Antiteratogenic Effects of β-Carotene in Cultured Mouse Embryos Exposed to Nicotine. (8th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Chunmei; Yon, Jung-Min; Jung, A Young; Lee, Jong Geol; Jung, Ki Youn; Lee, Beom Jun; Yun, Young Won; Nam, Sang-Yoon
• Other Names: Vannacci Alfredo Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-05-08
• Subjects: Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/575287
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-427X

Abstract

Abstract : After maternal intake, nicotine crosses the placental barrier and causes severe embryonic disorders and fetal death. In this study, we investigated whether β -carotene has a beneficial effect against nicotine-induced teratogenesis in mouse embryos (embryonic day 8.5) cultured for 48 h in a whole embryo culture system. Embryos exposed to nicotine (1 mM) exhibited severe morphological anomalies and apoptotic cell death, as well as increased levels of TNF- α, IL-1 β, and caspase 3 mRNAs, and lipid peroxidation. The levels of cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase (SOD), mitochondrial manganese-dependent SOD, cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (GPx), phospholipid hydroperoxide GPx, hypoxia inducible factor 1 α, and Bcl- x L mRNAs decreased, and SOD activity was reduced compared to the control group. However, when β -carotene (1 × 10 − 7 or 5 × 10 − 7 μ M) was present in cultures of embryos exposed to nicotine, these parameters improved significantly. These findings indicate that β -carotene effectively protects against nicotine-induced teratogenesis in mouse embryos through its antioxidative, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities.