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


OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between blood metal concentrations at delivery and placenta MAO activity.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Abdelouahab
Nadia
N
Département Obstétrique Gynécologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
Huel
Guy
G
Suvorov
Alexander
A
Foliguet
Bernard
B
Goua
Valérie
V
Debotte
Ginette
G
Sahuquillo
Josianne
J
Charles
Marie-Aline
MA
Takser
Larissa
L
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002104:Cadmium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008345:Manganese / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D008345:Manganese; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D008628:Mercury