Gestational PCB52 exposure induces hepatotoxicity and intestinal injury by activating inflammation in dam and offspring mice: A maternal and progeny study

Although Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels are decreased in the environment, the adverse effects of gestational exposure on the mother and offspring cannot be ignored due to the vulnerability of the fetus. In the present study, pregnant Balb/c mice were administered PCB52 (1 mg/kg BW/day) or corn oil vehicle by gavage until parturition. In the dams, PCB52 caused histopathological changes in the liver, higher serum levels of aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and activated apoptosis and autophagy, suggesting hepatotoxicity. Overexpressed indicators of TLR4 pathway were observed in the liver of PCB52-exposed dams, indicated hepatic inflammation. Moreover, PCB52 exposure weakened the intestinal barrier and triggered inflammatory response, which might contribute to the hepatic inflammation by gut-liver axis. In the pups, prenatal PCB52 exposure affected the sex ratio at birth and reduced birth length and weights. Similar to the dams, prenatal PCB52 exposure induced hepatotoxicity in the pups without gender difference. Consistent with the alteration of gut microbiota, intestinal inflammation was confirmed, accompanying the disruption in the intestinal barrier and the activation of apoptosis and autophagy in the PCB52-exposed pups. Intestinal injury might be responsible for hepatotoxicity at least in part. Taken together, these findings suggested that gestational PCB52 exposure induced hepatic and intestinal injury in both maternal and offspring mice by arousing inflammation.