


RESULTS
Urinary nicotine and cotinine values were reduced in the passive smoke-exposed group compared to smokers and similar to those in the nonsmoker ambient exposure group. PAH-DNA and nicotine/cotinine values were not correlated with birth weight of the infant. PAH-DNA adducts were present in approximately 25% of samples exposed to passive cigarette smoke and ambient environment.


CONCLUSIONS
The study has revealed that a subpopulation of humans is predisposed to accumulating PAH adducts independent of high levels of PAH sources (e.g., maternal cigarette smoke exposure). Because DNA adducts promote genomic changes, it is likely that this subpopulation is susceptible to diverse changes in the genome that may influence human development.
Sanyal
Mrinal K
MK
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University Medical School, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. sanyal.mmsj@att.net
Mercan
Derya
D
Belanger
Kathleen
K
Santella
Regina M
RM
D001724:Birth Weight; D003367:Cotinine / Q000652:urine; D018736:DNA Adducts / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic / Q000032:analysis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D009538:Nicotine / Q000652:urine; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000652:urine; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis*
D018736:DNA Adducts; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D009538:Nicotine; D003367:Cotinine