Pesticide exposure during pregnancy, like nicotine, affects the brainstem alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression, increasing the risk of sudden unexplained perinatal death

作者：Lavezzi Anna Maria^*; Cappiello Achille; Pusiol Teresa; Coma Melissa Felicita; Termopoli Veronica; Matturri Luigi

来源：Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 2015, 348(1-2): 94-100.

DOI：10.1016/j.jns.2014.11.014

• Nicotine
• Pesticides
• Nicotinic receptors
• Neuropathology
• SIDS
• SIUDS

This study indicates the impact of nicotine and pesticides (organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides used in agriculture) on neuronal alpha 7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression in brainstem regions receiving cholinergic projections in human perinatal life. An in-depth anatomopathological examination of the autonomic nervous system and immunohistochemistry to analyze the alpha 7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression in the brainstem from 44 fetuses and newborns were performed. In addition, the presence of selected agricultural pesticides in cerebral cortex samples of the victims was determined by specific analytical procedures. Hypodevelopment of brainstem structures checking the vital functions, frequently associated with alpha 7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor immunopositivity and smoke absorption in pregnancy, was observed in high percentages of victims of sudden unexpected perinatal death. In nearly 30% of cases however the mothers never smoked, but lived in rural areas. The search for pesticides highlighted in many of these cases traces of both organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides. We detain that exposition to pesticides in pregnancy produces homologous actions to those of nicotine on neuronal alpha 7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, allowing to developmental alterations of brainstem vital centers in victims of sudden unexplained death.

• 出版日期2015-1-15