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Yu G, Wu L, Su Q, Ji X, Zhou J, Wu S, Tang Y, Li H. Neurotoxic effects of heavy metal pollutants in the environment: Focusing on epigenetic mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 345:123563. [PMID: 38355086 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The pollution of heavy metals (HMs) in the environment is a significant global environmental issue, characterized by its extensive distribution, severe contamination, and profound ecological impacts. Excessive exposure to heavy metal pollutants can damage the nervous system. However, the mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity of most heavy metals are not completely understood. Epigenetics is defined as a heritable change in gene function that can influence gene and subsequent protein expression levels without altering the DNA sequence. Growing evidence indicates that heavy metals can induce neurotoxic effects by triggering epigenetic changes and disrupting the epigenome. Compared with genetic changes, epigenetic alterations are more easily reversible. Epigenetic reprogramming techniques, drugs, and certain nutrients targeting specific epigenetic mechanisms involved in gene expression regulation are emerging as potential preventive or therapeutic tools for diseases. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of epigenetic modifications encompassing DNA/RNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs in the nervous system, elucidating their association with various heavy metal exposures. These primarily include manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), sliver (Ag), toxic metalloids arsenic (As), and etc. The potential epigenetic mechanisms in the etiology, precision prevention, and target therapy of various neurodevelopmental disorders or different neurodegenerative diseases are emphasized. In addition, the current gaps in research and future areas of study are discussed. From a perspective on epigenetics, this review offers novel insights for prevention and treatment of neurotoxicity induced by heavy metal pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxia Yu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Lingyan Wu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Qianqian Su
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Xianqi Ji
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jinfu Zhou
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Fujian Maternity and Child Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Siying Wu
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Fujian Center for Prevention and Control Occupational Diseases and Chemical Poisoning, Fuzhou 350125, China
| | - Huangyuan Li
- Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China.
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Cediel-Ulloa A, Lindner S, Rüegg J, Broberg K. Epigenetics of methylmercury. Neurotoxicology 2023; 97:34-46. [PMID: 37164037 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Methylmercury (MeHg) is neurotoxic at high levels and particularly affects the developing brain. One proposed mechanism of MeHg neurotoxicity is alteration of the epigenetic programming. In this review, we summarise the experimental and epidemiological literature on MeHg-associated epigenetic changes. RECENT FINDINGS Experimental and epidemiological studies have identified changes in DNA methylation following in utero exposure to MeHg, and some of the changes appear to be persistent. A few studies have evaluated associations between MeHg-related changes in DNA methylation and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Experimental studies reveal changes in histone modifications after MeHg exposure, but we lack epidemiological studies supporting such changes in humans. Experimental and epidemiological studies have identified microRNA-related changes associated with MeHg; however, more research is needed to conclude if these changes lead to persistent and toxic effects. SUMMARY MeHg appears to interfere with epigenetic processes, potentially leading to persistent changes. However, observed associations of mercury with epigenetic changes are as of yet of unknown relevance to neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cediel-Ulloa
- Department of Organism Biology, Uppsala University, Kåbovägen 4, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sabrina Lindner
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Department of Organism Biology, Uppsala University, Kåbovägen 4, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Broberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Mortillo M, Marsit CJ. Select Early-Life Environmental Exposures and DNA Methylation in the Placenta. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:22-34. [PMID: 36469294 PMCID: PMC10152976 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00385-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize recent literature relating early-life environmental exposures on DNA methylation in the placenta, to identify how variation in placental methylation is regulated in an exposure-specific manner, and to encourage additional work in this area. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple studies have evaluated associations between prenatal environmental exposures and placental methylation in both gene-specific and epigenome-wide frameworks. Specific exposures lead to unique variability in methylation, and cross-exposure assessments have uncovered certain genes that demonstrate consistency in differential placental methylation. Exposure studies that assess methylation effects in a trimester-specific approach tend to find larger effects during the 1st trimester exposure. Earlier studies have more targeted gene-specific approaches to methylation, while later studies have shifted towards epigenome-wide, array-based approaches. Studies focusing on exposures such as air pollution, maternal smoking, environmental contaminants, and trace metals appear to be more abundant, while studies of socioeconomic adversity and circadian disruption are scarce but demonstrate remarkable effects. Understanding the impacts of early-life environmental exposures on placental methylation is critical to establishing the link between the maternal environment, epigenetic variation, and long-term health. Future studies into this field should incorporate repeated measures of exposure throughout pregnancy, in order to determine the critical windows in which placental methylation is most heavily affected. Additionally, the use of methylation-based scores and sequencing technology could provide important insights into epigenetic gestational age and uncovering more genomic regions where methylation is affected. Studies examining the impact of other exposures on methylation, including pesticides, alcohol, and other chemicals are also warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Mortillo
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA.
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Ghemrawi M, Tejero NF, Duncan G, McCord B. Pyrosequencing: Current forensic methodology and future applications-a review. Electrophoresis 2023; 44:298-312. [PMID: 36168852 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202200177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The recent development of small, single-amplicon-based benchtop systems for pyrosequencing has opened up a host of novel procedures for applications in forensic science. Pyrosequencing is a sequencing by synthesis technique, based on chemiluminescent inorganic pyrophosphate detection. This review explains the pyrosequencing workflow and illustrates the step-by-step chemistry, followed by a description of the assay design and factors to keep in mind for an exemplary assay. Existing and potential forensic applications are highlighted using this technology. Current applications include identifying species, identifying bodily fluids, and determining smoking status. We also review progress in potential applications for the future, including research on distinguishing monozygotic twins, detecting alcohol and drug abuse, and other phenotypic characteristics such as diet and body mass index. Overall, the versatility of the pyrosequencing technologies renders it a useful tool in forensic genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Ghemrawi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Nicole Fernandez Tejero
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - George Duncan
- Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, Florida, USA
| | - Bruce McCord
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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Issah I, Arko-Mensah J, Rozek LS, Rentschler K, Agyekum TP, Dwumoh D, Batterman S, Robins TG, Fobil JN. Association between global DNA methylation (LINE-1) and occupational particulate matter exposure among informal electronic-waste recyclers in Ghana. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:2406-2424. [PMID: 34404291 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1969007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the associations between PM (2.5 and 10) and global DNA methylation among 100 e-waste workers and 51 non-e-waste workers serving as controls. Long interspersed nucleotide repetitive elements-1 (LINE-1) was measured by pyrosequencing. Personal PM2.5 and PM10 were measured over a 4-hour work-shift using real-time particulate monitors incorporated into a backpack . Linear regression models were used to assess the association between PM and LINE-1 DNA methylation. The concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were significantly higher among the e-waste workers than the controls (77.32 vs 34.88, p < 0.001 and 210.21 vs 121.92, p < 0.001, respectively). PM2.5 exposure was associated with increased LINE-1 CpG2 DNA methylation (β = 0.003; 95% CI; 0.001, 0.006; p = 0.022) but not with the average of all 4 CpG sites of LINE-1. In summary, high levels of PM2.5 exposure was associated with increased levels of global DNA methylation in a site-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Issah
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Ghana, School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana
| | - John Arko-Mensah
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Ghana, School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana
| | - Laura S Rozek
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Katie Rentschler
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Thomas P Agyekum
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Ghana, School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana
| | - Duah Dwumoh
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Ghana School of Public Health, Legon, Ghana
| | - Stuart Batterman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Thomas G Robins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Julius N Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Ghana, School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana
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Mutagenic, Carcinogenic, and Teratogenic Effect of Heavy Metals. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:8011953. [PMID: 36248437 PMCID: PMC9556253 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8011953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Heavy metal (HM)-induced toxicity and its associated complications have become a major issue in the medical world. HMs are not biodegradable, enter into the food chain, and gets accumulated in the living systems. Increased concentrations and accumulation of HMs can cause severely damaging effects and severe complications in living organisms and can even lead to the death of the organism. In Ayurvedic medicine, ingredients of natural origin, including whole plants or certain portions of the plant, animal sources, and minerals, are used for therapeutic purposes as medicine, both alone and in combination. HM such as cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, chromium, nickel, and arsenic cause hazardous effects on animals, human health, and the environment. This review focuses on mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic effects of HM , mechanism, organ toxicity, available remedies in the market, and their side effects. Also, emphasis is given to alternative systems of medicine to treat HM toxicity.
