Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Biochemistry

Background/Aims: Exposure to environmental pollutants during developmental stage represents a serious problem concerning human health as the embryo is relatively susceptible to impact from adverse conditions within the mother's environment. Subsequently, the data about the effects of trans-placental passage of diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) or fenitrothion (FEN) individually and their combination is limited. So, the present study objective to testify the interactions between DEPs and/or FEN with cardiac and renal cell cycles and their abilities to induce apoptosis in hand and the possible prevention role of flaxseed (FS) in another hand. Methods: A total of forty-eight timed pregnant rats were distributed into eight groups (n=6). The first was saved as normal control and the 2nd was received 15% FS in the diet. The 3rd, 4th and 5th groups were exposed to DEPs (1.5 mg/kg), FEN (3.76 mg/kg) and combination of DEPs & FEN, respectively. The 6th, 7th, and 8th were treated with FS as well as intoxication with DEPs, FEN and their combination, respectively. The FS was added to diet from the 1st day of gestation while DEPs and/or FEN intoxication began at the 6th day of gestation. At day 19th of gestation blood sample withdrew from mothers for blood biochemistry estimation, uteri were dissected to collecting the foetuses and evaluate the intrauterine growth retardations. Foetal hearts and kidneys were also used for histopathological examination, caspase-3 gene expression by RT-PCR and DNA damage via comet assay

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