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Drago G, Aloi N, Ruggieri S, Longo A, Contrino ML, Contarino FM, Cibella F, Colombo P, Longo V. Guardians under Siege: Exploring Pollution's Effects on Human Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7788. [PMID: 39063030 PMCID: PMC11277414 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147788] [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] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemical pollution poses a significant threat to human health, with detrimental effects on various physiological systems, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, mental, and perinatal domains. While the impact of pollution on these systems has been extensively studied, the intricate relationship between chemical pollution and immunity remains a critical area of investigation. The focus of this study is to elucidate the relationship between chemical pollution and human immunity. To accomplish this task, this study presents a comprehensive review that encompasses in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies, shedding light on the ways in which chemical pollution can modulate human immunity. Our aim is to unveil the complex mechanisms by which environmental contaminants compromise the delicate balance of the body's defense systems going beyond the well-established associations with defense systems and delving into the less-explored link between chemical exposure and various immune disorders, adding urgency to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and their implications for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaspare Drago
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| | - Noemi Aloi
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| | - Silvia Ruggieri
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| | - Alessandra Longo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| | - Maria Lia Contrino
- Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Siracusa, Corso Gelone 17, 96100 Siracusa, Italy; (M.L.C.); (F.M.C.)
| | - Fabio Massimo Contarino
- Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Siracusa, Corso Gelone 17, 96100 Siracusa, Italy; (M.L.C.); (F.M.C.)
| | - Fabio Cibella
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| | - Paolo Colombo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| | - Valeria Longo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
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Echevarría G, Lujan NK, Montoya J, Granda-Albuja MG, Valdiviezo-Rivera J, Sánchez F, Cuesta F, Ríos-Touma B. Abiotic and biotic factors influencing heavy metals pollution in fisheries of the Western Amazon. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168506. [PMID: 37963525 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168506] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The escalating industrial and artisanal extraction of natural resources in the Amazon Basin has centered it into the spotlight of global environmental concern. This study deals with the environmental problems of heavy metals pollution and biomagnification, which stem from mining, agricultural, petrochemical, and industrial discharges. We conducted an extensive investigation, analyzing 360 fish specimens representing 58 species, to assess the concentrations of 11 metals (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, He, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Hg) along the Ecuadorian sections of the Napo and Pastaza watersheds. Stable isotope analyses (δ15N and δ13C) were employed to determine their trophic positions and potential biomagnification risks. Sampling was carried out during two distinct hydrological seasons to capture seasonal variations in metal concentrations. Furthermore, we estimated species-specific daily heavy metal intake levels. The results of our study revealed that 15 fish species and 53 individual specimens exhibited heavy metal concentrations surpassing recommended standards, with elevated levels of Al, As, and Hg posing significant risks to human consumers with daily intakes of 0.46 kg/day. Notably, our investigation unveiled concerning trends, including increased metal concentrations, Hg biomagnification within fish populations from the Pastaza watershed, and an association between smaller fish size and higher metal content. This study provides a crucial baseline for monitoring future environmental changes and understanding the persistent impacts of heavy metal pollution in the Ecuadorian Amazon region and the broader Western Amazon. It underscores the urgent need for sustainable environmental management practices to mitigate the escalating threat to these vital ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Echevarría
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Salud (BIOMAS), Universidad de Las Américas, Ecuador.
| | - Nathan K Lujan
- Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - José Montoya
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Salud (BIOMAS), Universidad de Las Américas, Ecuador
| | | | | | - Fernando Sánchez
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Salud (BIOMAS), Universidad de Las Américas, Ecuador
| | - Francisco Cuesta
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Salud (BIOMAS), Universidad de Las Américas, Ecuador.
| | - Blanca Ríos-Touma
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Salud (BIOMAS), Universidad de Las Américas, Ecuador.
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Lopes-Araújo A, Arrifano GP, Macchi BM, Augusto-Oliveira M, Santos-Sacramento L, Rodríguez Martín-Doimeadios RC, Jiménez-Moreno M, Martins Filho AJ, Alvarez-Leite JI, Oriá RB, do Nascimento JLM, Crespo-Lopez ME. Hair mercury is associated with dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk: An anthropometric, biochemical and genetic cross-sectional study of Amazonian vulnerable populations. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 229:115971. [PMID: 37105291 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study evaluated the association between human exposure to mercury and cardiovascular risk using lipid profile (including apolipoproteins) and genetic analysis of Amazonian riverine population. Anthropometric data (gender, age, height, weight, blood pressure, and neck and waist circumferences) of the participants were recorded. Total mercury and methylmercury (MeHg) content were quantified in hair by ICP-MS and GC-pyro-AFS system. Polymorphisms rs662799, rs693, rs429358 and rs7412 (of genes of apolipoproteins A-V, B, and E at positions 112 and 158, respectively) were genotyped by real-time PCR. The population presented a dyslipidemia profile significantly correlated with high mercury levels. The apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I (ApoB/ApoA-I) index was also positively correlated with mercury, supporting a possible causal relationship. Allelic distributions were similar to those described in other populations, suggesting that genetic susceptibility may not have a significant role in the lipid alterations found in this work. This study demonstrated for the first time: i) the relationship between mercury exposure and cardiovascular risk-related apolipoproteins in humans, ii) the ApoB levels and the ApoB/ApoA-I index as the risk factors more strongly associated to the mercury-related dyslipidemia in humans, and iii) the prevalence of high/moderate risk of acute myocardial infarction in the vulnerable and chronically exposed-populations of the Amazon, in addition to the genotypic profile of the three most frequent polymorphisms in apolipoproteins of relevance for cardiovascular risk. This early detection of lipid alterations is essential to prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), especially in chronically exposed populations such as those found in the Amazon. Therefore, in addition to provide data for the Minamata Convention implementation, our work is in line with the efforts joined by all members of the World Health Organization committed to reducing premature deaths originating from non-communicable diseases by 25% in 2025, including CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela P Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil
| | - Barbarella M Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil
| | - Letícia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil
| | - Rosa C Rodríguez Martín-Doimeadios
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - María Jiménez-Moreno
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | | | | | - Reinaldo B Oriá
- Laboratório da Biologia da Cicatrização, Ontogenia e Nutrição de Tecidos. Departamento de Morfologia e Instituto de Biomedicina, Escola de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - José Luiz M do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil.
