Investigating the Effects of Exposure to PFOA During Pregnancy on the Expression of Neurotrophin 3 (NT3) and Neurotrophin 4 (NT4) Factors in the Brain of Newborn Rats

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have shown perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) causes organ cytotoxicity. There are high levels of PFOA in cord blood that may affect organogenesis. In the present study, the effects of exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) during pregnancy were investigated on the expression of neurotrophin 3 (NT3) and neurotrophin 4 (NT4) factors in the rat brain.Methods: In this study, the newborns brains of 35 pregnant Wistar rats were used. Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, including control groups, sham groups, and three groups receiving PFOA at the rate of 1, 5, and 10 mg per kilogram of body weight, were used. In the group receiving PFOA, this compound was given daily using the gavage technique. Using ELISA and Real-Time PCR methods, we investigated the expression of NT3 and NT4 factors in the brain of newborn mice 20 days after birth.Findings: The results showed that the average expression of NT3 and NT4 genes and proteins in the PFOA receiving groups, especially in the 5 and 10 mg PFOA groups, significantly increased compared to other groups (P = 0.001).Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that exposure to PFOA during pregnancy can lead to increased expression of NT3 and NT4 factors. Increasing these factors by suppressing the oxidant and apoptotic effects of PFOA can prevent PFOA-induced neurological disorders. © 2024 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.