title: Effects of maternal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) during pregnancy on susceptibility to neonatal asthma.
abstract: Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is used as a plasticizer and is widely dispersed in the environment. In this study, we investigated the effects of maternal exposure to DEHP during pregnancy on neonatal asthma susceptibility using a murine model of asthma induced by ovalbumin (OVA). Pregnant BALB/c mice received DEHP from gestation day 13 to lactation day 21. Their offspring were sensitized on postnatal days (PNDs) 9 and 15 by intraperitoneal injection of 0.5μg OVA with 200μg aluminum hydroxide. On PNDs 22, 23 and 24, live pups received an airway challenge of OVA for 30min. Offspring from pregnant mice that received DEHP showed reductions in inflammatory cell count, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and eotaxin in their bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and in total immunoglobulin E and OVA-specific IgE in their plasma compared with offspring from pregnant mice that did not receive DEHP treatment. These results were consistent with histological analysis and immunoblotting. Maternal exposure to DEHP reduces airway inflammation and mucus production in offspring, with a decrease in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the lung tissue. This study suggests that maternal exposure to DEHP during pregnancy reduces asthmatic responses induced by OVA challenge in offspring. These effects were considered to be closely related to the suppression of Th2 immune responses and iNOS expression.
authors.affiliation: Basic Herbal Medicine Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 483 Expo-ro, Yusung-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: In-Sik
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Basic Herbal Medicine Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 483 Expo-ro, Yusung-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mee-Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Sang
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing and Health, Kongju National University, 56 Gongju Daehak-ro, Gongju, Chungnam 314-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hwa-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing and Health, Kongju National University, 56 Gongju Daehak-ro, Gongju, Chungnam 314-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: youl10@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Kyoung-Youl
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000276:immunology; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology; D007774:Lactation; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000009:adverse effects; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D019742:Chemokines, CC; D018793:Interleukin-13; D010968:Plasticizers; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse
keywords: Asthma; Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP); Maternal exposure; Offspring; Pregnancy