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The Effect of Nitric Oxide Pollution on Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women Living in Durban, South Africa

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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect nitric oxide (NO x ) pollution had on maternal serum 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women living in Durban, South Africa (SA). Women, in their third trimester with singleton pregnancies, were recruited from the heavily industrialised south (n = 225) and less industrialised north (n = 152). Biomarker levels of serum 8-OHdG concentrations were analysed, and the women were genotyped for glutathione-S-transferases pi 1 (GSTP1) and glutathione-S-transferases mu 1 (GSTM1) polymorphisms. The level of NO x pollution in the two regions was determined by using land use regression modelling. The serum 8-OHdG was shown to correlate significantly with NO x levels; this relationship was strengthened in the south (p < 0.05). This relationship was still observed after adjusting for maternal characteristics. GSTP1 was significantly associated with the south region, where the variant (AG+GG) genotype was associated with increased 8-OHdG levels as a result of NO x exposure (p < 0.05). GSTM1 null genotype was associated with a positive correlation between NO x and 8-OHdG levels (p < 0.05). NO x levels were found marginally to reduce gestational age (p < 0.05) with mothers carrying male neonates. Variant GSTP1 and living in the north were factors that contributed to gestational age reduction (p < 0.05). Our study demonstrated that NO x exposure resulted in increased 8-OHdG levels in pregnant women living in Durban, SA, which led to gestational age reduction. The GSTP1 variant increased susceptibility of individuals to harmful effects of NO x .

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Acknowledgements

S.M. Anderson was supported by the National Research Foundation Innovative Doctoral Scholarship (Grant UID: 88564). This research was supported by the National Research Foundation (Grant UID: 90550), Medical Research Council, South Africa, AstraZeneca, South Africa and the College of Health Science, UKZN. Special thanks are given to all involved in the MACE study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Third Floor, George Campbell Building, Howard Campus, King George V Avenue, Durban, 4041, South Africa

    Samantha M. Anderson, Prithiksha Ramkaran, Alisa Phulukdaree & Anil A. Chuturgoon

  2. Discipline of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa

    Rajen N. Naidoo, Sheena Muttoo & Kareshma Asharam

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  1. Samantha M. Anderson
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Correspondence to Anil A. Chuturgoon.

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The Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (BF263/12) approved the study including the use of human subjects.

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Anderson, S.M., Naidoo, R.N., Ramkaran, P. et al. The Effect of Nitric Oxide Pollution on Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women Living in Durban, South Africa. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 74, 228–239 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-017-0465-y

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