In Utero Caffeine Exposure Induces Transgenerational Effects on the Adult Heart.

ABSTRACT: Each year millions of pregnant woman are exposed to caffeine, which acts to antagonize adenosine action. The long-term consequences of this exposure on the developing fetus are largely unknown, although in animal models we have found adverse effects on cardiac function. To assess if these effects are transmitted transgenerationally, we exposed pregnant mice to caffeine equivalent to 2-4 cups of coffee at two embryonic stages. Embryos (F1 generation) exposed to caffeine early from embryonic (E) day 6.5-9.5 developed a phenotype similar to dilated cardiomyopathy by 1 year of age. Embryos exposed to caffeine later (E10.5-13.5) were not affected. We next examined the F2 generation and F3 generation of mice exposed to caffeine from E10.5-13.5, as this coincides with germ cell development. These

SUBMITTER: Fang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5039698 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature