Abstract
To investigate the mechanism perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)’s toxicity on the uterus and liver of the mice during early pregnancy, pregnant mice were given 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 40 mg/kg PFOA daily by gavage from gestational day (GD) 1-7, and sacrificed on GD 9. Uterus and liver weight were recorded, liver and uterine indexes were calculated, histopathological changes of the liver and uterus were examined, and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in liver were detected by spectrophotometric method. Expression of FAS, FASL, Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3 in decidual cells were detected by immunohistochemistry and the TUNEL method was used to detect apoptotic uterine cells. Results showed that liver weight increased, and the uterus index was significantly reduced at 40 mg/kg compared with the control group. With increasing doses of PFOA, levels of SOD and GSH-PX were significantly decreased, and MDA significantly increased in liver tissue. 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg of PFOA caused greater harm to the uterus and congestion and resorption may occur. Expression of FAS, FASL, Bax, and Caspase-3 in decidual cells of the uterus in PFOA treatment groups significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated, which decreased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. It is therefore proposed that oxidative damage may be one of the mechanisms by which PFOA induces liver toxicity, and a subsequent increase in uterine cell apoptosis may induce embryo loss or damage.
Perfluorooctanoic Acid Exposure in Early Pregnancy Induces Oxidative Stress in The Uterus and Liver in Mice
