Caffeine interferes embryonic development through over-stimulating serotonergic system in chicken embryo

Xiao Di Li, Rong Rong He, Yang Qin, Bun Tsoi, Yi Fang Li, Zheng Lai Ma, Xuesong Yang, Hiroshi Kurihara

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The potential harmful effects of caffeine in pregnant women aroused public interests due to its possibility to jeopardize fetal development. Monoamine neurotransmitters are thought to regulate neural development processes through maternal-fetal interactions, which may have long term impact on mental and behavioral effects. The current study focuses on investigating the effects of caffeine on the monoamine neurotransmitter system using developmental chicken embryos. The ED 50 value of caffeine toxicity was 27.3μmol/egg in chicken embryo. Administration of caffeine, with lower dosage than ED 50 (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0μmol/egg), caused failure of neural tube closure. In addition, contents of 5-HT and its metabolite 5-HIAA were increased under dosage of 10.0μmol/egg caffeine administration. Gene expression of TPH2 was also increased by caffeine treatment. Caffeine could result in defect of neural tube closure and induce disorder of serotonergic system development, which may increase teratogenic rate of embryos. Meanwhile, it is probably an underlying factor for inducing psychological and behavioral disorders in adult. Moreover, caffeine was found to be accumulated in the embryonic brain and not being metabolized, which may incur a magnification of adverse effects. This study may provide valuable data for further investigations on toxicology of caffeine during different stages of pregnancy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1848-1853
Number of pages6
JournalFood and Chemical Toxicology
Volume50
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 5-HT
  • Brain
  • Caffeine
  • Chicken embryo
  • Monoamine neurotransmitter
  • Neural tube

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Toxicology

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