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Ruan XY, Tan SW, Zhu L, Shi YP, Yu JM, Zhang MB, Wang TS, Fu H. A multiple and comprehensive approach to assess health risk in amalgam-exposed Chinese workers. Front Public Health 2022; 10:999095. [PMID: 36203661 PMCID: PMC9530277 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.999095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent lamp manufacturing workers have been extensively exposed to mercury (Hg). Our aim was to assess their health risks using several approved occupational health risk assessment methods, and to find out which method was more suitable for identification of occupational health risks. Work locations, and air and urine samples were collected from 530 exposed workers in Zhejiang, China. Based on the calculated exposure doses, health risks and risk ratios (RRs) as health risk indices, were evaluated using: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Australian, Romanian, Singaporean, International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) methods. Among the workers, 86.0% had higher Hg levels than the Chinese occupational exposure limits of 0.02 mg/m3, and 16.7% urine samples were higher than the biological exposure limits of 35.0 μg/g·creatinine. Among workers at the injection, etc. locations, their average RRs, evaluated by the EPA, COSHH and Singaporean methods were 0.97, 0.76, and 0.60, respectively, and were significantly higher than the ICMM (0.39), Australian (0.30) and Romanian (0.29) methods. The RRs from the Singaporean method showed significant correlations with the urinary Hg levels (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the Singaporean method was more appropriate than the others for health risk evaluation because the excessive risks were significantly associated with urinary Hg levels among the workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-ying Ruan
- Department of Occupational Health, Hangzhou Hospital for Prevention and Treatment of Occupational Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Si-wei Tan
- Department of Occupational Health, Hangzhou Hospital for Prevention and Treatment of Occupational Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Department of Occupational Health, Hangzhou Hospital for Prevention and Treatment of Occupational Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan-peng Shi
- Department of Occupational Health, Hangzhou Hospital for Prevention and Treatment of Occupational Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-mian Yu
- Department of Occupational Health, Hangzhou Hospital for Prevention and Treatment of Occupational Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mei-bian Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Tong-shuai Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Tong-shuai Wang
| | - Hong Fu
- Department of Occupational Health, Hangzhou Hospital for Prevention and Treatment of Occupational Disease, Hangzhou, China,Hong Fu
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Svoboda LK, Perera BPU, Morgan RK, Polemi KM, Pan J, Dolinoy DC. Toxicoepigenetics and Environmental Health: Challenges and Opportunities. Chem Res Toxicol 2022; 35:1293-1311. [PMID: 35876266 PMCID: PMC9812000 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The rapidly growing field of toxicoepigenetics seeks to understand how toxicant exposures interact with the epigenome to influence disease risk. Toxicoepigenetics is a promising field of environmental health research, as integrating epigenetics into the field of toxicology will enable a more thorough evaluation of toxicant-induced disease mechanisms as well as the elucidation of the role of the epigenome as a biomarker of exposure and disease and possible mediator of exposure effects. Likewise, toxicoepigenetics will enhance our knowledge of how environmental exposures, lifestyle factors, and diet interact to influence health. Ultimately, an understanding of how the environment impacts the epigenome to cause disease may inform risk assessment, permit noninvasive biomonitoring, and provide potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention. However, the translation of research from this exciting field into benefits for human and animal health presents several challenges and opportunities. Here, we describe four significant areas in which we see opportunity to transform the field and improve human health by reducing the disease burden caused by environmental exposures. These include (1) research into the mechanistic role for epigenetic change in environment-induced disease, (2) understanding key factors influencing vulnerability to the adverse effects of environmental exposures, (3) identifying appropriate biomarkers of environmental exposures and their associated diseases, and (4) determining whether the adverse effects of environment on the epigenome and human health are reversible through pharmacologic, dietary, or behavioral interventions. We then highlight several initiatives currently underway to address these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie K Svoboda
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Bambarendage P U Perera
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Rachel K Morgan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Katelyn M Polemi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Junru Pan
- Department Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Dana C Dolinoy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Unlocking the potential of forensic traces: Analytical approaches to generate investigative leads. Sci Justice 2022; 62:310-326. [PMID: 35598924 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Forensic investigation involves gathering the information necessary to understand the criminal events as well as linking objects or individuals to an item, location or other individual(s) for investigative purposes. For years techniques such as presumptive chemical tests, DNA profiling or fingermark analysis have been of great value to this process. However, these techniques have their limitations, whether it is a lack of confidence in the results obtained due to cross-reactivity, subjectivity and low sensitivity; or because they are dependent on holding reference samples in a pre-existing database. There is currently a need to devise new ways to gather as much information as possible from a single trace, particularly from biological traces commonly encountered in forensic casework. This review outlines the most recent advancements in the forensic analysis of biological fluids, fingermarks and hair. Special emphasis is placed on analytical methods that can expand the information obtained from the trace beyond what is achieved in the usual practices. Special attention is paid to those methods that accurately determine the nature of the sample, as well as how long it has been at the crime scene, along with individualising information regarding the donor source of the trace.
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Famurewa AC, Renu K, Eladl MA, Chakraborty R, Myakala H, El-Sherbiny M, Elsherbini DMA, Vellingiri B, Madhyastha H, Ramesh Wanjari U, Goutam Mukherjee A, Valsala Gopalakrishnan A. Hesperidin and hesperetin against heavy metal toxicity: Insight on the molecular mechanism of mitigation. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 149:112914. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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Mercury and cancer: Where are we now after two decades of research? Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 164:113001. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Madhu NR, Sarkar B, Slama P, Jha NK, Ghorai SK, Jana SK, Govindasamy K, Massanyi P, Lukac N, Kumar D, Kalita JC, Kesari KK, Roychoudhury S. Effect of Environmental Stressors, Xenobiotics, and Oxidative Stress on Male Reproductive and Sexual Health. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1391:33-58. [PMID: 36472815 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-12966-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This article examines the environmental factor-induced oxidative stress (OS) and their effects on male reproductive and sexual health. There are several factors that induce OS, i.e. radition, metal contamination, xenobiotic compounds, and cigarette smoke and lead to cause toxicity in the cells through metabolic or bioenergetic processes. These environmental factors may produce free radicals and enhance the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Free radicals are molecules that include oxygen and disbalance the amount of electrons that can create major chemical chains in the body and cause oxidation. Oxidative damage to cells may impair male fertility and lead to abnormal embryonic development. Moreover, it does not only cause a vast number of health issues such as ageing, cancer, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and neurodegenerative disorders but also decreases the motility of spermatozoa while increasing sperm DNA damage, impairing sperm mitochondrial membrane lipids and protein kinases. This chapter mainly focuses on the environmental stressors with further discussion on the mechanisms causing congenital impairments due to poor sexual health and transmitting altered signal transduction pathways in male gonadal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nithar Ranjan Madhu
- Department of Zoology, Acharya Prafulla Chandra College, New Barrackpore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Bhanumati Sarkar
- Department of Botany, Acharya Prafulla Chandra College, New Barrackpore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Petr Slama
- Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida, India
| | | | - Sandip Kumar Jana
- Department of Zoology, Bajkul Milani Mahavidyalaya, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
| | - Kadirvel Govindasamy
- Animal Production Division, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Umiam, Meghalaya, India
| | - Peter Massanyi
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Norbert Lukac
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Dhruv Kumar
- School of Health Sciences & Technology, UPES University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Jogen C Kalita
- Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, India
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Methylmercury and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Mediterranean Seafood: A Molecular Anthropological Perspective. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app112311179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Eating seafood has numerous health benefits; however, it constitutes one of the main sources of exposure to several harmful environmental pollutants, both of anthropogenic and natural origin. Among these, methylmercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons give rise to concerns related to their possible effects on human biology. In the present review, we summarize the results of epidemiological investigations on the genetic component of individual susceptibility to methylmercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure in humans, and on the effects that these two pollutants have on human epigenetic profiles (DNA methylation). Then, we provide evidence that Mediterranean coastal communities represent an informative case study to investigate the potential impact of methylmercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the human genome and epigenome, since they are characterized by a traditionally high local seafood consumption, and given the characteristics that render the Mediterranean Sea particularly polluted. Finally, we discuss the challenges of a molecular anthropological approach to this topic.
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14
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Issah I, Arko-Mensah J, Rozek LS, Zarins KR, Agyekum TP, Dwomoh D, Basu N, Batterman S, Robins TG, Fobil JN. Global DNA (LINE-1) methylation is associated with lead exposure and certain job tasks performed by electronic waste workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 94:1931-1944. [PMID: 34148106 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01733-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study assessed the associations between blood and urine levels of toxic metals; cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), and methylation levels of the LINE-1 gene among e-waste and control populations in Ghana. METHODS The study enrolled 100 male e-waste workers and 51 all-male non-e-waste workers or controls. The concentrations of Cd and Pb were measured in blood and urine using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, while LINE1 methylation levels were assessed by pyrosequencing of bisulfite-converted DNA extracted from whole blood. Single and multiple metals linear regression models were used to determine the associations between metals and LINE1 DNA methylation. RESULTS Blood lead (BPb) and urine lead (UPb) showed higher median concentrations among the e-waste workers than the controls (76.82 µg/L vs 40.25 µg/L, p ≤ 0.001; and 6.89 µg/L vs 3.43 µg/L, p ≤ 0.001, respectively), whereas blood cadmium (BCd) concentration was lower in the e-waste workers compared to the controls (0.59 µg/L vs 0.81 µg/L, respectively, p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in LINE1 methylation between the e-waste and controls (85.16 ± 1.32% vs 85.17 ± 1.11%, p = 0.950). In our single metal linear regression models, BPb was significantly inversely associated with LINE1 methylation in the control group (βBPb = - 0.027, 95% CI - 0.045, - 0.010, p = 0.003). In addition, a weak association between BPb and LINE1 was observed in the multiple metals analysis in the e-waste worker group (βBPb = - 0.005, 95% CI - 0.011, 0.000, p = 0.058). CONCLUSION Continuous Pb exposure may interfere with LINE1 methylation, leading to epigenetic alterations, thus serving as an early epigenetic marker for future adverse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Issah
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, P.O. Box LG13, Accra, Ghana.
