Review Article

Oxidative Stress as a Common Key Event in Developmental Neurotoxicity

Table 3

Developmental neurotoxins targeting NADPH oxidase.

ChemicalExposure, speciesToxicities on NOX in the developing brainOther findings in pupsReferences

SevofluraneMouse pups at PND6 were anesthetized with 3% sevoflurane in 40% oxygen for 6 hp22phox protein expression was increased in the brain shortly after exposureROS, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase-3 were increased in the brain shortly after exposure. Abnormal freezing behavior was observed at 11-13 weeks of age. These toxicities were suppressed by cotreatment with the NOX inhibitor[78]
SevofluraneMouse pups were anesthetized with 3% sevoflurane in 40% oxygen for 2 h daily from PND6 to PND8NOX2 protein expression was increased in FC and HC shortly after exposureApoptosis was increased in the brain shortly after exposure. Abnormal freezing behavior and the impairments of spatial learning and memory were observed at 9-11 weeks of age[77]
EthanolPregnant mice at GD8 were injected IP with ethanol (12 g/kg)The mRNA expressions of Duox2, Noxa1, and Noxo1 were increased in the brains on GD18The mRNA expressions of Noxa1 and p67phox were increased in the placenta and liver, respectively, on GD18[81]
EthanolPregnant mice at GD9 were injected IP with ethanol (2.9 g/kg)The mRNA expressions of Duox1, Noxa1, Noxo1, p22phox, p67phox, and Rac1 were increased in the brains shortly after exposureNOX activity, ROS generation, oxidative DNA damage, and apoptosis were increased in the brains shortly after exposure. These toxicities were suppressed by cotreatment with the NOX inhibitor[82]

GD: gestational day; PND: postnatal day; FC: frontal cortex; HC: hippocampus; IP: intraperitoneal.