What lessons have we learnt about the impact of maternal cigarette smoking from animal models?

What lessons have we learnt about the impact of maternal cigarette smoking from animal models? Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2019 Sep 25;: Authors: Chan YL, Oliver BG, Chen H Abstract Maternal first or second-hand tobacco smoking during pregnancy is still common albeit the known detrimental effects to the unborn child. Maternal tobacco cigarette smoking (SE) can affect multiple organ systems in the offspring, rendering them to increased risk of various conditions throughout life (eg. intrauterine underdevelopment, asthma, substance abuse, diabetes). However, this review will only focus on its impact on the brain and the related molecular changes in the offspring based on evidence from animal studies. Although epidemiological studies have identified the associations between maternal SE and brain disorders, animal models can help identify the underlying mechanisms and test interventions. Human studies have found that maternal SE is closely linked to small brain size and changes in brain structure and associated with a high risk of cognitive defects. Animal models suggest that this may be due to increased brain oxidative stress and inflammation during the neonatal period, leading to increased brain cell apoptosis in adulthood. There is a distinct gender bias of such impacts, where male offspring are more affected than female. Female offspring seem to have developed the adaptation by increasing endogenous antioxidant levels. Indeed, animal...
Source: Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol Source Type: research