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Vieira JCS, Braga CP, Queiroz JVD, Cavecci-Mendonça B, Oliveira GD, Freitas NGD, Fernandes AAH, Fernandes MDS, Buzalaf MAR, Adamec J, Zara LF, Padilha PDM. The effects of mercury exposure on Amazonian fishes: An investigation of potential biomarkers. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 316:137779. [PMID: 36632955 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to mercury can interfere with the expression of proteins and enzymes, compromise important pathways, such as apoptosis and glucose metabolism, and even induce the expression of metallothioneins. In this study, analytical techniques were used to determine the concentration of total mercury (THg) in muscle and liver tissue, protein pellets, and spots [using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS)], and molecular techniques were used to identify metalloproteins present in mercury-associated protein spots. Thirty individuals from three different fish species, Cichla sp. (n = 10), Brachyplatystoma filamentosum (n = 10), and Semaprochilodus sp. (n = 10) from the Brazilian Amazon were used. Oxidative stress indicators [such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), a marker of lipid peroxidation (LPO)] and the possible expression of metallothioneins in muscle and liver tissues were investigated. The two piscivorous species, Cichla sp. and B. filamentosum, presented the highest concentrations of mercury in their hepatic tissue, 1219 ± 15.00 and 1044 ± 13.6 μg kg-1, respectively, and in their muscle tissue, 101 ± 1.30 μg kg-1 and 87.4 ± 0.900 μg kg-1, respectively. The non-carnivorous species Semaprochilodus sp. had comparatively low concentrations of mercury in both its hepatic (852 ± 11.1 μg kg-1) and muscle (71.4 ± 0.930 μg kg-1) tissues. The presence of mercury was identified in 24 protein spots using GFAAS; concentrations ranged from 11.5 to 787 μg kg-1, and mass spectrometry identified 21 metal-binding proteins. The activities of GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD, related to oxidative stress, decreased proportionally as tissue Hg concentrations increased, while the levels of LPO markers increased, indicating the presence of stress. Our study results demonstrate possible mercury interference in oxidative stress markers (GSH-Px, CAT, SOD, and LPO), in addition to the identification of 21 metal-binding proteins as possible biomarkers of mercury exposure in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - João Vitor de Queiroz
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruna Cavecci-Mendonça
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Grasieli de Oliveira
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Jiri Adamec
- University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln, United States
| | - Luiz Fabrício Zara
- University of Brasília (UNB), College of Planaltina, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Pedro de Magalhães Padilha
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
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Fish consumption habits of pregnant women in Itaituba, Tapajós River basin, Brazil: risks of mercury contamination as assessed by measuring total mercury in highly consumed piscivore fish species and in hair of pregnant women. ARHIV ZA HIGIJENU RADA I TOKSIKOLOGIJU 2022; 73:131-142. [PMID: 35792767 PMCID: PMC9287832 DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2022-73-3611] [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: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The Tapajós River basin in the Amazon region, Brazil is one of the most active gold mining areas in the world. In this study, we evaluated fish consumption habits and mercury exposure in 110 pregnant women in the city of Itaituba by measuring their total hair mercury concentrations. In addition, we investigated seasonal differences in mercury concentrations in two highly consumed piscivorous fish species, tucunaré (Cichla spp.) and pescada (Plagioscion squamosissimus). Total fish mercury concentrations (THg) during the dry season were 0.62±0.07 mg/kg for Cichla spp. and 0.73±0.08 mg/kg for P. squamosissimus. During the rainy season they were 0.39±0.04 and 0.84±0.08 mg/ kg, respectively. Of our participants 44 % declared that they ate Cichla spp. and 67 % P. squamosissimus. Mean mercury concentration in their hair was 1.6±0.2 mg/kg and was above the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) reference dose of 1 mg/kg in 48 % of them. Mean fish THg concentrations were also above the joint Food and Drug Administration and US EPA safety limit of 0.5 mg/kg for P. squamosissimus during both seasons and for Cichla spp. during the dry season only. These results show that pregnant women should avoid consumption of these piscivorous fish species during pregnancy and call for a regular programme to monitor Hg levels in that area.
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Sánchez-Alarcón J, Milić M, Bustamante-Montes LP, Isaac-Olivé K, Valencia-Quintana R, Ramírez-Durán N. Genotoxicity of Mercury and Its Derivatives Demonstrated In Vitro and In Vivo in Human Populations Studies. Systematic Review. TOXICS 2021; 9:326. [PMID: 34941760 PMCID: PMC8704886 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9120326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Beside partial coverage in three reviews so far (1994, 2009, 2019), there is no review on genotoxic studies dealing with mercury (Hg) and human exposure using the most usual genotoxic assays: sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosomal aberrations (CA), cytochalasin B blocked micronucleus assay (CBMN), and single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE or alkaline comet assay). Fifty years from the first Hg genotoxicity study and with the Minamata Convention in force, the genotoxic potential of Hg and its derivatives is still controversial. Considering these antecedents, we present this first systematic literature overview of genotoxic studies dealing with Hg and human exposure that used the standard genotoxic assays. To date, there is not sufficient evidence for Hg human carcinogen classification, so the new data collections can be of great help. A review was made of the studies available (those published before the end of October 2021 on PubMed or Web of Science in English or Spanish language) in the scientific literature dealing with genotoxic assays and human sample exposure ex vivo, in vivo, and in vitro. Results from a total of 66 articles selected are presented. Organic (o)Hg compounds were more toxic than inorganic and/or elemental ones, without ruling out that all represent a risk. The most studied inorganic (i)Hg compounds in populations exposed accidentally, occupationally, or iatrogenically, and/or in human cells, were Hg chloride and Hg nitrate and of the organic compounds, were methylmercury, thimerosal, methylmercury chloride, phenylmercuric acetate, and methylmercury hydroxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juana Sánchez-Alarcón
- Doctorado en Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Conducta, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca 50180, Estado de México, Mexico;
- Cuerpo Académico Ambiente y Genética UATLX-CA-223, Laboratorio “Rafael Villalobos-Pietrini” de Toxicología Genómica y Química Ambiental, Facultad de Agrobiología, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Santa María Acuitlapilco 90120, Tlaxcala, Mexico;
| | - Mirta Milić
- Mutagenesis Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; or
| | | | - Keila Isaac-Olivé
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca 50180, Estado de México, Mexico;
| | - Rafael Valencia-Quintana
- Cuerpo Académico Ambiente y Genética UATLX-CA-223, Laboratorio “Rafael Villalobos-Pietrini” de Toxicología Genómica y Química Ambiental, Facultad de Agrobiología, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Santa María Acuitlapilco 90120, Tlaxcala, Mexico;
| | - Ninfa Ramírez-Durán
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca 50180, Estado de México, Mexico;
