1
|
Lozano M, McEachan RRC, Wright J, Yang TC, Dow C, Kadawathagedara M, Lepeule J, Bustamante M, Maitre L, Vrijheid M, Brantsæter AL, Meltzer HM, Bempi V, Roumeliotaki T, Thomsen C, Nawrot T, Broberg K, Llop S. Early life exposure to mercury and relationships with telomere length and mitochondrial DNA content in European children. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 932:173014. [PMID: 38729362 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173014] [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: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial function expressed as mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) are biomarkers of aging and oxidative stress and inflammation, respectively. Methylmercury (MeHg), a common pollutant in fish, induces oxidative stress. We hypothesized that elevated oxidative stress from exposure to MeHg decreases mtDNAcn and shortens TL. METHODS Study participants are 6-11-year-old children from the HELIX multi-center birth cohort study, comprising six European countries. Prenatal and postnatal total mercury (THg) concentrations were measured in blood samples, TL and mtDNAcn were determined in child DNA. Covariates and confounders were obtained by questionnaires. Robust regression models were run, considering sociodemographic and lifestyle covariates, as well as fish consumption. Sex, ethnicity, and fish consumption interaction models were also run. RESULTS We found longer TL with higher pre- and postnatal THg blood concentrations, even at low-level THg exposure according to the RfD proposed by the US EPA. The prenatal association showed a significant linear relationship with a 3.46 % increase in TL for each unit increased THg. The postnatal association followed an inverted U-shaped marginal non-linear relationship with 1.38 % an increase in TL for each unit increased THg until reaching a cut-point at 0.96 μg/L blood THg, from which TL attrition was observed. Higher pre- and postnatal blood THg concentrations were consistently related to longer TL among cohorts and no modification effect of fish consumption nor children's sex was observed. No association between THg exposure and mtDNAcn was found. DISCUSSION We found evidence that THg is associated with TL but the associations seem to be time- and concentration-dependent. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism behind the telomere changes of THg and related health effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Lozano
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Rosemary R C McEachan
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, United Kingdom
| | - John Wright
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, United Kingdom
| | - Tiffany C Yang
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, United Kingdom
| | - Courtney Dow
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, INRAE, CRESS, Paris, France
| | - Manik Kadawathagedara
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, INRAE, CRESS, Paris, France
| | - Johanna Lepeule
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CNRS, Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Grenoble, France
| | - Mariona Bustamante
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF); Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lea Maitre
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF); Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF); Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Anne Lise Brantsæter
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health and Centre for Sustainable Diets, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helle Margrete Meltzer
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health and Centre for Sustainable Diets, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vasiliki Bempi
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Theano Roumeliotaki
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Department of Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Oslo, Norway
| | - Tim Nawrot
- Research Unit Environment and Health, KU Leuven Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karin Broberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhao H, Peng J. The Association Between Blood Mercury and Lipid Biomarkers in US Hypertensive Adults. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04103-w. [PMID: 38368312 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04103-w] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is detrimental to human health, but its impact on lipid biomarkers remains a subject of controversy. This study sought to delineate a clear link between blood Hg and lipid biomarkers correlated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG), in hypertensive adults in the USA. METHODS This cross-sectional research gathered data from a total of 4415 participants sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The Holm-Bonferroni stepdown procedure was utilized to control the type I error rate in multiple comparisons. We employed multivariable linear regression models to assess the correlation between blood Hg and lipid biomarkers. Subsequently, subgroup analyses were conducted, categorized by both gender and race. Additionally, we used smooth curve fittings and generalized additive models to confirm the presence of non-linear relationships. When non-linearity was detected, we applied a recursive algorithm to calculate the inflection points. Finally, we established a weighted two-piecewise linear regression model to illustrate the associations on either side of the inflection point. RESULTS In our multivariable linear regression models, clear associations emerged. Specifically, positive correlations were observed between blood mercury and TC (β = 0.025; 95% CI 0.009 to 0.041; corrected P = 0.011), LDL-C (β = 0.022; 95% CI 0.007 to 0.036; corrected P = 0.012), and HDL-C (β = 0.007; 95% CI 0.001 to 0.013; corrected P = 0.058). However, there was no significant correlation with TG (β = - 0.007; 95% CI - 0.018 to 0.004; corrected P = 0.526). Notably, it has been demonstrated that distinct inverted U-shaped and U-shaped curves exist when stratified by gender in our analysis. CONCLUSIONS Blood Hg exhibited a positive correlation with TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C in hypertensive adults in the USA. Nonetheless, no significant association was observed with TG.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Anqing First People's Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anqing, 246003, China
