Expression of IL-1β in hippocampus of offspring with maternal lead exposure

To find the effects of lead taken by pregnant mice on the expression of IL-1β,and to reveal the mechanism of neurotoxicity induced by lead,lead exposure was conducted through freely drinking the corresponding lead acetate solutions at 0.3,1.0,3.0 g/L lead respectively.Each group was composed of 10 mice.7,14 and 21 d after their birth,the lead contents in blood and hippocampus of the offspring were determined.At 21 d,the expression of IL-1β in hippocampus of the offspring in various dosages groups were determined by Western blot.At 7,14,21 d post lead exposure,the lead levels in blood and hippocampus of the offspring were higher than those in control group(P0.05).The results of Western blot showed that the expression of IL-1β protein in hippocampus was higher in the lead exposure groups than that of control group(P0.05).Maternal lead exposure may induce the accumulation of lead in blood and hippocampus of offspring,and up-regulated the expression of IL-1β in hippocampus of pups,which could result in learning and memory damages.