[Maternal iron overload results in liver damage in rat offspring].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of iron overload on the liver tissue and function of maternal rats' offspring. METHODS: Forty pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups, high-dose group, middle-dose group, low-dose group (120, 60 and 30 mg/kg BW) and control group. Iron detran was administered by intraperitoneal injection every other day and the entire trial lasted for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, the iron serum levels, GOT and GPT of rats' offspring were determined. Histological changes of the liver injury were measured. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in liver were measured by immunohistochemistry method. In addition, MDA, SOD and GSH-Px in liver were assessed by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, the level of serum iron in control group was significantly lower than in middle-dose and high-dose group (P < 0.05), and the result of level of liver iron was similar with that. According to the HE staining, it showed that liver cell gradually was damaged with the increasing of accumulation of hepatic iron. The expression of Bcl-2/Bax was significantly higher in control group than in middle-dose and high-dose groups (P < 0.05). The levels of serum GPT and GOT in high-dose group were significantly higher in control group (P < 0.05). The levels of Liver MDA in middle-dose and high-dose groups were both significantly higher than in control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the levels of liver GSH-Px and SOD in high-dose group were significantly lower than in control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Iron overload in maternal rats may result in excessive iron deposition and oxidative damage of liver tissue and cell function in maternal rats' offspring.