Prevention of diabetes-associated embryopathy by overexpression of the free radical scavenger copper zinc superoxide dismutase in transgenic mouse embryos

OBJECTIVES: It has recently been suggested that oxygen free radicals are involved in the high incidence of fetal dysmorphogenesis that is associated with diabetic pregnancies. The purpose of the current investigation was to study the effect of copper zinc superoxide dismutase, a free radical scavenging enzyme, on the prevention of diabetes-associated embryopathy in mice. STUDY DESIGN: Mice used in this study were either transgenic, bearing the human copper zinc superoxide dismutase gene, or nontransgenic controls. Diabetes was generated by streptozotocin administration on days 6 and 7 of gestation. Hyperglycemia developed on day 8 and was maintained through day 10 (critical period of organogenesis). On day 10 fetuses were examined for external anomalies, and their crown-rump lengths and deoxyribonucleic acid content were determined. RESULTS: Induction of maternal diabetes produced a significant reduction in mean crown-rump length of control embryos (4.48 ± 0.7 mm vs 3.65 ± 0.6 mm, p = 0.0001), whereas trangenic embryos were not affected (4.72 ± 0.6 mm vs 4.45 ± 0.8 mm, p> 0.05). After induction of diabetes fetal loss and malformation rates were significantly higher in control embryos (6.0% vs 23.8% and 8.4% vs 16.5%, respectively). Transgenic embryos were practically unaffected by diabetes and showed fetal loss and malformation rates of 5.9% and 4.4%, respectively, after induction of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of copper zinc superoxide dismutase, a key enzyme in the metabolism of free oxygen radicals, elicit a protective effect against diabetes-associated embryopathy.