| | - John Arko-Mensah
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, P.O. Box LG13, Accra, Ghana
| | - Laura S Rozek
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Katie R Zarins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Thomas P Agyekum
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, P.O. Box LG13, Accra, Ghana
| | - Duah Dwomoh
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG13, Accra, Ghana
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Stuart Batterman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Thomas G Robins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Julius N Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, P.O. Box LG13, Accra, Ghana
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15
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Weyde KVF, Olsen AK, Duale N, Kamstra JH, Skogheim TS, Caspersen IH, Engel SM, Biele G, Xia Y, Meltzer HM, Aase H, Villanger GD. Gestational blood levels of toxic metal and essential element mixtures and associations with global DNA methylation in pregnant women and their infants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 787:147621. [PMID: 34000534 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant women and their fetuses are exposed to multiple toxic metals that together with variations in essential element levels may alter epigenetic regulation, such as DNA methylation. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to investigate the associations between gestational levels of toxic metals and essential elements and mixtures thereof, with global DNA methylation levels in pregnant women and their newborn children. METHODS Using 631 mother-child pairs from a prospective birth cohort (The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study), we measured maternal blood concentration (gestation week ~18) of five toxic metals and seven essential elements. We investigated associations as individual exposures and two-way interactions, using elastic net regression, and total mixture, using quantile g-computation, with blood levels of 5-methylcytocine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in mothers during pregnancy and their newborn children (cord blood). Multiple testing was adjusted for using the Benjamini and Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) approach. RESULTS The most sensitive marker of DNA methylation appeared to be 5mC levels. In pregnant mothers, elastic net regression indicated associations between 5mC and selenium and lead (non-linear), while in newborns results indicated relationships between maternal selenium, cobalt (non-linear) and mercury and 5mC, as well as copper (non-linear) and 5hmC levels. Several possible two-way interactions were identified (e.g. arsenic and mercury, and selenium and maternal smoking in newborns). None of these findings met the FDR threshold for multiple testing. No net effect was observed in the joint (mixture) exposure-approach using quantile g-computation. CONCLUSION We identified few associations between gestational levels of several toxic metals and essential elements and global DNA methylation in pregnant mothers and their newborn children. As DNA methylation dysregulation might be a key mechanism in disease development and thus of high importance for public health, our results should be considered as important candidates to investigate in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nur Duale
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jorke H Kamstra
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Stephanie M Engel
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Guido Biele
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Heidi Aase
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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16
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Evans L, Engelman M, Mikulas A, Malecki K. How are social determinants of health integrated into epigenetic research? A systematic review. Soc Sci Med 2021; 273:113738. [PMID: 33610974 PMCID: PMC8034414 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We systematically review the literature on social epigenetics, examining how empirical research to date has conceptualized and operationalized social determinants of health (SDOH). METHODS Using comprehensive search procedures, we identified studies that consider the impact of SDOH on DNA methylation (DNAm), the most common measure of epigenetic change in research on human adult populations. We analyzed the studies to determine: 1) which populations and environments have been investigated in the literature; 2) how SDOH are defined and operationalized; 3) which SDOH have been linked to DNAm; and 4) what lessons from the SDOH literature can be better integrated into future studies exploring the social determinants of health and epigenetic outcomes. RESULTS We identified 67 studies, with 39 to 8397 participants. The SDOH most commonly considered were early life socioeconomic exposures and early life trauma or mental health. Our review highlights four broad challenges: a) high dependence on convenience sampling, b) limited racial/ethnic, and geographic diversity in sampling frames, c) overreliance on individual sociodemographic characteristics as proxies for broader stratification processes, and d) a focus on downstream social determinants of health and individualized experiences with social stressors. CONCLUSIONS Future social epigenetics research should prioritize larger, more diverse and representative population-based samples and employ the SDOH framework to better inform the conceptualization of research questions and interpretation of findings. In particular, the simplified depiction of race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status as individual-level characteristics should be updated with an explicit acknowledgement that these characteristics are more accurately interpreted as cues used by society to differentiate subpopulations. Social epigenetics research can then more clearly elucidate the biological consequences of these social exposures for patterns of gene expression, subsequent disease etiology, and health inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea Evans
- Center for Health Equity Research, Northern Arizona University, USA.
| | - Michal Engelman
- Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Alex Mikulas
- Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Kristen Malecki
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
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17
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Ceyhan D, Guzel KGU, Cig B. The protective role of selenium against dental amalgam-induced intracellular oxidative toxicity through the TRPV1 channel in DBTRG glioblastoma cells. J Appl Oral Sci 2021; 29:e20200414. [PMID: 33624687 PMCID: PMC7875545 DOI: 10.1590/1678-7757-2020-0414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The exposure to mercury (Hg) from dental amalgams is a suspected causative factor in neurological diseases. This study investigated the toxic effects of two different amalgam compositions related to Hg and the protective effects of selenium against the toxic effects of Hg through the TRPV1 channel in the human DBTRG glioblastoma cell line. METHODOLOGY Six groups of the cells were organized. Analyses of cell viability, apoptosis, caspase 3 and caspase 9 activities, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and Western Blotting for protein expression levels were performed. RESULTS Cell viability values were lower in amalgam with high copper (HCu) and low copper (LCu) groups independently of time but were increased by selenium and capsazepine (p<0.001 and p<0.05). Conversely, apoptosis rates, caspase 3 and caspase 9 expression, ROS formation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and protein expression levels were higher in the HCu and LCu groups but were decreased by selenium (p<0.001 and p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Selenium combined with an amalgam of either HCu or LCu decreases the toxic effects created by Hg in human DBTRG glioblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derya Ceyhan
- Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Kadriye Gorkem Ulu Guzel
- Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Bilal Cig
- Ahi Evran University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Kirsehir, Turkey
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18
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Siemer K, Husari A, Vach K, Tomakidi P, Hellwig E, Schulz SD, Polydorou O. N-Acetylcysteine modulates the effects of composites on human gingival keratinocytes. Dent Mater 2021; 37:597-611. [PMID: 33551189 DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2021.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate, if antioxidants, like N-Acetylcysteine, can modulate effects of composite eluates on human gingival keratinocytes. METHODS Composite samples of ceram.x® universal, Filtek™ Supreme XTE, and Admira® Fusion were stored 72h in cell culture medium to prepare eluates, according to ISO 10993-12:2012. Human gingival keratinocytes were exposed to these eluates with or without 3mM N-Acetylcysteine. Following cell observation by iCELLigence®, exposure periods were determined at 1d and 4d. Cell morphological analysis combined with live/dead staining was performed. Tissue-specific biomarkers of terminal differentiation, Involucrin and Filaggrin, were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and Western blot (WB). qPCR profiling was performed on genes encoding for: inflammation, apoptosis, turn-over of extracellular matrix, adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. For statistical analysis one-way Anova was used (p<0.05). RESULTS Cells exposed to N-Acetylcysteine exhibited morphological changes but no cell death. After adding 3mM N-Acetylcysteine to HGK cultures, increased fluorescence intensity and protein amounts of Involucrin and Filaggrin indicated enhanced differentiation (p<0.05). Gene expression was modulated by: (i) composition of the composite eluates, (ii) NAC and (iii) exposure time. Filtek™ Supreme XTE showed a significant increased gene expression in inflammatory genes (p<0.05), which was amplified by the addition of NAC at 1d. Concerning exposure time, modulated gene expression showed eluate dependency, substantiated by Filtek™ Supreme XTE modulation at day 1 and Admira® Fusion at day 4. SIGNIFICANCE N-Acetylcysteine-emerging effects on gingival keratinocytes were threefold: (i) increase of differentiation, (ii) modulation of composite-related effects and (iii) in parts counteraction of eluate-induced effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Siemer
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center for Dental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - A Husari
- Department of Oral Biotechnology, Center for Dental Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - K Vach
- Institute for Medical Biometry and Statistics, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Germany Stefan-Meier-Straße 26, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - P Tomakidi
- Department of Oral Biotechnology, Center for Dental Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - E Hellwig
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center for Dental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - S D Schulz
- Department of Oral Biotechnology, Center for Dental Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - O Polydorou
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center for Dental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
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19
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Snow MA, Feigis M, Lei YD, Mitchell CPJ, Wania F. Development, characterization, and testing of a personal passive sampler for measuring inhalation exposure to gaseous elemental mercury. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106264. [PMID: 33227582 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Inhalation of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) is an occupational exposure concern for workers handling elemental mercury or mercury-containing waste. GEM is also often present near historically mercury-contaminated sites, potentially resulting in low-level, chronic exposure of the wider population. Here we introduce a passive sampler for personal GEM monitoring which combines a radial porous diffusive barrier with an activated carbon sorbent. A total mercury analyzer is used to quantify GEM sorbed to the carbon by thermal decomposition, amalgamation, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. A sampling rate of 0.070 m3/day was determined by calibrating the sampler at low and high concentrations. Deployments lasting 8 h result in limits of quantification well below 200 ng/m3. The sampler has a measurement range of at least four orders of magnitude. Derived air concentrations were not statistically significantly different from those obtained by active air sampling but were more precise than those obtained using a personal pump. If properly stored, the sampler maintains low blank levels in high GEM environments. Affordability, sturdiness, simplicity, and the wide availability of total mercury analyzers make this sampler highly suited for monitoring GEM inhalation exposure, including in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A Snow
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Michelle Feigis
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Ying Duan Lei
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Carl P J Mitchell
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Frank Wania
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada.