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Silva-Filho R, Santos N, Santos MC, Nunes Á, Pinto R, Marinho C, Lima T, Fernandes MP, Santos JCC, Leite ACR. Impact of environmental mercury exposure on the blood cells oxidative status of fishermen living around Mundaú lagoon in Maceió - Alagoas (AL), Brazil. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 219:112337. [PMID: 34029837 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mercury in the aquatic environment can lead to exposure of the human population and is a known toxic metal due to its capacity for accumulation in organs. We aimed to evaluate the mercury level in the blood and urine of fishermen and correlate it with the level of oxidative stress in blood cells. We show in this case-control study that the fishermen of the exposed group (case) of Mundaú Lagoon (Maceió - Alagoas, Brazil) have higher concentrations of total mercury in the blood (0.73-48.38 μg L-1) and urine (0.430-10.2 μg L-1) than the total mercury concentrations in blood (0.29-17.30 μg L-1) and urine (0.210-2.65 μg L-1) of the control group. In the blood cells of fishermen, we observed that the lymphomononuclear cells produced high levels of reactive oxygen species (61.7%), and the erythrocytes presented increased lipid peroxidation (151%) and protein oxidation (41.0%) and a decrease in total thiol (36.5%), GSH and the REDOX state (16.5%). The activity of antioxidant system enzymes (SOD, GPx, and GST) was also reduced in the exposed group by 26.9%, 28.3%, and 19.0%, respectively. Furthermore, hemoglobin oxygen uptake was decreased in the exposed group (40.0%), and the membrane of cells presented increased osmotic fragility (154%) compared to those in the control group. These results suggest that mercury in the blood of fishermen can be responsible for causing impairments in the oxidative status of blood cells and is probably the cause of the reduction in oxygen uptake capacity and damage to the membranes of erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reginaldo Silva-Filho
- Laboratory of Bioenergetics, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil; Laboratory of Instrumentation and Development in Analytical Chemistry, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Nerveson Santos
- Laboratory of Bioenergetics, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Mayara Costa Santos
- Laboratory of Instrumentation and Development in Analytical Chemistry, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Ábner Nunes
- Research Group of Catalysis and Chemical Reactivity, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió-AL, Brazil
| | | | | | - Talitta Lima
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Exercise Biochemistry, Academic Center of Victory, Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil
| | - Mariana P Fernandes
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Exercise Biochemistry, Academic Center of Victory, Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil
| | - Josué Carinhanha C Santos
- Laboratory of Instrumentation and Development in Analytical Chemistry, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil.
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Raposo RDS, Pinto DV, Moreira R, Dias RP, Fontes Ribeiro CA, Oriá RB, Malva JO. Methylmercury Impact on Adult Neurogenesis: Is the Worst Yet to Come From Recent Brazilian Environmental Disasters? Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:591601. [PMID: 33328968 PMCID: PMC7719787 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.591601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide environmental tragedies of anthropogenic origin causing massive release of metals and other pollutants have been increasing considerably. These pollution outbreaks affect the ecosystems and impact human health. Among those tragedies, recent large-scale environmental disasters in Brazil strongly affected riverside populations, leading to high-risk exposure to methylmercury (MeHg). MeHg is highly neurotoxic to the developing brain. This toxicant causes neural stem cell dysfunction and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. However, less is known about the effects of MeHg in the postnatal neurogenic niche, which harbors neural stem cells and their progeny, in the adult brain. Therefore, taking in consideration the impact of MeHg in human health it is urgent to clarify possible associations between exposure to mercury, accelerated cognitive decline, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this perspectives paper, we discuss the neurotoxic mechanisms of MeHg on postnatal neurogenesis and the putative implications associated with accelerated brain aging and early-onset cognitive decline in populations highly exposed to this environmental neurotoxicant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon da Silva Raposo
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB) and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Experimental Biology Core, Health Sciences Center, University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Daniel Vieira Pinto
- Laboratory of Tissue Healing, Ontogeny and Nutrition, Department of Morphology, School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Moreira
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB) and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ronaldo Pereira Dias
- Laboratory of Tissue Healing, Ontogeny and Nutrition, Department of Morphology, School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto Fontes Ribeiro
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB) and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Reinaldo Barreto Oriá
- Laboratory of Tissue Healing, Ontogeny and Nutrition, Department of Morphology, School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - João Oliveira Malva
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB) and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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9
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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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10
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Lee S, Hong YC, Park H, Kim Y, Ha M, Ha E. Combined effects of multiple prenatal exposure to pollutants on birth weight: The Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 181:108832. [PMID: 31810591 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence shows that prenatal environmental exposures is a risk factor for restricted intrauterine growth. However, only a few studies have examined the effects of multiple environmental exposures on fetal growth. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of prenatal exposure on multiple environmental pollutants (heavy metals, bisphenol, phthalates, and air pollutants) on birth weight. METHODS The Mothers and Children's Environmental Health study is a prospective birth cohort comprising a total of 719 mother-child pairs, including 466 pairs undergoing early pregnancy exposure and 542 pairs of late pregnancy exposure. The concentrations of three heavy metals (mercury, lead, and cadmium) in the maternal blood samples were measured. The concentrations of three phthalate metabolites [mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate, and mono-n-butyl phthalate] and bisphenol A in maternal urine samples were measured. Daily exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure was estimated based on residence and averaged by gestational age. To assess the combined effect of multiple pollutants, principal components analysis (PCA) and supervised principal components analysis (SCPA) were conducted. RESULTS Based on PCA, the components representing PM10 and NO2 exposure during early pregnancy were significantly associated with birth weight of -32.68 g (95% CI: -64.45 g to -0.91 g) per unit increase of the corresponding component. In SCPA model, the components representing NO2 exposure during early pregnancy and the combined exposure to mercury and lead during late pregnancy were negatively associated with birth weight of -46.63 g (95% CI: -90.65 g to -2.62 g) and -55.32 g (95% CI: -99.01 g to -11.64 g), respectively, per unit increase of the corresponding component. CONCLUSION Based on our multi-pollutant model, PM10 and NO2 exposure in early pregnancy and the combined effect of Pb and Hg in late pregnancy were associated with reduced birth weight. Our results suggest that exposure to various pollutants during pregnancy has a significant cumulative effect on birth weight, even if each pollutant is at a level below the concentration required for direct effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seulbi Lee
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyesook Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yangho Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Mina Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunhee Ha
