Maternal blood metal concentrations are associated with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) among pregnant women in Puerto Rico.

ABSTRACT:

Background/aim

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important regulators of uterine remodeling, a critical process for healthy pregnancies, and studies have revealed a link between an imbalance in MMPs and adverse birth outcomes. Toxicological studies have indicated that exposure to heavy metals can alter the levels of inflammatory cytokines, including MMPs. Despite growing evidence, the clear association between heavy metal exposure and MMPs has yet to be explored extensively in human populations. To have a better understanding of the association, in this study, we assessed associations between maternal blood metal levels with MMPs among 617 pregnant women in the Puerto Rico PROTECT birth cohort.

Methods

We measured blood concentrations for 11 metals in the first and/or sec

SUBMITTER: Kim C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10443181 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature