title: Monoamine oxidase activity in placenta in relation to manganese, cadmium, lead, and mercury at delivery.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Département Obstétrique Gynécologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abdelouahab
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huel
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suvorov
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Foliguet
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Goua
authors.forename: Ginette
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Debotte
authors.forename: Josianne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sahuquillo
authors.forename: Marie-Aline
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.forename: Larissa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Takser
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D008345:Manganese; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D008628:Mercury