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Research Institute for Human Health Information, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Ewha Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Tang R, Li X, Mo Y, Ma Y, Ding C, Wang J, Zhang T, Wang X. Toxic responses of metabolites, organelles and gut microorganisms of Eisenia fetida in a soil with chromium contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 251:910-920. [PMID: 31234257 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.05.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The toxic sensitivity in different physiological levels of chromium (Cr) contaminated soils with environmentally equivalent concentrations (EEC) was fully unknown. The earthworm Eisenia fetida was exposed to a Cr-contaminated soil at the EEC level (referred to as Cr-CS) to characterize the induced toxicity at the whole body, organ, tissue, subcellular structure and metabolic levels. The results showed that the survival rate, weight and biodiversity of the gut microorganisms (organ) had no significant difference (p > 0.05) between control and Cr-CS groups. Qualitative histopathological and subcellular evaluations from morphology showed earthworms obvious injuries. The organelle injuries combined with the metabolic changes provided additional evidence that the Cr-CS damaged the nucleus and probably disturbed the nucleic acid metabolism of earthworms. 2-hexyl-5-ethyl-3-furansulfonate, dimethylglycine, betaine and scyllo-inositol were sensitive and relatively quantitative metabolites that were recommended as potential biomarkers for Cr-CS based on their significant weights in the multivariate analysis model. In addition, the relative abundance of Burkholderiaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Microscillaceae of the earthworm guts in the Cr-CS group significantly increased, particularly for Burkholderiaceae (increased by 13.1%), while that of Aeromonadaceae significantly decreased by 5.6% in contrast with the control group. These results provided new insights into our understanding of the toxic effects of the EEC level of Cr contaminated soil from different physiological levels of earthworms and extend our knowledge on the composition and sensitivity of the earthworm gut microbiota in Cr contaminated soil ecosystems. Furthermore, these toxic responses from gut microorganisms to metabolites of earthworms provided important data to improve the adverse outcome pathway and toxic mechanism of the Cr-CS if the earthworm genomics and proteomics would be also gained in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronggui Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China; Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Xiaogang Li
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China; Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yongliang Mo
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yibing Ma
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Changfeng Ding
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Junsong Wang
- Center for Molecular Metabolism, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China.
| | - Taolin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xingxiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China.
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12
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Freire MAM, Santana LNS, Bittencourt LO, Nascimento PC, Fernandes RM, Leão LKR, Fernandes LMP, Silva MCF, Amado LL, Gomes-Leal W, Crespo-Lopez ME, Maia CDSF, Lima RR. Methylmercury intoxication and cortical ischemia: Pre-clinical study of their comorbidity. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 174:557-565. [PMID: 30865911 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Stroke is one of the main causes of human disability worldwide. Ischemic stroke is mostly characterized by metabolic collapse and fast tissue damage, followed by secondary damage in adjacent regions not previously affected. Heavy metals intoxication can be associated with stroke incidence, because of their damaging action in the vascular system. Mercury, in particular, possesses a high tropism by metabolically active regions, such as the brain. In the present study we sought to evaluate whether methylmercury (MeHg) intoxication can aggravate the tissue damage caused by an ischemic stroke induced by microinjections of endothelin-1 (ET-1) into the motor cortex of adult rats. Following MeHg intoxication by gavage (0.04 mg/kg/day) during 60 days, the animals were injected with ET-1 (1 μl, 40 pmol/μl) or vehicle (1 μl). After 7 days, all animals were submitted to behavioral tests and then their brains were processed to biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses. We observed that long-term MeHg intoxication promoted a significant Hg deposits in the motor cortex, with concomitant increase of microglial response, followed by reduction of the neuronal population following ischemia and MeHg intoxication, as well as disturbance in the antioxidant defense mechanisms by misbalance of oxidative biochemistry with increase of both lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels, associated to behavioral deficits. MeHg exposure and cortical ischemia demonstrated that both injuries are able of causing significant neurobehavioural impairments in motor coordination and learning accompanied of an exacerbated microglial activation, oxidative stress and neuronal loss in the motor cortex, indicating that MeHg as a source of metabolic disturbance can act as an important increasing factor of ischemic events in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luana Nazaré S Santana
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Oliveira Bittencourt
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Priscila Cunha Nascimento
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Rafael Monteiro Fernandes
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Luana Ketlen R Leão
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Luanna Melo P Fernandes
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Marcia Cristina F Silva
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Lílian Lund Amado
- Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Walace Gomes-Leal
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuroprotection and Neuroregeneration, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Cristiane do Socorro F Maia
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
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13
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Santana LNDS, Bittencourt LO, Nascimento PC, Fernandes RM, Teixeira FB, Fernandes LMP, Freitas Silva MC, Nogueira LS, Amado LL, Crespo-Lopez ME, Maia CDSF, Lima RR. Low doses of methylmercury exposure during adulthood in rats display oxidative stress, neurodegeneration in the motor cortex and lead to impairment of motor skills. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2019; 51:19-27. [PMID: 30466930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Despite the vast distribution among tissues, the central nervous system (CNS) represents the main target of methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of MeHg exposure on the CNS at equivalent doses to human environmental exposure. In our study, we evaluated the motor cortex, an important area of motor control, in adult rats chronically exposed to MeHg in a concentration equivalent to those found in fish-eating populations exposed to mercury (Hg). The parameters evaluated were total Hg accumulation, oxidative stress, tissue damage, and behavioral assessment in functional actions that involved this cortical region. Our results show in exposed animals a significantly greater level of Hg in the motor cortex; increase of nitrite levels and lipid peroxidation, associated with decreased antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals; reduction of neuronal and astrocyte density; and poor coordination and motor learning impairment. Our data showed that chronic exposure at low doses to MeHg is capable of promoting damages to the motor cortex of adult animals, with changes in oxidative biochemistry misbalance, neurodegeneration, and motor function impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Nazaré da Silva Santana
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Oliveira Bittencourt
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Priscila Cunha Nascimento
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Rafael Monteiro Fernandes
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Francisco Bruno Teixeira
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Luanna Melo Pereira Fernandes
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Marcia Cristina Freitas Silva
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Lygia Sega Nogueira
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Lílian Lund Amado
- Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Cristiane do Socorro Ferraz Maia
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
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14
