Cadmium (Cd), a toxic heavy metal, produces various forms of environmental contaminations and health problems in human. In this study, we aimed to examine the localization of several apoptotic markers in human placentas from pregnant women who were environmentally exposed to Cd. Twelve pregnant women participated in this analysis and they were divided into 2 groups according to their living areas: high-Cd (H-Cd) and low-Cd (L-Cd) groups. After delivery, the placentas were immediately harvested, and the placental width, length, and weight were measured. The placental Cd concentration was determined by using ICP-MS. The expression of three apoptotic markers, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved lamin A/C, and TUNEL, was examined in immunohistochemistry. In results, the placental Cd concentration in the H-Cd group was higher than that in the L-Cd group. In contrast, a significant decrease in the BW (birth weight):PW (placenta weight) ratio representing the placental nutrient transport function was found in the H-Cd group, and an inverse correlation between placental Cd concentration and BW:PW ratio was demonstrated. Additionally, significant elevations in the expression of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved lamin A/C proteins, and TUNEL were shown in the H-Cd placenta. Moreover, positive correlations were found between the placental Cd concentration and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and TUNEL. Collectively, our findings suggest that the exposure of pregnant women to environmental Cd might induce Cd to be transferred to the body and then accumulated in the placenta, resulting in disturbance of the placental function and eventual apoptosis.

镉 (Cd) 是一种有毒重金属，会对人类产生各种形式的环境污染和健康问题。在这项研究中，我们旨在检查环境暴露于 Cd 的孕妇的人类胎盘中几种凋亡标志物的定位。12 名孕妇参与了这项分析，她们根据居住地区分为 2 组：高镉 (H-Cd) 组和低镉 (L-Cd) 组。分娩后立即采集胎盘，测量胎盘的宽度、长度和重量。胎盘 Cd 浓度使用 ICP-MS 测定。在免疫组织化学中检查了三种凋亡标记物（cleaved caspase-3、cleaved lamin A/C 和 TUNEL）的表达。结果，H-Cd组胎盘Cd浓度高于L-Cd组。相比之下，在 H-Cd 组中发现代表胎盘营养转运功能的 BW（出生体重）：PW（胎盘重量）比值显着降低，并且胎盘 Cd 浓度与 BW：PW 比值之间呈负相关. 此外，H-Cd 胎盘中裂解的 caspase-3、裂解的核纤层蛋白 A/C 蛋白和 TUNEL 的表达显着升高。此外，胎盘Cd浓度与cleaved caspase-3和TUNEL的表达呈正相关。总的来说，我们的研究结果表明，孕妇暴露于环境 Cd 可能会导致 Cd 转移到体内，然后在胎盘中积累，导致胎盘功能紊乱并最终导致细胞凋亡。在 H-Cd 组中发现了代表胎盘营养转运功能的 PW（胎盘重量）比率，并且证明了胎盘 Cd 浓度与 BW:PW 比率之间的负相关。此外，H-Cd 胎盘中裂解的 caspase-3、裂解的核纤层蛋白 A/C 蛋白和 TUNEL 的表达显着升高。此外，胎盘Cd浓度与cleaved caspase-3和TUNEL的表达呈正相关。总的来说，我们的研究结果表明，孕妇暴露于环境 Cd 可能会导致 Cd 转移到体内，然后在胎盘中积累，导致胎盘功能紊乱并最终导致细胞凋亡。在 H-Cd 组中发现了代表胎盘营养转运功能的 PW（胎盘重量）比，并且证明了胎盘 Cd 浓度与 BW:PW 比之间的负相关。此外，H-Cd 胎盘中裂解的 caspase-3、裂解的核纤层蛋白 A/C 蛋白和 TUNEL 的表达显着升高。此外，胎盘Cd浓度与cleaved caspase-3和TUNEL的表达呈正相关。总的来说，我们的研究结果表明，孕妇暴露于环境 Cd 可能会导致 Cd 转移到体内，然后在胎盘中积累，导致胎盘功能紊乱并最终导致细胞凋亡。并且证明了胎盘 Cd 浓度和 BW:PW 比率之间的负相关。此外，H-Cd 胎盘中裂解的 caspase-3、裂解的核纤层蛋白 A/C 蛋白和 TUNEL 的表达显着升高。此外，胎盘Cd浓度与cleaved caspase-3和TUNEL的表达呈正相关。总的来说，我们的研究结果表明，孕妇暴露于环境 Cd 可能会导致 Cd 转移到体内，然后在胎盘中积累，导致胎盘功能紊乱并最终导致细胞凋亡。并且证明了胎盘 Cd 浓度和 BW:PW 比率之间的负相关。此外，H-Cd 胎盘中裂解的 caspase-3、裂解的核纤层蛋白 A/C 蛋白和 TUNEL 的表达显着升高。此外，胎盘Cd浓度与cleaved caspase-3和TUNEL的表达呈正相关。总的来说，我们的研究结果表明，孕妇暴露于环境 Cd 可能会导致 Cd 转移到体内，然后在胎盘中积累，导致胎盘功能紊乱并最终导致细胞凋亡。此外，胎盘Cd浓度与cleaved caspase-3和TUNEL的表达呈正相关。总的来说，我们的研究结果表明，孕妇暴露于环境 Cd 可能会导致 Cd 转移到体内，然后在胎盘中积累，导致胎盘功能紊乱并最终导致细胞凋亡。此外，胎盘Cd浓度与cleaved caspase-3和TUNEL的表达呈正相关。总的来说，我们的研究结果表明，孕妇暴露于环境 Cd 可能会导致 Cd 转移到体内，然后在胎盘中积累，导致胎盘功能紊乱并最终导致细胞凋亡。