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20
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Sıkdokur E, Belivermiş M, Sezer N, Pekmez M, Bulan ÖK, Kılıç Ö. Effects of microplastics and mercury on manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum: Feeding rate, immunomodulation, histopathology and oxidative stress. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 262:114247. [PMID: 32120258 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution, which is one of the most important environmental problems at the present time, has been understood recently, and the effects of this pollution on ecosystem and biota are becoming a growing problem, especially in the aquatic ecosystems. Direct or indirect exposure to those particles leads to adverse effects on marine organisms. In the marine environment, plastic materials interact with other pollutants such as metals, thereby affecting the uptake levels of those pollutants in marine organisms. In the present study, the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum was exposed to polyethylene microbeads and mercury chloride in single, combined and incubated form at environmentally relative concentrations for one week in controlled laboratory conditions. The uptake and tissue distribution of both stressors as well as the vector role of microplastics on mercury uptake in the organisms were investigated. Filtration rates, biomarkers for immunomodulation and oxidative stress, and histological alterations were also evaluated. Microplastics were ingested by the clams, and translocated to the various tissues. However, contaminated microplastics displayed a negligible vector role in terms of mercury bioaccumulation in the clams. The single and interactive exposure of the stressors reduced the filtration rate in the clams. Both pollutants affected the immune system of the organisms. Histological alterations were determined in the gill and digestive gland tissues of the clams among the treatment groups, although oxidative stress biomarkers remained unchanged. This study suggests that the vector role of polyethylene microplastics in mercury uptake is negligible and reveals that the single and interactive one-week exposure of two pollutants induce toxicity in the manila clams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ercan Sıkdokur
- Institute of Graduate Studies in Sciences, Istanbul University, Suleymaniye, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Murat Belivermiş
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, 34134, Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Narin Sezer
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, 34134, Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Murat Pekmez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, 34134, Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ömür Karabulut Bulan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, 34134, Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Önder Kılıç
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, 34134, Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey.
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21
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Yazdanian M, Ghanizadeh G, Rastgoo S, Shokouh SMH. Evaluation of kidney function and oxidative stress biomarkers in prolonged occupational exposure with mercury in dentists. GENE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2020.100627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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22
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Yang L, Zhang Y, Wang F, Luo Z, Guo S, Strähle U. Toxicity of mercury: Molecular evidence. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 245:125586. [PMID: 31881386 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Minamata disease in Japan and the large-scale poisoning by methylmercury (MeHg) in Iraq caused wide public concerns about the risk emanating from mercury for human health. Nowadays, it is widely known that all forms of mercury induce toxic effects in mammals, and increasing evidence supports the concern that environmentally relevant levels of MeHg could impact normal biological functions in wildlife. The information of mechanism involved in mercurial toxicity is growing but knowledge gaps still exist between the adverse effects and mechanisms of action, especially at the molecular level. A body of data obtained from experimental studies on mechanisms of mercurial toxicity in vivo and in vitro points to that disruption of the antioxidant system may play an important role in the mercurial toxic effects. Moreover, the accumulating evidence indicates that signaling transduction, protein or/and enzyme activity, and gene regulation are involving in mediating toxic and adaptive response to mercury exposure. We conducted here a comprehensive review of mercurial toxic effects on wildlife and human, in particular synthesized key findings of molecular pathways involved in mercurial toxicity from the cells to human. We discuss the molecular evidence related mercurial toxicity to the adverse effects, with particular emphasis on the gene regulation. The further studies relying on Omic analysis connected to adverse effects and modes of action of mercury will aid in the evaluation and validation of causative relationship between health outcomes and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Zidie Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Shaojuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Uwe Strähle
- Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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23
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Chernyak YI, Merinova AP. CYP3A Polymorphism and Chronic Mercury Intoxication. Bull Exp Biol Med 2020; 168:492-495. [PMID: 32146629 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-020-04738-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We analyzed the relationship between polymorphic loci of CYP3A genes (CYP3A4 (rs2740574), CYP3A5 (rs776746) and CYP3A7 (rs2257401)) with the development of chronic mercury intoxication. Of 170 men examined, 120 were workers chronically exposed to mercury vapors and 50 were carriers of GG-HSPA1B (+1267A/G) genotype associated with chronic mercury intoxication. Urinary content of 4-hydroxyantipyrine (4-HAP) generated in the reaction predominantly catalyzed by CYP3A4/CYP3A5 was studied in workers without chronic mercury intoxication (group 1, N=46) and patients in the delayed period of chronic mercury intoxication (group 2, N=74) depending on the genotypes of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. For polymorphic loci CYP3A5 and CYP3A7, a tendency to an increase in the frequency of genotypes with rare alleles was found (p=0.071 and p=0.078) in the combined group (group 2 together with GGHSPA1B genotype carriers) relative to group 1. The high level of linkage disequilibrium was noted, especially for the pair rs776746 and rs2257401 (LD (r)=0.89). In group 2, a trend to 4-HAP decrease compared to group 1 (p=0.056 and p=0.065) was revealed for carriers of AA-CYP3A4 and GG-CYP3A5 genotypes. The involvement of CYP3A in the development of mercury neurotoxic effect remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu I Chernyak
- East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research, Angarsk, Russia.
| | - A P Merinova
- East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research, Angarsk, Russia
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24
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Methylmercury Epigenetics. TOXICS 2019; 7:toxics7040056. [PMID: 31717489 PMCID: PMC6958348 DOI: 10.3390/toxics7040056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) has conventionally been investigated for effects on nervous system development. As such, epigenetic modifications have become an attractive mechanistic target, and research on MeHg and epigenetics has rapidly expanded in the past decade. Although, these inquiries are a recent advance in the field, much has been learned in regards to MeHg-induced epigenetic modifications, particularly in the brain. In vitro and in vivo controlled exposure studies illustrate that MeHg effects microRNA (miRNA) expression, histone modifications, and DNA methylation both globally and at individual genes. Moreover, some effects are transgenerationally inherited, as organisms not directly exposed to MeHg exhibited biological and behavioral alterations. miRNA expression generally appears to be downregulated consequent to exposure. Further, global histone acetylation also seems to be reduced, persist at distinct gene promoters, and is contemporaneous with enhanced histone methylation. Moreover, global DNA methylation appears to decrease in brain-derived tissues, but not in the liver; however, selected individual genes in the brain are hypermethylated. Human epidemiological studies have also identified hypo- or hypermethylated individual genes, which correlated with MeHg exposure in distinct populations. Intriguingly, several observed epigenetic modifications can be correlated with known mechanisms of MeHg toxicity. Despite this knowledge, however, the functional consequences of these modifications are not entirely evident. Additional research will be necessary to fully comprehend MeHg-induced epigenetic modifications and the impact on the toxic response.
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25
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Ferrari L, Pavanello S, Bollati V. Molecular and epigenetic markers as promising tools to quantify the effect of occupational exposures and the risk of developing non-communicable diseases. LA MEDICINA DEL LAVORO 2019; 110:168-190. [PMID: 31268425 PMCID: PMC7812541 DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v110i3.8538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic diseases that are by far the leading cause of death in the world. Many occupational hazards, together with social, economic and demographic factors, have been associated to NCDs development. Genetic susceptibility or environmental exposures alone are not usually sufficient to explain the pathogenesis of NCDs, but can be integrated in a more complex scenario that can result in pathological phenotypes. Epigenetics is a crucial component of this scenario, as its changes are related to specific exposures, therefore potentially able to display the effects of environment on the genome, filling the gap between genetic asset and environment in explaining disease development. To date, the most promising biomarkers have been assessed in occupational cohorts as well as in case/control studies and include DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNA expression, extracellular vesicles, telomere length, and mitochondrial alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Ferrari
- EPIGET - Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Toxicology Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, via San Barnaba 8, 20122 Milan, Italy..