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Pereira LC, de Paula ES, Pazin M, Carneiro MFH, Grotto D, Barbosa F, Dorta DJ. Niacin prevents mitochondrial oxidative stress caused by sub-chronic exposure to methylmercury. Drug Chem Toxicol 2018; 43:64-70. [PMID: 30192646 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2018.1497045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Humans and animals can be exposed to different chemical forms of mercury (Hg) in the environment. For example, methylmercury (MeHg)-contaminated fish is part of the basic diet of the riparian population in the Brazilian Amazon Basin, which leads to high total blood and plasma Hg levels in people living therein. Hg induces toxic effects mainly through oxidative stress. Different compounds have been used to prevent the damage caused by MeHg-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study aims to investigate the in vivo effects of sub-chronic exposure to low MeHg levels on the mitochondrial oxidative status and to evaluate the niacin protective effect against MeHg-induced oxidative stress. For this purpose, Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group, treated with drinking water on a daily basis; group exposed to MeHg at a dose of 100 µg/kg/day; group that received niacin at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day in drinking water, with drinking water being administered by gavage; group that received niacin at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day in drinking water as well as MeHg at a dose of 100 µg/kg/day. After 12 weeks, the rats, which weighed 500-550 g, were sacrificed, and their liver mitochondria were isolated by standard differential centrifugation. Sub-chronic exposure to MeHg (100 µg/kg/day for 12 weeks) led to mitochondrial swelling (p < 0.05) and induced ROS overproduction as determined by increased DFCH oxidation (p < 0.05), increased gluthatione oxidation (p < 0.05), and reduced protein thiol content (p < 0.05). In contrast, niacin supplementation inhibited oxidative stress, which counteracted and minimized the toxic MeHg effects on mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lílian Cristina Pereira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil.,Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, Departamento de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil.,Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, TOXICAM - Núcleo de Avaliação do Impacto Ambiental sobre a Saúde Humana, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Silva de Paula
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Murilo Pazin
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Maria Fernanda Hornos Carneiro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Denise Grotto
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Toxicologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de Sorocaba, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Daniel Junqueira Dorta
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil.,Instituto Nacional de Tecnologias Alternativas de Detecção, Avaliação Toxicológica e Remoção de Micropututantes e Radioativos (INCT-DATREM), Unesp, Instituto de Química, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brasil
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15
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Arrifano GPF, Alvarez-Leite JI, Souza-Monteiro JR, Augusto-Oliveira M, Paraense R, Macchi BM, Pinto A, Oriá RB, do Nascimento JLM, Crespo-Lopez ME. In the Heart of the Amazon: Noncommunicable Diseases and Apolipoprotein E4 Genotype in the Riverine Population. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E1957. [PMID: 30205523 PMCID: PMC6165059 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15091957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The Amazon River basin is the largest tropical forest in the world. Most of the Amazon belongs to Brazil, a developing country that currently faces huge challenges related to the consolidation of its universal healthcare system. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in Brazil, accounting for 74% of all deaths, and NCDs are probably underestimated in Amazonian population because of their geographical isolation and the precariousness of riverine communities. Important risk factors, such as genetic susceptibility, remain undetermined in the riverine population. This study performed fasting blood sugar (FBS) and blood pressure measurements and investigated the presence of the ε4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE4) to determine the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and the genetic risk of NCDs. FBS and APOE4 were measured in blood samples from 763 participants using spectrometry and real-time PCR; 67.5% showed altered measurements, and 57.9% had never been diagnosed or treated. Altered FBS was found in 28.3% of the participants, hypertension in 57.6% and APOE4 in 32.0%. The health profile of the riverine population appears to differ from that of urban population in the Amazon. Additional risk factors for NCDs, such as environmental contamination and nutritional transition, may contribute more than increased genetic susceptibility to the prevalence of altered FBS and hypertension. Our results will help guide the development of preventive strategies and governmental actions for more effective management of NCDs in the Amazon area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela P F Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Jacqueline I Alvarez-Leite
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-90, Brazil.
| | - José Rogério Souza-Monteiro
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção (Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto), Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66063-023, Brazil.
| | - Ricardo Paraense
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Barbarella M Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - André Pinto
- Laboratório de Análises Clínicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Reinaldo B Oriá
- Laboratório da Biologia da Cicatrização, Ontogenia e Nutrição de Tecidos, Departamento de Morfologia e Instituto de Biomedicina, Escola de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-160, Brazil.
| | - José Luiz Martins do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil.
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16
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Oliveira AN, Pinheiro AM, Belém-Filho IJA, Fernandes LMP, Cartágenes SC, Ribera PC, Fontes-Júnior EA, Crespo-Lopez ME, Monteiro MC, Lima MO, Maia CSF. Unravelling motor behaviour hallmarks in intoxicated adolescents: methylmercury subtoxic-dose exposure and binge ethanol intake paradigm in rats. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:21937-21948. [PMID: 29797195 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2235-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a hazardous environmental pollutant, affecting Amazon basin communities by anthropogenic activities. The exact safe level of MeHg exposure is unclear, despite the efforts of health international societies to avoid mercury (Hg) poisoning. Central nervous system is severely impacted by Hg intoxication, reflecting on motor impairment. In addition, alcohol has been associated to an overall brain damage. According to lifestyle of Amazon riverside communities, alcohol intake occurs frequently. Thus, we investigated if continuous MeHg exposure at low doses during adolescence displays motor deficits (experiment 1). In the experiment 2, we examine if the co-intoxication (i.e. MeHg plus ethanol exposure) during adolescence intensify motor damage. In the experiment 1, Wistar adolescent rats (31 days old) received chronic exposure to low dose (CELD) of MeHg (40 μg/kg/day) for 35 days. For the experiment 2, five sessions of alcohol binge drinking paradigm (3ON-4OFF; 3.0 g/kg/day) were employed associated to MeHg intoxication. Motor behaviour was evaluated by the open field, pole test, beam walking and rotarod paradigms. CELDS of MeHg display motor function damage, related to hypoactivity, bradykinesia-like behaviour, coordination deficits and motor learning impairment. Co-intoxication of MeHg plus ethanol reduced cerebellar Hg content, however also resulted in motor behavioural impairment, as well as additive effects on bradykinesia and fine motor evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Nascimento Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Alana Miranda Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Ivaldo Jesus Almeida Belém-Filho
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Luanna Melo Pereira Fernandes
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Carvalho Cartágenes
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Paula Cardoso Ribera
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Enéas Andrade Fontes-Júnior
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil
| | | | - Marta Chagas Monteiro
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Clinica, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UFPA, Belém, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Oliveira Lima
- Laboratório de Toxicologia, Seção de Meio Ambiente, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Socorro Ferraz Maia
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil.
