Downregulation of peritoneal macrophage activity in mice exposed to bisphenol A during pregnancy and lactation

Arch Pharm Res. 2007 Nov;30(11):1476-81. doi: 10.1007/BF02977374.

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental endocrine disrupter that is known to be transferred to the fetus via the placenta and to the neonate via milk. In this study, we investigated BPA-induced alterations of the activities of murine peritoneal macrophages in dams and 7 week old offspring of dams exposed to BPA from gestational day 7 until lactation on day 21 after delivery, i.e. 34-36 days. BPA was administered in drinking water at three doses, 15, 75, and 300 mg/L. Dams were sacrificed 21 days after delivery and offspring at the age of 7 weeks. Peritoneal macrophages were cultured in the presence of LPS or LPS plus IFN-gamma for 2 or 4 days. We found that nitric oxide (NO) production by maternal macrophages was significantly decreased in a BPA-dose dependent manner. However, while a significant reduction of NO production by macrophages in the offspring was observed at BPA concentrations of 75 mg/L and 300 mg/L in drinking water, this effect was not seen at the lowest concentration of 15 mg/L. Similar inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production was observed with macrophages from both BPA-exposed dams and offspring. Thus, our results suggest that exposure to BPA during gestation and lactation induces downregulation of the activities of macrophages in both dams and offspring.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Fetus / drug effects*
  • Lactation / immunology
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / drug effects*
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / physiology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Phenols / toxicity*
  • Pregnancy
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Phenols
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Nitric Oxide
  • bisphenol A