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26
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van der Plaat DA, Vonk JM, Terzikhan N, de Jong K, de Vries M, La Bastide-van Gemert S, van Diemen CC, Lahousse L, Brusselle GG, Nedeljkovic I, Amin N, Kromhout H, Vermeulen RCH, Postma DS, van Duijn CM, Boezen HM. Occupational exposure to gases/fumes and mineral dust affect DNA methylation levels of genes regulating expression. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:2477-2485. [PMID: 31152171 PMCID: PMC6643643 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Many workers are daily exposed to occupational agents like gases/fumes, mineral dust or biological dust, which could induce adverse health effects. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, have been suggested to play a role. We therefore aimed to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) upon occupational exposures in never-smokers and investigated if these DMRs associated with gene expression levels. To determine the effects of occupational exposures independent of smoking, 903 never-smokers of the LifeLines cohort study were included. We performed three genome-wide methylation analyses (Illumina 450 K), one per occupational exposure being gases/fumes, mineral dust and biological dust, using robust linear regression adjusted for appropriate confounders. DMRs were identified using comb-p in Python. Results were validated in the Rotterdam Study (233 never-smokers) and methylation-expression associations were assessed using Biobank-based Integrative Omics Study data (n = 2802). Of the total 21 significant DMRs, 14 DMRs were associated with gases/fumes and 7 with mineral dust. Three of these DMRs were associated with both exposures (RPLP1 and LINC02169 (2×)) and 11 DMRs were located within transcript start sites of gene expression regulating genes. We replicated two DMRs with gases/fumes (VTRNA2-1 and GNAS) and one with mineral dust (CCDC144NL). In addition, nine gases/fumes DMRs and six mineral dust DMRs significantly associated with gene expression levels. Our data suggest that occupational exposures may induce differential methylation of gene expression regulating genes and thereby may induce adverse health effects. Given the millions of workers that are exposed daily to occupational exposures, further studies on this epigenetic mechanism and health outcomes are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana A van der Plaat
- Department of Epidemiology.,Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Judith M Vonk
- Department of Epidemiology.,Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Natalie Terzikhan
- Department of Epidemiology.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kim de Jong
- Department of Epidemiology.,Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike de Vries
- Department of Epidemiology.,Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Cleo C van Diemen
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lies Lahousse
- Department of Epidemiology.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Guy G Brusselle
- Department of Epidemiology.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ivana Nedeljkovic
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Hans Kromhout
- Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roel C H Vermeulen
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dirkje S Postma
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - H Marike Boezen
- Department of Epidemiology.,Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Khan F, Momtaz S, Abdollahi M. The relationship between mercury exposure and epigenetic alterations regarding human health, risk assessment and diagnostic strategies. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2019; 52:37-47. [PMID: 30732897 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to the environmental toxicants poses a serious threat to human health. The extent of exposure and the development of diseases are interrelated with each other. Chronic exposure to mercury (Hg) increases the risk of developing serious human disorders from embryo to adulthood. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this review is to highlight the most common human disorders induced by Hg exposure on the basis of epigenetic mechanisms. A growing body of evidence shows that Hg exposure leads to alterations in the epigenetic markers. METHODS We performed an organized search of the available literature using PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, Reaxys, EMBASE and Scopus databases. All the relevant citations, including research and review articles in English were evaluated. The search terms included mercury, Hg, epigenetics, epigenetic alterations, DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNAs (miRNAs), and risk assessment. RESULTS Data on human toxicity due to Hg exposure shows broad variations in terms of chemical nature, doses, and the rate of exposure. Hg consumption either via foods or environmental sources may create deleterious health effects on various physiological systems at least partially through an epigenetic mechanism. CONCLUSION Hg exposure could trigger epigenetic alterations, hence leading to various human disorders including reduced newborn cerebellum size, adverse behavioral outcomes, atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Similarly, in adults, occupational Hg exposure has been associated with an increased risk of autoimmunity. It has been revealed that miRNAs in the woman's cervix are a novel responder to maternal Hg exposure during pregnancy. Hg-induced epigenetic alterations analysis of kidney tissues showed a significant interruption in renal function. DNA methylation and histone post-translation modifications are predominant types of Hg epigenetic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazlullah Khan
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran; Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeideh Momtaz
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran; Toxicology and Diseases Group, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Abdollahi
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran; Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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28
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Epigenetic Alterations: The Relation Between Occupational Exposure and Biological Effects in Humans. RNA TECHNOLOGIES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-14792-1_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Lanata CM, Chung SA, Criswell LA. DNA methylation 101: what is important to know about DNA methylation and its role in SLE risk and disease heterogeneity. Lupus Sci Med 2018; 5:e000285. [PMID: 30094041 PMCID: PMC6069928 DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2018-000285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
SLE is a complex autoimmune disease that results from the interplay of genetics, epigenetics and environmental exposures. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression and tissue differentiation. Among all the epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation perturbations have been the most widely studied in SLE. It mediates processes relevant to SLE, including lymphocyte development, X-chromosome inactivation and the suppression of endogenous retroviruses. The establishment of most DNA methylation marks occurs in utero; however, a small percentage of epigenetic marks are dynamic and can change throughout a person’s lifetime and in relation to exposures. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the biology of DNA methylation and its regulators, the measurement and interpretation of methylation marks, the effects of genetics on DNA methylation and the role of environmental exposures with relevance to SLE. We also summarise research findings associated with SLE disease risk and heterogeneity. The robust finding of hypomethylation of interferon-responsive genes in patients with SLE and new associations beyond interferon-responsive genes such as cell-specific methylation abnormalities are described. We also discuss methylation changes associated with lupus nephritis, autoantibody status and disease activity. Lastly, we explore future research directions, emphasising the need for longitudinal studies, cell tissue and context-specific profiling, as well as integrative approaches. With new technologies, DNA methylation perturbations could be targeted and edited, offering novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina M Lanata
- Russell/Engleman Rheumatology Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sharon A Chung
- Russell/Engleman Rheumatology Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lindsey A Criswell
- Russell/Engleman Rheumatology Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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30
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Eagles-Smith CA, Silbergeld EK, Basu N, Bustamante P, Diaz-Barriga F, Hopkins WA, Kidd KA, Nyland JF. Modulators of mercury risk to wildlife and humans in the context of rapid global change. AMBIO 2018; 47:170-197. [PMID: 29388128 PMCID: PMC5794686 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-017-1011-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Environmental mercury (Hg) contamination is an urgent global health threat. The complexity of Hg in the environment can hinder accurate determination of ecological and human health risks, particularly within the context of the rapid global changes that are altering many ecological processes, socioeconomic patterns, and other factors like infectious disease incidence, which can affect Hg exposures and health outcomes. However, the success of global Hg-reduction efforts depends on accurate assessments of their effectiveness in reducing health risks. In this paper, we examine the role that key extrinsic and intrinsic drivers play on several aspects of Hg risk to humans and organisms in the environment. We do so within three key domains of ecological and human health risk. First, we examine how extrinsic global change drivers influence pathways of Hg bioaccumulation and biomagnification through food webs. Next, we describe how extrinsic socioeconomic drivers at a global scale, and intrinsic individual-level drivers, influence human Hg exposure. Finally, we address how the adverse health effects of Hg in humans and wildlife are modulated by a range of extrinsic and intrinsic drivers within the context of rapid global change. Incorporating components of these three domains into research and monitoring will facilitate a more holistic understanding of how ecological and societal drivers interact to influence Hg health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ellen K. Silbergeld
- Johns Hopkin Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, E6644, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Niladri Basu
- McGill University, 204-CINE Building, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9 Canada
| | - Paco Bustamante
- University of La Rochelle, laboratory of Littoral Environment and Societies, Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), LIENSs UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Fernando Diaz-Barriga
- Center for Applied Research in Environment and Health at, Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, Avenida Venustiano Carranza No. 2405, Col Lomas los Filtros Código Postal, 78214 San Luis Potosí, SLP Mexico
| | - William A. Hopkins
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, 310 West Campus Drive Virginia Tech, Cheatham Hall, Room 106 (MC 0321), Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA
| | - Karen A. Kidd
- Department of Biology & School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1 Canada
| | - Jennifer F. Nyland
- Department of Biological Sciences, 1101 Camden Ave, Salisbury, MD 21801 USA
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31
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Kusanagi E, Takamura H, Chen SJ, Adachi M, Hoshi N. Children's Hair Mercury Concentrations and Seafood Consumption in Five Regions of Japan. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2018; 74:259-272. [PMID: 29313075 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-017-0502-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) during the foetal and postnatal periods is known to have adverse effects on children's development. However, little attention has been paid to MeHg exposure during early childhood in Japan. To examine the regional differences in MeHg exposure and seafood consumption and the association between MeHg exposure and seafood consumption and dental metal restorations, we measured the total mercury (T-Hg) concentration in hair as an MeHg exposure index, and using questionnaires, we measured the frequency and amount of seafood consumption and the presence of dental metal restorations in 118 children aged 3-6 years in five regions of Japan. The arithmetic and geometric means of the T-Hg concentrations in hair were 1.03 and 0.87 ppm, respectively, and approximately 40% of the children exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommendation of 1.0 ppm. Significant regional differences in the hair T-Hg concentrations were found among the five regions, and the regional differences were consistent with the traditional regional patterns of eating fatty fish. According to the regression analysis, the consumption of fatty fish, particularly tuna/swordfish, had a significant effect on hair T-Hg concentrations, whereas age, sex, the materials used for dental metal restorations, and other types of seafood or fish/shellfish had no significant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiko Kusanagi
- Kokugakuin University Hokkaido Junior College, Takikawa, 073-0014, Japan.
| | | | - Shing-Jen Chen
- Koen Gakuen Women's Junior College, Sapporo, 005-0012, Japan
| | | | - Nobuko Hoshi
- Junior College of Sapporo Otani University, Sapporo, 065-8567, Japan
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32
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Martin EM, Fry RC. Environmental Influences on the Epigenome: Exposure- Associated DNA Methylation in Human Populations. Annu Rev Public Health 2018; 39:309-333. [PMID: 29328878 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040617-014629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 371] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is the most well studied of the epigenetic regulators in relation to environmental exposures. To date, numerous studies have detailed the manner by which DNA methylation is influenced by the environment, resulting in altered global and gene-specific DNA methylation. These studies have focused on prenatal, early-life, and adult exposure scenarios. The present review summarizes currently available literature that demonstrates a relationship between DNA methylation and environmental exposures. It includes studies on aflatoxin B1, air pollution, arsenic, bisphenol A, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, persistent organic pollutants, tobacco smoke, and nutritional factors. It also addresses gaps in the literature and future directions for research. These gaps include studies of mixtures, sexual dimorphisms with respect to environmentally associated methylation changes, tissue specificity, and temporal stability of the methylation marks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Martin
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, and Curriculum in Toxicology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA; ,
| | - Rebecca C Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, and Curriculum in Toxicology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA; ,
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33
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Palma-Gudiel H, Cirera F, Crispi F, Eixarch E, Fañanás L. The impact of prenatal insults on the human placental epigenome: A systematic review. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2018; 66:80-93. [PMID: 29307795 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The placenta is the first human organ to reach full development during pregnancy. It serves as a barrier but also as an interchange surface. Epigenetic changes observed in placental tissue may reflect intrauterine insults while also pointing to physiological pathways altered under exposure to such environmental threats. By means of a systematic search of the literature, 39 papers assessing human placental epigenetic signatures in association with either (i) psychosocial stress, (ii) maternal psychopathology, (iii) maternal smoking during pregnancy, and (iv) exposure to environmental pollutants, were identified. Their findings revealed placental tissue as a unique source of epigenetic variability that does not correlate with epigenetic patterns observed in maternal or newborn blood, tissues which are typically analyzed regarding prenatal stress. Studies regarding prenatal stress and psychopathology during pregnancy were scarce and exploratory in nature revealing inconsistent findings. Of note, there was a marked tendency towards placental hypomethylation in studies assessing either tobacco use during pregnancy or exposure to environmental pollutants suggesting the interaction between contaminant-derived metabolites and epigenetic machinery. This review highlights the need for further prospective longitudinal studies assessing long-term health effects of placental epigenetic signatures derived from exposure to several prenatal stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Palma-Gudiel
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Flors Cirera
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Fátima Crispi
- Fetal i+D Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Barcelona, Spain; Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisenda Eixarch
- Fetal i+D Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Barcelona, Spain; Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lourdes Fañanás
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain.
