Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
2822073 
Journal Article 
Environmental factors and apoptotic indices in patients with intrauterine growth retardation: A nested case-control study 
El-Baz, MA; El-Deeb, TS; El-Noweihi, AM; Mohany, KM; Shaaban, OM; Abbas, AM 
2015 
Yes 
Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology
ISSN: 1382-6689
EISSN: 1872-7077 
39 
2 
589-596 
English 
25682005 
WOS:000353929900012 
BACKGROUND: Egypt has one of the highest incidences of IUGR. The current study investigates the effect of heavy metals toxicity as risk factors of IUGR and determines the possible role of increased apoptosis in their pathogenesis.

METHODS: This study was conducted in Assiut, Egypt, included 60 women diagnosed to have IUGR. We measured lead and cadmium levels in blood besides arsenic and cadmium levels in urine. Neonatal scalp hair sample were analyzed for arsenic content. Quantitative determination of human placental Bcl-2 and caspase-3 were performed.

RESULTS: There are significantly higher levels of heavy metals and caspase-3 and lower levels of placental Bcl-2 in the IUGR group. The levels of heavy metals were positively correlated with caspase-3 while negatively correlated (except cadmium) with Bcl-2 levels.

CONCLUSIONS: There is an alarming high level of heavy metals toxicity in Egypt that was positively correlated to IUGR. Increased placental apoptosis may be one of the possible mechanisms behind the effect. 
IUGR; Lead; Cadmium; Arsenic; Apoptosis; Caspase-3