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17
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Feitosa-Santana C, Souza GDS, Sirius EVP, Rodrigues AR, Cortes MIT, Silveira LCDL, Ventura DF. Color vision impairment with low-level methylmercury exposure of an Amazonian population – Brazil. Neurotoxicology 2018; 66:179-184. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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18
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Arrifano GPF, Martín-Doimeadios RCR, Jiménez-Moreno M, Ramírez-Mateos V, da Silva NFS, Souza-Monteiro JR, Augusto-Oliveira M, Paraense RSO, Macchi BM, do Nascimento JLM, Crespo-Lopez ME. Large-scale projects in the amazon and human exposure to mercury: The case-study of the Tucuruí Dam. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 147:299-305. [PMID: 28858702 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.08.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The Tucuruí Dam is one of the largest dams ever built in the Amazon. The area is not highly influenced by gold mining as a source of mercury contamination. Still, we recently noted that one of the most consumed fishes (Cichla sp.) is possibly contaminated with methylmercury. Therefore, this work evaluated the mercury content in the human population living near the Tucuruí Dam. Strict exclusion/inclusion criteria were applied for the selection of participants avoiding those with altered hepatic and/or renal functions. Methylmercury and total mercury contents were analyzed in hair samples. The median level of total mercury in hair was above the safe limit (10µg/g) recommended by the World Health Organization, with values up to 75µg/g (about 90% as methylmercury). A large percentage of the participants (57% and 30%) showed high concentrations of total mercury (≥ 10µg/g and ≥ 20µg/g, respectively), with a median value of 12.0µg/g. These are among the highest concentrations ever detected in populations living near Amazonian dams. Interestingly, the concentrations are relatively higher than those currently shown for human populations highly influenced by gold mining areas. Although additional studies are needed to confirm the possible biomagnification and bioaccumulation of mercury by the dams in the Amazon, our data already support the importance of adequate impact studies and continuous monitoring. More than 400 hydropower dams are operational or under construction in the Amazon, and an additional 334 dams are presently planned/proposed. Continuous monitoring of the populations will assist in the development of prevention strategies and government actions to face the problem of the impacts caused by the dams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela P F Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Rosa C Rodríguez Martín-Doimeadios
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45.071 Toledo, Spain
| | - María Jiménez-Moreno
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45.071 Toledo, Spain
| | - Vanesa Ramírez-Mateos
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45.071 Toledo, Spain
| | - Núbia F S da Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - José Rogério Souza-Monteiro
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção no Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Ricardo S O Paraense
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Barbarella M Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - José Luiz M do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil.
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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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20
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Nersesyan A, Kundi M, Waldherr M, Setayesh T, Mišík M, Wultsch G, Filipic M, Mazzaron Barcelos GR, Knasmueller S. Results of micronucleus assays with individuals who are occupationally and environmentally exposed to mercury, lead and cadmium. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2016; 770:119-139. [PMID: 27894681 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2016.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Millions of humans are exposed occupationally and environmentally to lead, mercury and cadmium compounds. Mercury compounds are less abundant but some of them belong to the most toxic chemicals which are known. We evaluated the literature to find out if these metals act in humans as genotoxic carcinogens and if their health effects can be predicted by use of micronucleus (MN) assays with lymphocytes and/or with other genotoxicity tests. Numerous studies showed that lead and mercury induce cancer in humans and also in animals, in vitro experiments with cultured cells indicate that they cause DNA damage via different molecular mechanisms including release of reactive oxygen species and interactions with DNA repair processes. Also in most human studies, positive results were obtained in MN tests with lymphocytes (all 15 occupational studies with lead yielded positive results, with mercury 6 out of 7 investigations were positive). For cadmium, there is clear evidence that it causes cancer in humans; however, induction of chromosomal damage was only seen in high dose experiments with mammalian cells while results of animal and human studies yielded conflicting results (only in 2 of 5MN trials with humans positive findings were reported). Possibly, non-genotoxic mechanisms such as inhibition of apoptosis and interaction with signaling pathways account for the carcinogenic properties of cadmium species. The findings of MN studies with lead and mercury are in excellent agreement with results which were obtained with other endpoints (e.g. chromosomal aberrations and comet formations) and it is evident that this approach can be used for occupational and environmental monitoring of exposed individuals. Important future tasks will be the realization of larger studies with a uniform standardized protocol, the additional evaluation of anomalies other than MN (nuclear buds and bridges) and the combination of such trials with investigations which allow to define the molecular mechanisms relevant for exposed humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armen Nersesyan
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Kundi
- Institute of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Monika Waldherr
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tahereh Setayesh
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Miroslav Mišík
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Georg Wultsch
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Metka Filipic
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron Barcelos
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Siegfried Knasmueller
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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Karimi R, Vacchi-Suzzi C, Meliker JR. Mercury exposure and a shift toward oxidative stress in avid seafood consumers. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 146:100-107. [PMID: 26745733 PMCID: PMC6191849 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/19/2015] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms of mercury (Hg) toxicity at low doses from seafood consumption, the most common exposure route, are not well understood. We tested the hypothesis that seafood Hg exposure is related to a shift in redox status, indicated by a decrease in the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH:GSSG) in blood, or increase in redox potential (Eh). We also examined whether key seafood nutrients (selenium (Se), omega-3 fatty acids) confound or modify this shift. We measured blood concentrations of total Hg, Se, GSH, GSSG, and the Omega-3 Index (% omega-3s of total fatty acids in red blood cell membranes) in seafood consumers in Long Island, NY. We examined relationships between Hg, GSH:GSSG ratio and Eh. Elevated blood Hg (>5.8µgL(-1)) was associated with lower GSH:GSSG (β=-116.73, p=0.01), with no evidence of confounding by Se or Omega-3 Index. However, in models stratified by Omega-3 Index levels, Hg-GSH:GSSG associations were weakened among those with high Omega-3 Index levels (>6% of fatty acids, β=-63.46, p=0.28), and heightened among those with low Omega-3 Index (β=-182.53, p<0.01). We observed comparable patterns for Eh in relation to Hg. These results support the hypothesis that Hg exposure from seafood is linked to a shift in redox status toward oxidative stress, modified by omega-3 fatty acids in this population. Further work should examine the role of different seafood nutrients and Hg-induced shifts in redox status in the diverse health effects associated with elevated Hg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Karimi
- Stony Brook University, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000, USA.