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Possible Mechanisms of Mercury Toxicity and Cancer Promotion: Involvement of Gap Junction Intercellular Communications and Inflammatory Cytokines. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2017; 2017:7028583. [PMID: 29430283 PMCID: PMC5752980 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7028583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A number of observations indicate that heavy metals are able to alter cellular metabolic pathways through induction of a prooxidative state. Nevertheless, the outcome of heavy metal-mediated effects in the development of human diseases is debated and needs further insights. Cancer is a well-established DNA mutation-linked disease; however, epigenetic events are perhaps more important and harmful than genetic alterations. Unfortunately, we do not have reliable screening methods to assess/validate the epigenetic (promoter) effects of a physical or a chemical agent. We propose a mechanism of action whereby mercury acts as a possible promoter carcinogen. In the present contribution, we resume our previous studies on mercury tested at concentrations comparable with its occurrence as environmental pollutant. It is shown that Hg(II) elicits a prooxidative state in keratinocytes linked to inhibition of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication and proinflammatory cytokine production. These combined effects may on one hand isolate cells from tissue-specific homeostasis promoting their proliferation and on the other hand tamper the immune system defense/surveillance checkmating the whole organism. Since Hg(II) is not a mutagenic/genotoxic compound directly affecting gene expression, in a broader sense, mercury might be an example of an epigenetic tumor promoter or, further expanding this concept, a “metagenetic” effector.
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Abstract
Human genetic variation is a major resource in forensics, but does not allow all forensically relevant questions to be answered. Some questions may instead be addressable via epigenomics, as the epigenome acts as an interphase between the fixed genome and the dynamic environment. We envision future forensic applications of DNA methylation analysis that will broaden DNA-based forensic intelligence. Together with genetic prediction of appearance and biogeographic ancestry, epigenomic lifestyle prediction is expected to increase the ability of police to find unknown perpetrators of crime who are not identifiable using current forensic DNA profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athina Vidaki
- Department of Genetic Identification, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Room Ee1051, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Manfred Kayser
- Department of Genetic Identification, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Room Ee1051, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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36
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Bjørklund G, Dadar M, Mutter J, Aaseth J. The toxicology of mercury: Current research and emerging trends. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 159:545-554. [PMID: 28889024 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a persistent bio-accumulative toxic metal with unique physicochemical properties of public health concern since their natural and anthropogenic diffusions still induce high risk to human and environmental health. The goal of this review was to analyze scientific literature evaluating the role of global concerns over Hg exposure due to human exposure to ingestion of contaminated seafood (methyl-Hg) as well as elemental Hg levels of dental amalgam fillings (metallic Hg), vaccines (ethyl-Hg) and contaminated water and air (Hg chloride). Mercury has been recognized as a neurotoxicant as well as immunotoxic and designated by the World Health Organization as one of the ten most dangerous chemicals to public health. It has been shown that the half-life of inorganic Hg in human brains is several years to several decades. Mercury occurs in the environment under different chemical forms as elemental Hg (metallic), inorganic and organic Hg. Despite the raising understanding of the Hg toxicokinetics, there is still fully justified to further explore the emerging theories about its bioavailability and adverse effects in humans. In this review, we describe current research and emerging trends in Hg toxicity with the purpose of providing up-to-date information for a better understanding of the kinetics of this metal, presenting comprehensive knowledge on published data analyzing its metabolism, interaction with other metals, distribution, internal doses and targets, and reservoir organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Toften 24, 8610 Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | - Maryam Dadar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | | | - Jan Aaseth
- Innlandet Hospital Trust and Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway
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Narváez DM, Groot H, Diaz SM, Palma RM, Muñoz N, Cros MP, Hernández-Vargas H. Oxidative stress and repetitive element methylation changes in artisanal gold miners occupationally exposed to mercury. Heliyon 2017; 3:e00400. [PMID: 28948237 PMCID: PMC5602780 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) exposure is a public health concern due to its persistence in the environment and its high toxicity. Such toxicity has been associated with the generation of oxidative stress in occupationally exposed subjects, such as artisanal gold miners. In this study, we characterize occupational exposure to Hg by measuring blood, urine and hair levels, and investigate oxidative stress and DNA methylation associated with gold mining. To do this, samples from 53 miners and 36 controls were assessed. We show higher levels of oxidative stress marker 8-OHdG in the miners. Differences in LINE1 and Alu(Yb8) DNA methylation between gold miners and control group are present in peripheral blood leukocytes. LINE1 methylation is positively correlated with 8-OHdG levels, while XRCC1 and LINE1 methylation are positively correlated with Hg levels. These results suggest an effect of Hg on oxidative stress and DNA methylation in gold miners that may have an impact on miners' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M. Narváez
- Human Genetics Laboratory. Universidad de los Andes. Bogotá, Colombia
- Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS). Bogotá, Colombia
- Epigenetics Group. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Lyon, France
| | - Helena Groot
- Human Genetics Laboratory. Universidad de los Andes. Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | | | | | - Marie-Pierre Cros
- Epigenetics Group. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Lyon, France
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38
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Cardenas A, Rifas-Shiman SL, Godderis L, Duca RC, Navas-Acien A, Litonjua AA, DeMeo DL, Brennan KJ, Amarasiriwardena CJ, Hivert MF, Gillman MW, Oken E, Baccarelli AA. Prenatal Exposure to Mercury: Associations with Global DNA Methylation and Hydroxymethylation in Cord Blood and in Childhood. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2017; 125:087022. [PMID: 28934725 PMCID: PMC5783674 DOI: 10.1289/ehp1467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mercury is a global pollutant, and prenatal exposure is associated with adverse health effects. To date, no studies have evaluated the association between prenatal mercury exposure and DNA hydroxymethylation, an epigenetic modification important for tissue differentiation and embryonic development. OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate the association between prenatal mercury exposure and offspring global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation at birth and test for persistence of the association in childhood. METHODS Within Project Viva, a U.S. prebirth cohort, we examined associations of maternal second trimester red blood cell mercury (RBC-Hg) concentrations with global 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (%-5hmC) and 5-methylcytosine (%-5mC) DNA content in blood collected at birth (n=306), early childhood (n=68; 2.9 to 4.9 y), and midchildhood (n=260; 6.7 to 10.5 y). RESULTS Median prenatal RBC-Hg concentration was 3.23μg/g [interquartile range (IQR)=3.29]. At birth, median cord blood %-5mC, %-5hmC, and their ratio were 4.95%, 0.22%, and 24.37, respectively. The mean adjusted difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] of blood %-5hmC for a doubling in prenatal RBC-Hg concentration was -0.013% (-0.029, 0.002), -0.031% (-0.056, -0.006), and 0.005% (-0.007, 0.018) at birth, early, and midchildhood, respectively. The corresponding relative adjusted change in the genomic ratio of %-5mC to %-5hmC for a doubling in prenatal RBC-Hg concentration was 4.70% (0.04, 9.58), 22.42% (7.73, 39.11), and 0.73% (-4.18, 5.88) at birth, early, and midchildhood, respectively. No associations were present between prenatal maternal RBC-Hg and %-5mC at any time point. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal mercury exposure was associated with lower %-5hmC genomic content and a corresponding increase in the ratio of %-5mC to %-5hmC in cord blood. This association was persistent in early but not midchildhood blood. Our results demonstrate the potential malleability of epigenetic modifications associated with mercury exposure in utero. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1467.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Cardenas
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute , Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute , Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
- IDEWE , External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Radu-Corneliu Duca
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University , New York, New York, USA
| | - Augusto A Litonjua
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dawn L DeMeo
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kasey J Brennan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University , New York, New York, USA
| | - Chitra J Amarasiriwardena
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York, New York, USA
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute , Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew W Gillman
- Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health , Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute , Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University , New York, New York, USA
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The Putative Role of Environmental Mercury in the Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Subtypes. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:4834-4856. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0692-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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40
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Carvan MJ, Kalluvila TA, Klingler RH, Larson JK, Pickens M, Mora-Zamorano FX, Connaughton VP, Sadler-Riggleman I, Beck D, Skinner MK. Mercury-induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of abnormal neurobehavior is correlated with sperm epimutations in zebrafish. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176155. [PMID: 28464002 PMCID: PMC5413066 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a ubiquitous environmental neurotoxicant, with human exposures predominantly resulting from fish consumption. Developmental exposure of zebrafish to MeHg is known to alter their neurobehavior. The current study investigated the direct exposure and transgenerational effects of MeHg, at tissue doses similar to those detected in exposed human populations, on sperm epimutations (i.e., differential DNA methylation regions [DMRs]) and neurobehavior (i.e., visual startle and spontaneous locomotion) in zebrafish, an established human health model. F0 generation embryos were exposed to MeHg (0, 1, 3, 10, 30, and 100 nM) for 24 hours ex vivo. F0 generation control and MeHg-exposed lineages were reared to adults and bred to yield the F1 generation, which was subsequently bred to the F2 generation. Direct exposure (F0 generation) and transgenerational actions (F2 generation) were then evaluated. Hyperactivity and visual deficit were observed in the unexposed descendants (F2 generation) of the MeHg-exposed lineage compared to control. An increase in F2 generation sperm epimutations was observed relative to the F0 generation. Investigation of the DMRs in the F2 generation MeHg-exposed lineage sperm revealed associated genes in the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and actin-cytoskeleton pathways being effected, which correlate to the observed neurobehavioral phenotypes. Developmental MeHg-induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of abnormal neurobehavior is correlated with sperm epimutations in F2 generation adult zebrafish. Therefore, mercury can promote the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease in zebrafish, which significantly impacts its environmental health considerations in all species including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Carvan
