Intergrated epigenetics, transcriptomics and metabolomics to analyze the mechanism of Benzo[a]pyrene neurotoxicity in hippocampus

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the global effect of B[a]P on DNA methylation, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and coding RNAs expression in the rat hippocampus. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was applied to assess hippocampus DNA methylation, ncRNAs and coding RNAs expression. Results: Exposure to B[a]P could influence the levels of DNA methylation, and the expression profiles of ncRNAs and mRNAs in rats. Conclusions: B[a]P could bring on the epigenetics changes as well as the transcriptomics changes and further affected gene expression. B[a]P was dissolved in corn oil. The B[a]P-treated rat was administered by oral gavage each day in a dose of 2.0mg/kg B[a]P and the control rat was also administered by oral gavage but with equivalent volume of corn oil. Then high-throughput sequencing was performed for B[a]P-treated and control rat hippocampal.