| | | | - Jaymie R Meliker
- Stony Brook University, Department of Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Stony Brook University, Program in Public Health, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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22
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Silva de Paula E, Carneiro MFH, Grotto D, Hernandes LC, Antunes LMG, Barbosa F. Protective effects of niacin against methylmercury-induced genotoxicity and alterations in antioxidant status in rats. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2016; 79:174-183. [PMID: 26914397 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2015.1137264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the potential beneficial effects of niacin (NA; vitamin B3) supplementation in rats chronically exposed to methylmercury (MeHg). Animals were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups (n = 6): Group I, control, received distilled water by gavage; Group II, received MeHg (100 µg/kg/d) by gavage; Group III, received NA (50 mg/kg/d) in drinking water; Group IV, received MeHg (100 µg/kg/d) by gavage + NA (50 mg/kg/d) in drinking water. Biochemical parameters levels of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and fractions, and enzyme activities aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were determined. Further, oxidative stress markers activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activity, as well as levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide, were examined, and the comet assay was performed, using blood/plasma. Hg levels were measured in blood, brain, and kidneys of animals. Our results demonstrated that NA reduced adverse effects produced by MeHg. The mechanism underlying these effects appears to be related to the intrinsic antioxidant potential of NA. Considering the beneficial effects attributed to NA following MeHg exposure and that fish are the main source of both NA and MeHg, future studies need to evaluate the potential counteractive effect of NA against the adverse consequences of MeHg exposure in fish-eating populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Silva de Paula
- a Laboratório de Toxicologia e Essencialidade de Metais , Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-USP, Monte Alegre , Ribeirão Preto , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Maria Fernanda Hornos Carneiro
- a Laboratório de Toxicologia e Essencialidade de Metais , Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-USP, Monte Alegre , Ribeirão Preto , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Denise Grotto
- b Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas , Universidade de Sorocaba , Sorocaba , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Lívia Cristina Hernandes
- c Laboratório de Nutrigenômica , Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-USP, Monte Alegre , Ribeirão Preto , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Lusânia Maria Greggi Antunes
- c Laboratório de Nutrigenômica , Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-USP, Monte Alegre , Ribeirão Preto , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- a Laboratório de Toxicologia e Essencialidade de Metais , Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-USP, Monte Alegre , Ribeirão Preto , São Paulo , Brazil
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23
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Leão LKR, Herculano AM, Maximino C, Brasil Costa A, Gouveia A, Batista EO, Rocha FF, Crespo-Lopez ME, Borges R, Oliveira K. Mauritia flexuosa L. protects against deficits in memory acquisition and oxidative stress in rat hippocampus induced by methylmercury exposure. Nutr Neurosci 2016; 20:297-304. [PMID: 26869022 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2015.1133030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Methylmercury (MeHg) is the most toxic form of mercury that can affect humans through the food chain by bioaccumulation. Human organism is capable of triggering visual and cognitive disorders, neurodegeneration, as well as increased production of reactive species of O2 and depletion of natural anti-oxidant agents. In this context, Mauritia flexuosa L., a fruit rich in compounds with anti-oxidant properties, emerged as an important strategy to prevent the MeHg damages. So, this work has aimed to elucidate the protective effect of Mauritia flexuosa L. on the damage caused by the exposure of rats to MeHg. METHODS In order to evaluate the effect of MeHg on rat aversive memory acquisition and panic-like behavior, we have used elevated T-maze apparatus and after behavioral test, the hippocampus was removed to perfom lipid peroxidation. RESULTS Our results demonstrated that the exposure to MeHg caused deficits in inhibitory avoidance acquisition (aversive conditioning) and in the learning process, and increased levels of lipid peroxidation in hippocampus tissue. However, the pretreatment with feed enriched with Mauritia flexuosa L. showed a protective effect against cognitive deficits caused by MeHg and also prevented the occurrence of cytoplasmic membrane damage induced by lipid peroxidation in the hippocampal region. DISCUSSION Therefore, this study suggests that Mauritia flexuosa L. represents an important strategy to prevent neurocytotoxics and behavioral effects of MeHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana K R Leão
- a Laboratório de Neuroendocrinologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
| | - Anderson M Herculano
- a Laboratório de Neuroendocrinologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
| | - Caio Maximino
- a Laboratório de Neuroendocrinologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
| | - Alódia Brasil Costa
- a Laboratório de Neuroendocrinologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
| | - Amauri Gouveia
- b Laboratório de Neurociências e Comportamento, Núcleo de Teoria e Pesquisa do Comportamento , Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
| | - Evander O Batista
- c Laboratório de Protozoologia, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical , Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
| | - Fernando F Rocha
- d Laboratório de Neurofisiologia Eduardo Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- e Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
| | - Rosivaldo Borges
- f Laboratório de Química Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde , Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
| | - Karen Oliveira
- a Laboratório de Neuroendocrinologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
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Rangel-Méndez JA, Arcega-Cabrera FE, Fargher LF, Moo-Puc RE. Mercury levels assessment and its relationship with oxidative stress biomarkers in children from three localities in Yucatan, Mexico. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 543:187-196. [PMID: 26580741 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant that is released into the environment from geologic and anthropogenic sources. Once it enters an organism, it generates several toxicity mechanisms and oxidative stress has been proposed as the main one. Metal susceptibility is greater in children, which is a result of their physiology and behavior. In Yucatan, Mexico, burning of unregulated garbage dumps and household trash, ingestion of top marine predators, and pottery manufacturing are among the conditions that could promote Hg exposure. However, for Yucatan, there are no published studies that report Hg levels and associated oxidative stress status in children. Therefore, this study aimed to assess Hg levels in blood and urine and oxidative stress biomarkers levels in a sample of 107 healthy children from three localities in Yucatan, Mexico, as well as investigate the relationship between these parameters. Hg was detected in 11 (10.28%) of blood samples and 38 (35.51%) of urine samples collected from the participating children. Fourteen subjects showed Hg above recommended levels. The oxidative stress biomarkers were slightly elevated in comparison with other studies and were statistically different between the sampling sites. No linear correlation between Hg levels and oxidative stress biomarkers was found. Nevertheless, exploratory univariate and multivariate analysis showed non-linear relations among the measured variables. Globally, the study provides, for the first time, information regarding Hg levels and their relationship with oxidative stress biomarkers in a juvenile population from Mexico's southeast (Yucatan) region. In agreement with worldwide concern about Hg, this study should stimulate studies on metal monitoring in humans (especially children) among scientists working in Mexico, the establishment of polices for its regulation, and the reduction of human health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A Rangel-Méndez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica Yucatán, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Centro Médico Ignacio García Téllez, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Calle 41 No. 439, Col. Industrial, Mérida, Yucatán 97150, Mexico; Unidad de Química Sisal, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto de Abrigo S/N, Sisal 97355, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Flor E Arcega-Cabrera
- Unidad de Química Sisal, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto de Abrigo S/N, Sisal 97355, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Lane F Fargher
- Ecología Humana, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN-Unidad Mérida, Km 6 antigua carretera a Progreso, Mérida, Yucatán 97310, Mexico
| | - Rosa E Moo-Puc
- Unidad de Investigación Médica Yucatán, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Centro Médico Ignacio García Téllez, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Calle 41 No. 439, Col. Industrial, Mérida, Yucatán 97150, Mexico.