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Thomas A. Kalluvila
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Rebekah H. Klingler
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Jeremy K. Larson
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Matthew Pickens
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Francisco X. Mora-Zamorano
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | | | - Ingrid Sadler-Riggleman
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States of America
| | - Daniel Beck
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States of America
| | - Michael K. Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States of America
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Branco V, Caito S, Farina M, Teixeira da Rocha J, Aschner M, Carvalho C. Biomarkers of mercury toxicity: Past, present, and future trends. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2017; 20:119-154. [PMID: 28379072 PMCID: PMC6317349 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2017.1289834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) toxicity continues to represent a global health concern. Given that human populations are mostly exposed to low chronic levels of mercurial compounds (methylmercury through fish, mercury vapor from dental amalgams, and ethylmercury from vaccines), the need for more sensitive and refined tools to assess the effects and/or susceptibility to adverse metal-mediated health risks remains. Traditional biomarkers, such as hair or blood Hg levels, are practical and provide a reliable measure of exposure, but given intra-population variability, it is difficult to establish accurate cause-effect relationships. It is therefore important to identify and validate biomarkers that are predictive of early adverse effects prior to adverse health outcomes becoming irreversible. This review describes the predominant biomarkers used by toxicologists and epidemiologists to evaluate exposure, effect and susceptibility to Hg compounds, weighing on their advantages and disadvantages. Most importantly, and in light of recent findings on the molecular mechanisms underlying Hg-mediated toxicity, potential novel biomarkers that might be predictive of toxic effect are presented, and the applicability of these parameters in risk assessment is examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasco Branco
- a Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia , Universidade de Lisboa , Lisboa , Portugal
| | - Sam Caito
- b Department of Molecular Pharmacology , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , New York , USA
| | - Marcelo Farina
- c Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina , Florianópolis , Brazil
| | - João Teixeira da Rocha
- d Departamento Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular , Universidade Federal de Santa Maria , Santa Maria , RS , Brazil
| | - Michael Aschner
- b Department of Molecular Pharmacology , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , New York , USA
| | - Cristina Carvalho
- a Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia , Universidade de Lisboa , Lisboa , Portugal
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Persistent DNA methylation changes associated with prenatal mercury exposure and cognitive performance during childhood. Sci Rep 2017; 7:288. [PMID: 28325913 PMCID: PMC5428306 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00384-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to mercury, a known neurotoxic metal, is associated with lower cognitive performance during childhood. Disruption of fetal epigenetic programming could explain mercury’s neurodevelopmental effects. We screened for epigenome-wide methylation differences associated with maternal prenatal blood mercury levels in 321 cord blood DNA samples and examined the persistence of these alterations during early (n = 75; 2.9–4.9 years) and mid-childhood (n = 291; 6.7–10.5 years). Among males, prenatal mercury levels were associated with lower regional cord blood DNA methylation at the Paraoxonase 1 gene (PON1) that persisted in early childhood and was attenuated in mid-childhood blood. Cord blood methylation at the PON1 locus predicted lower cognitive test scores measured during early childhood. Methylation at the PON1 locus was associated with PON1 expression in an independent set of cord blood samples. The observed persistent epigenetic disruption of the PON1 gene may modulate mercury toxicity in humans and might serve as a biomarker of exposure and disease susceptibility.
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43
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Devóz PP, Gomes WR, De Araújo ML, Ribeiro DL, Pedron T, Greggi Antunes LM, Batista BL, Barbosa F, Barcelos GRM. Lead (Pb) exposure induces disturbances in epigenetic status in workers exposed to this metal. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2017; 80:1098-1105. [PMID: 28862539 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2017.1357364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies showed that lead (Pb) exposure may modulate gene expression by changes in the epigenetic status. However, little is known about the impact of Pb exposure and alterations on DNA methylation patterns in humans exposed to this metal. The aim of this study was to assess the consequences of exposure to Pb on DNA global methylation, in order to gain a better understanding of the interactions between Pb exposure and epigenetic effects. The study included 100 male workers employed in automotive battery factories from Paraná State, Brazil. Concentrations of Pb in blood (B-Pb) and plasma (P-Pb) were determined by ICP-MS, the percentage (%) of global DNA methylation was determined by quantification of 5-methylcytosine using indirect ELISA, and sociodemographic data collected by questionnaire by trained interviewers. The mean age was 37 ± 10 (18-67 years); 18% of participants were smokers, while 32% reported consumption of alcoholic beverages. The B-Pb and P-Pb levels were 20 ± 11 and 0.56 ± 0.64 µg/dl, respectively; % global DNA methylation was 2.8 ± 1.1% (ranging from 1.1 to 6.5%). B-Pb and P-Pb concentrations were significantly correlated. Furthermore, a marked association was noted between Pb biomarkers and DNA global methylation. Taken together, our data demonstrated that Pb exposure induced alterations on DNA global methylation in workers who were exposed to the metal and consequently may result in disturbances in the regulation of gene expression, leading to potentially several health adverse effect outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Pícoli Devóz
- a Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Willian Robert Gomes
- a Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Marília Ladeira De Araújo
- b Department of Biosciences , Institute of Health and Society, Federal University of São Paulo , Santos , Brazil
| | - Diego Luis Ribeiro
- c Departament of Genetics, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Tatiana Pedron
- d Center of Natural and Human Sciences , Federal University of ABC , Santo André , Brazil
| | - Lusânia Maria Greggi Antunes
- a Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Bruno Lemos Batista
- d Center of Natural and Human Sciences , Federal University of ABC , Santo André , Brazil
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- a Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
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Ha E, Basu N, Bose-O'Reilly S, Dórea JG, McSorley E, Sakamoto M, Chan HM. Current progress on understanding the impact of mercury on human health. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 152:419-433. [PMID: 27444821 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.06.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Mercury pollution and its impacts on human health is of global concern. The authors of this paper were members of the Plenary Panel on Human Health in the 12th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant held in Korea in June 2015. The Panel was asked by the conference organizers to address two questions: what is the current understanding of the impacts of mercury exposure on human health and what information is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention in lowering exposure and preventing adverse effects. The authors conducted a critical review of the literature published since January 2012 and discussed the current state-of-knowledge in the following areas: environmental exposure and/or risk assessment; kinetics and biomonitoring; effects on children development; effects on adult general populations; effects on artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM); effects on dental workers; risk of ethylmercury in thimerosal-containing vaccines; interactions with nutrients; genetic determinants and; risk communication and management. Knowledge gaps in each area were identified and recommendations for future research were made. The Panel concluded that more knowledge synthesis efforts are needed to translate the research results into management tools for health professionals and policy makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunhee Ha
- Ewha Womans University, College of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, South Korea
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Canada
| | - Stephan Bose-O'Reilly
- University Hospital Munich, Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health, Germany; University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology (UMIT), Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, Austria
| | - José G Dórea
- Department of Nutrition, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Emeir McSorley
- Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, Ulster University, United Kingdom
| | - Mineshi Sakamoto
- Department of Epidemiology, National Institute for Minamata Disease, Japan
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Canada.
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Rudgalvyte M, Peltonen J, Lakso M, Wong G. Chronic MeHg exposure modifies the histone H3K4me3 epigenetic landscape in Caenorhabditis elegans. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2017; 191:109-116. [PMID: 27717699 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a persistent environmental pollutant that occurs in the food chain, at occupational sites, and via medical procedures. Exposure in humans and animal models results in renal, neuro, and reproductive toxicities. In this study, we demonstrate that chronic exposure to MeHg (10μM) causes epigenetic landscape modifications of histone H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) marks in Caenorhabditis elegans using chromatin immuno-precipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq). The modifications correspond to the locations of 1467 genes with enhanced and 508 genes with reduced signals. Among enhanced genes are those encoding glutathione-S-transferases, lipocalin-related protein and a cuticular collagen. ChIP-seq enhancement of these genes was confirmed with increased mRNA expression levels revealed by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, we observed enhancement of H3K4me3 marks in these genes in animals exposed to MeHg in utero and assayed at L4 stage. In utero exposure enhanced marks without alterations in mRNA expression except for the lpr-5 gene. Finally, knockdown of lipocalin-related protein gene lpr-5, which is involved in intercellular signaling, and cuticular collagen gene dpy-7, structural component of the cuticle, by RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in increased lethality of animals after MeHg exposure. Our results provide new data on the epigenetic landscape changes elicited by MeHg exposure, as well as describe a unique model for studying in utero effects of heavy metals. Together, these findings may help to understand the toxicological effects of MeHg at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Rudgalvyte
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, S.A.R., China
| | - Juhani Peltonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Merja Lakso
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Department of Neurobiology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Garry Wong
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, S.A.R., China.