- The Fifth Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jiecheng Peng
- Department of Cardiology, Anqing First People's Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anqing, 246003, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Guo Y, Lv Y, Liu X, Wang G. Association between heavy metal mercury in body fluids and tissues and diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2023; 11:114. [PMID: 36819500 PMCID: PMC9929836 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-6404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Background Recent studies have shown that the relationship between mercury exposure and diabetes is controversial. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between mercury exposure and diabetes using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase databases for cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies assessing the correlation between mercury exposure and diabetes in any population. Details of each included study were extracted using a pre-designed Excel spreadsheet. Quality assessment of cohort and case-control studies used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), whereas cross-sectional studies were assessed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) scale. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models to calculate the pooled odds ratio (OR), standardized mean difference (SMD), and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were employed to assess heterogeneity sources. Begg's and Egger's tests were used to evaluate publication bias. Results Our meta-analysis included 8 eligible articles, comprising a total of 40,891 subjects, reporting mercury OR and/or concentrations. Among the included studies, one was a case control, one was a cohort study, and the rest were cross-sectional studies. Two studies were rated as high quality and six as medium quality. The results revealed no link between mercury exposure and diabetes (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.80, 1.55, n=6, I2=73.7%; and SMD: 0.41, 95% CI: -0.32, 1.14, n=3, I2=88.7%). In the stratified male and female subgroups, the pooled OR was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.57, 0.90, n=3, I2=0.0%), 1.11 (95% CI: 0.69, 1.79, n=3, I2=67.7%). The Begg's test results revealed no significant publication bias (P=0.06), but the Egger's test results did (P=0.013). The sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of our results. Conclusions No significant relationship was observed between mercury and diabetes mellitus. However, more well-designed studies on mercury exposure and diabetes risk are still needed, particularly on the type of mercury (i.e., elemental, inorganic, and organic), exposure time and dose, type of biological specimen, and the population's sex and age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunran Guo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - You Lv
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xinming Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guixia Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
de Vasconcellos ACS, Ferreira SRB, de Sousa CC, de Oliveira MW, de Oliveira Lima M, Basta PC. Health Risk Assessment Attributed to Consumption of Fish Contaminated with Mercury in the Rio Branco Basin, Roraima, Amazon, Brazil. TOXICS 2022; 10:516. [PMID: 36136481 PMCID: PMC9504189 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10090516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the health risk attributable to the consumption of mercury-contaminated fish for the urban and non-urban populations living in the Roraima state, Amazon, Brazil. Seventy-five fish specimens distributed across twenty different species, comprising four trophic levels (i.e., herbivore, omnivore, detritivore, and carnivore), were collected at four locations in the Branco River Basin. The fish samples were sent to the Toxicology Laboratory at Evandro Chagas Institute to determine the total-Hg levels by using the cold vapor atomic system (CVAAS). The total-Hg levels ranged from 0 to 3.159 µg/g. The average concentration in non-carnivorous species (n = 32) was 0.116 µg/g, and among carnivorous fish (n = 43), it was 0.869 µg/g. The weighted average of contamination levels for all samples was 0.545 µg/g. The health risk assessment was conducted according to the methodology proposed by the World Health Organization and different scenarios of human exposure were considered, based on three levels of fish consumption (low: 50 g/day; moderate: 100 g/day and high: 200 g/day). Women of childbearing age ingest 5 to 21 times more mercury than the dose considered safe by the U.S. EPA and intake a dose from 2 to 9 times higher than the safe dose proposed by FAO/WHO. Children under 5 years of age ingest from 18 to 75 times the dose proposed by the U.S. EPA and from 8 to 32 more mercury than the limit proposed by FAO/WHO. In summary, regardless of the level of fish consumption, type of residency (urban or non-urban), and the subset of the population analyzed, anyone who consumes fish from the locations sampled is at high risk attributable to mercury ingestion, with the only exception of adult men, who consume an average of 50 g of fish per day.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Claudia Santiago de Vasconcellos
- Laboratory of Professional Education on Health Surveillance, Joaquim Venâncio Polytechnic School of Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sylvio Romério Briglia Ferreira
- Postgraduate Program in Natural Resources (Pronat), Federal University of Roraima, Campus Paricarana, Boa Vista 69310-000, RR, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcelo de Oliveira Lima
- Environmental Section, Evandro Chagas Institute, Secretariat of Science, Technology and Strategic Products, Ministry of Health of Brazil, Belém 70723-040, PA, Brazil
| | - Paulo Cesar Basta
- Department of Endemic Diseases Samuel Pessoa, National School of Public Health Sergio Arouca, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21041-210, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|