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Vascular Effects, Potential Pathways and Mediators of Fetal Exposure to Alcohol and Cigarette Smoking during Pregnancy: A Narrative Review

Author

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  • Tammy C. Hartel

    (Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town 7530, South Africa)

  • André Oelofse

    (Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town 7530, South Africa)

  • Juléy J. A. De Smidt

    (Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town 7530, South Africa)

Abstract

(1) Background: Programming of atherosclerosis results in vascular structure and function alterations, which may be attributed to fetal exposure to maternal tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and several lifestyle factors in the first few years of life. This review aims to study the effects of teratogen exposure in utero on vascular dysfunction in offspring and consider mediators and pathways originating from the fetal environment. (2) Methods: Eligible studies were identified in the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases. After the full-text screening, 20 articles were included in the narrative synthesis. (3) Results: The literature presents evidence supporting the detrimental effects of fetal exposure to tobacco smoking on vascular alterations in both human and animal studies. Alcohol exposure impaired endothelial dilation in animal studies, but human studies on both tobacco and alcohol exposure are still sparse. Reduction in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and alterations in the epigenome in infants through the upregulation of pro-oxidative and proinflammatory genes may be the common denominators. (4) Conclusion: While maternal smoking and alcohol consumption have more negative outcomes on the infant in the short term, several factors during the first few years of life may mediate the development of vascular dysfunction. Therefore, more prospective studies are needed to ascertain the long-term effects of teratogen exposure, specifically in South Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Tammy C. Hartel & André Oelofse & Juléy J. A. De Smidt, 2023. "Vascular Effects, Potential Pathways and Mediators of Fetal Exposure to Alcohol and Cigarette Smoking during Pregnancy: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-19, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:14:p:6398-:d:1197426
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Todd M. Everson & Marta Vives-Usano & Emie Seyve & Andres Cardenas & Marina Lacasaña & Jeffrey M. Craig & Corina Lesseur & Emily R. Baker & Nora Fernandez-Jimenez & Barbara Heude & Patrice Perron & Be, 2021. "Placental DNA methylation signatures of maternal smoking during pregnancy and potential impacts on fetal growth," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.
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