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46
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The Impact of External Factors on the Epigenome: In Utero and over Lifetime. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:2568635. [PMID: 27294112 PMCID: PMC4887632 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2568635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic marks change during fetal development, adult life, and aging. Some changes play an important role in the establishment and regulation of gene programs, but others seem to occur without any apparent physiological role. An important future challenge in the field of epigenetics will be to describe how the environment affects both of these types of epigenetic change and to learn if interaction between them can determine healthy and disease phenotypes during lifetime. Here we discuss how chemical and physical environmental stressors, diet, life habits, and pharmacological treatments can affect the epigenome during lifetime and the possible impact of these epigenetic changes on pathophysiological processes.
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47
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Shinde V, Hoelting L, Srinivasan SP, Meisig J, Meganathan K, Jagtap S, Grinberg M, Liebing J, Bluethgen N, Rahnenführer J, Rempel E, Stoeber R, Schildknecht S, Förster S, Godoy P, van Thriel C, Gaspar JA, Hescheler J, Waldmann T, Hengstler JG, Leist M, Sachinidis A. Definition of transcriptome-based indices for quantitative characterization of chemically disturbed stem cell development: introduction of the STOP-Tox ukn and STOP-Tox ukk tests. Arch Toxicol 2016; 91:839-864. [PMID: 27188386 PMCID: PMC5306084 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1741-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell-based in vitro test systems can recapitulate specific phases of human development. In the UKK test system, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) randomly differentiate into cells of the three germ layers and their derivatives. In the UKN1 test system, hPSCs differentiate into early neural precursor cells. During the normal differentiation period (14 days) of the UKK system, 570 genes [849 probe sets (PSs)] were regulated >fivefold; in the UKN1 system (6 days), 879 genes (1238 PSs) were regulated. We refer to these genes as 'developmental genes'. In the present study, we used genome-wide expression data of 12 test substances in the UKK and UKN1 test systems to understand the basic principles of how chemicals interfere with the spontaneous transcriptional development in both test systems. The set of test compounds included six histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis), six mercury-containing compounds ('mercurials') and thalidomide. All compounds were tested at the maximum non-cytotoxic concentration, while valproic acid and thalidomide were additionally tested over a wide range of concentrations. In total, 242 genes (252 PSs) in the UKK test system and 793 genes (1092 PSs) in the UKN1 test system were deregulated by the 12 test compounds. We identified sets of 'diagnostic genes' appropriate for the identification of the influence of HDACis or mercurials. Test compounds that interfered with the expression of developmental genes usually antagonized their spontaneous development, meaning that up-regulated developmental genes were suppressed and developmental genes whose expression normally decreases were induced. The fraction of compromised developmental genes varied widely between the test compounds, and it reached up to 60 %. To quantitatively describe disturbed development on a genome-wide basis, we recommend a concept of two indices, 'developmental potency' (D p) and 'developmental index' (D i), whereby D p is the fraction of all developmental genes that are up- or down-regulated by a test compound, and D i is the ratio of overrepresentation of developmental genes among all genes deregulated by a test compound. The use of D i makes hazard identification more sensitive because some compounds compromise the expression of only a relatively small number of genes but have a high propensity to deregulate developmental genes specifically, resulting in a low D p but a high D i. In conclusion, the concept based on the indices D p and D i offers the possibility to quantitatively express the propensity of test compounds to interfere with normal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Shinde
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lisa Hoelting
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Box: M657, 78457, Constance, Germany.,Konstanz Graduate School Chemical Biology KORS-CB, University of Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Sureshkumar Perumal Srinivasan
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Johannes Meisig
- Institute of Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, 10117, Berlin, Germany.,Integrative Research Institute for the Life Sciences, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt Universität, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kesavan Meganathan
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Smita Jagtap
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Julia Liebing
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical, University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Nils Bluethgen
- Institute of Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, 10117, Berlin, Germany.,Integrative Research Institute for the Life Sciences, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt Universität, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Eugen Rempel
- Department of Statistics, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany.,Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Regina Stoeber
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical, University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stefan Schildknecht
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Box: M657, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Sunniva Förster
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Box: M657, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Patricio Godoy
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical, University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christoph van Thriel
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical, University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - John Antonydas Gaspar
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hescheler
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tanja Waldmann
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Box: M657, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical, University of Dortmund (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Marcel Leist
- Doerenkamp-Zbinden Chair for In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, University of Konstanz, Box: M657, 78457, Constance, Germany.
| | - Agapios Sachinidis
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne (UKK), Robert-Koch-Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
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48
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Kim KH, Kabir E, Jahan SA. A review on the distribution of Hg in the environment and its human health impacts. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2016; 306:376-385. [PMID: 26826963 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 11/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to mercury is a silent threat to the environment and human life. It has the potential to harm almost every organ and body system. Mercury compounds are classified in different chemical types such as elemental, inorganic, and organic forms. The most significant source of ingestion-related mercury exposure in humans and animals is the consumption of fish. Long-term exposure to mercury compounds from different sources (e.g., water, food, soil, and air) can lead to toxic effects on skin, cardiovascular, pulmonary, urinary, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems. Mercury toxicity is found to pose more significant health hazards to certain occupational groups (e.g., goldminers and dental personnel). Because continuous exposure to mercury can be dangerous, it is desirable to re-evaluate the current reference (risk-free) values. This paper reviews the route of Hg exposure to humans, its human health impacts, the associated risk assessment, and treatment based on the recent findings from various studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Hyun Kim
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ehsanul Kabir
- Dept. of Farm, Power & Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
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Wells EM, Herbstman JB, Lin YH, Jarrett J, Verdon CP, Ward C, Caldwell KL, Hibbeln JR, Witter FR, Halden RU, Goldman LR. Cord Blood Methylmercury and Fetal Growth Outcomes in Baltimore Newborns: Potential Confounding and Effect Modification by Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Selenium, and Sex. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2016; 124:373-9. [PMID: 26115160 PMCID: PMC4786979 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1408596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methylmercury (MeHg) may affect fetal growth; however, prior research often lacked assessment of mercury speciation, confounders, and interactions. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to assess the relationship between MeHg and fetal growth as well as the potential for confounding or interaction of this relationship from speciated mercury, fatty acids, selenium, and sex. METHODS This cross-sectional study includes 271 singletons born in Baltimore, Maryland, 2004-2005. Umbilical cord blood was analyzed for speciated mercury, serum omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFAs), and selenium. Multivariable linear regression models controlled for gestational age, birth weight, maternal age, parity, prepregnancy body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, selenium, n-3 HUFAs, and inorganic mercury (IHg). RESULTS Geometric mean cord blood MeHg was 0.94 μg/L (95% CI: 0.84, 1.07). In adjusted models for ponderal index, βln(MeHg) = -0.045 (g/cm(3)) × 100 (95% CI: -0.084, -0.005). There was no evidence of a MeHg × sex interaction with ponderal index. Contrastingly, there was evidence of a MeHg × n-3 HUFAs interaction with birth length [among low n-3 HUFAs, βln(MeHg) = 0.40 cm, 95% CI: -0.02, 0.81; among high n-3 HUFAs, βln(MeHg) = -0.15, 95% CI: -0.54, 0.25; p-interaction = 0.048] and head circumference [among low n-3 HUFAs, βln(MeHg) = 0.01 cm, 95% CI: -0.27, 0.29; among high n-3 HUFAs, βln(MeHg) = -0.37, 95% CI: -0.63, -0.10; p-interaction = 0.042]. The association of MeHg with birth weight and ponderal index was affected by n-3 HUFAs, selenium, and IHg. For birth weight, βln(MeHg) without these variables was -16.8 g (95% CI: -75.0, 41.3) versus -29.7 (95% CI: -93.9, 34.6) with all covariates. Corresponding values for ponderal index were -0.030 (g/cm(3)) × 100 (95% CI: -0.065, 0.005) and -0.045 (95% CI: -0.084, -0005). CONCLUSION We observed an association of increased MeHg with decreased ponderal index. There is evidence for interaction between MeHg and n-3 HUFAs; infants with higher MeHg and n-3 HUFAs had lower birth length and head circumference. These results should be verified with additional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M. Wells
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Address correspondence to E.M. Wells, Purdue University, School of Health Sciences; Hampton Hall of Civil Engineering 1269; 550 Stadium Mall Dr.; West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA. Telephone: (765) 496-3535. E-mail:
| | - Julie B. Herbstman
- Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yu Hong Lin
- Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffery Jarrett
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Carl P. Verdon
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Cynthia Ward
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kathleen L. Caldwell
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Joseph R. Hibbeln
- Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Frank R. Witter
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rolf U. Halden
- Center for Environmental Security, Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Lynn R. Goldman
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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Abstract
To advance our knowledge of the influence of environmental exposures on human health and disease, robust studies are needed. However, for many exposures, robust studies are not feasible due to limitations with current ascertainment methods and/or study designs. Epigenetics, the study of mitotically heritable, reversible information that regulates critical cell processes, has gained much attention because it offers a potential mechanism to explain how exposures can influence cell states. Therefore, most studies have focused on epigenetics as a mechanism for disease. However, emerging evidence also suggests that epigenetic marks may also serve as biomarkers of exposure. Here, we highlight findings showing that the epigenome is labile to the environment and that these exposure-associated changes show long-term stability, are specific, are detectable in accessible tissues, can predict exposure status, and can be practically implemented, thus supporting the potential for epigenetic patterns to serve as robust measures of environmental exposure.
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