Co-expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and estrogen receptor in the developing teeth of rat offspring after rat mothers' exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and the protective action of α-tocopherol and acetylsalicylic acid

Background. Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) can cause adverse effects in many organs. Toxic effects are caused due to the formation of a TCDD complex with the cytoplasmatic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), whose mechanism of action is similar to that of the estrogen receptor (ER). Some substances, including alpha-tocopherol (E) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), can reduce the toxic effects of TCDD in offspring. Objectives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the co-expression of AhR and ER in the incisors of rat offspring whose mothers were exposed to TCDD, using immunohistochemical and histological techniques. Moreover, the possible protective role of E and ASA was investigated. Material and methods. Four groups of 2-day-old rat offspring, whose mothers were intoxicated by TCDD before mating, were established: control group (C), TCDD group, TCDD+E group and TCDD+ASA group. Results. In the TCDD group, there was an increase in ER expression and a decrease in AhR expression in comparison with the C group. In the TCDD+E and TCDD+ASA groups, there was a weak or negative ER expression and slightly stronger expression of AhR than in the TCDD group. Conclusions. The co-expression of AhR and ER during tooth development suggests the role of AhR and ER in the control of this process. Both receptors are also involved in the process of detoxification of TCDD. The increase in AhR in TCDD+E and TCDD+ASA groups indicate a preventive action of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pharmaceutics, which may limit negative effects of TCDD.