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25
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Khoury EDT, Souza GDS, da Costa CA, de Araújo AAK, de Oliveira CSB, Silveira LCDL, Pinheiro MDCN. Somatosensory Psychophysical Losses in Inhabitants of Riverside Communities of the Tapajós River Basin, Amazon, Brazil: Exposure to Methylmercury Is Possibly Involved. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144625. [PMID: 26658153 PMCID: PMC4676688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the somatosensory system of methylmercury-exposed inhabitants living in the communities of the Tapajós river basin by using psychophysical tests and to compare with measurements performed in inhabitants of the Tocantins river basin. We studied 108 subjects from Barreiras and São Luiz do Tapajós, two communities of the Tapajós river basin, State of Pará, Amazon, Brazil, aged 13–53 years old. Mercury analysis was performed in head hair samples weighting 0.1–0.2 g by using atomic absorption spectrometry. Three somatosensory psychophysical tests were performed: tactile sensation threshold, vibration sensation duration, and two-point discrimination. Semmes-Weinstein 20 monofilaments with different diameters were used to test the tactile sensation in the lower lip, right and left breasts, right and left index fingers, and right and left hallux. The threshold was the thinner monofilament perceived by the subject. Vibration sensation was investigated using a 128 Hz diapason applied to the sternum, right and left radial sides of the wrist, and right and left outer malleoli. Two trials were performed at each place. A stopwatch recorded the vibration sensation duration. The two-point discrimination test was performed using a two-point discriminator. Head hair mercury concentration was significantly higher in mercury-exposed inhabitants of Tapajós than in non-exposed inhabitants of Tocantins (p < 0.01). When all subjects were divided in two groups independently of age—mercury-exposed and non-exposed—the following results were found: tactile sensation thresholds in mercury-exposed subjects were higher than in non-exposed subjects at all body parts, except at the left chest; vibration sensation durations were shorter in mercury-exposed than in non-exposed subjects, at all locations except in the upper sternum; two-point discrimination thresholds were higher in mercury-exposed than in non-exposed subjects at all body parts. There was a weak linear correlation between tactile sensation threshold and mercury concentration in the head hair samples. No correlation was found for the other two measurements. Mercury-exposed subjects had impaired somatosensory function compared with non-exposed control subjects. Long-term mercury exposure of riverside communities in the Tapajós river basin is a possible but not a definitely proven cause for psychophysical somatosensory losses observed in their population. Additionally, the relatively simple psychophysical measures used in this work should be followed by more rigorous measures of the same population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Givago da Silva Souza
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Luiz Carlos de Lima Silveira
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- Universidade Ceuma, São Luís, MA, Brazil
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Barcelos GRM, Souza MFD, Oliveira AÁSD, Lengert AVH, Oliveira MTD, Camargo RBDOG, Grotto D, Valentini J, Garcia SC, Braga GÚL, Cólus IMDS, Adeyemi J, Barbosa F. Effects of genetic polymorphisms on antioxidant status and concentrations of the metals in the blood of riverside Amazonian communities co-exposed to Hg and Pb. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 138:224-232. [PMID: 25728017 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
There have been reports of genetic effects affecting the metabolism of Hg and Pb individually, and thus modulating their toxicities. However, there is still a knowledge gap with respect to how genetics may influence the toxicities of these toxic metals during a co-exposure scenario. This present study is therefore aimed at investigating the effects of polymorphisms in genes (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, GCLM, GCLC, GPx1, ALAD, VDR and MDR1) that have been implicated in Hg and Pb metabolisms affects the kinetics of these metals, as well as various blood antioxidant status parameters: MDA and GSH, and the activities of CAT, GPx and ALAD among populations that have been co-exposed to both Hg and Pb. Study subjects (207 men; 188 women) were from an Amazonian population in Brazil, exposed to Hg and Pb from diet. The blood levels of Hg and Pb were determined by ICP-MS while genotyping were performed by PCR assays. The median values of Hg and Pb in blood were 39.8µg/L and 11.0µg/dL, respectively. GSTM1, ALAD and VDR polymorphisms influenced Hg in blood (β=0.17; 0.37 and 0.17; respectively, p<0.050) while variations on GCLM, GSTT1 and MDR1 (TT) modulated the concentrations of Pb among the subjects (β=-0.14; 0.13 and -0.22; re-spectively, p<0.050). GSTT1 and GCLM polymorphisms also are associated to changes of MDA concentrations. Persons with null GSTM1 genotype had higher activity of the antioxidant enzyme CAT than carries of the allele. Individuals with deletion of both GSTM1 and GSTT1 had a decreased expression of GPx compared to those that expressed at least, one of the enzymes. ALAD 1/2 subjects had lower ALAD activity than individuals with the non-variant genotype. Our findings give further support that polymorphisms related to Hg and Pb metabolism may modulate Hg and Pb body burden and, consequently metals-induced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron Barcelos
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/no, CEP 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Marilesia Ferreira de Souza
- Department of General Biology, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380, CEP 86051-990 Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Andréia Ávila Soares de Oliveira
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/no, CEP 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - André van Helvoort Lengert
- Department of General Biology, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380, CEP 86051-990 Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Tempesta de Oliveira
- Department of General Biology, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380, CEP 86051-990 Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Denise Grotto
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/no, CEP 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Valentini
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/no, CEP 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Solange Cristina Garcia
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga, 2752, CEP 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gilberto Úbida Leite Braga
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/no, CEP 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ilce Mara de Syllos Cólus
- Department of General Biology, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380, CEP 86051-990 Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Joseph Adeyemi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Osun State University, P.M.B. 4494 Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/no, CEP 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Tchounwou PB, Yedjou CG, Patlolla AK, Sutton DJ. Heavy metal toxicity and the environment. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2015; 101:133-64. [PMID: 22945569 PMCID: PMC4144270 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7643-8340-4_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1954] [Impact Index Per Article: 217.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that have a high atomic weight and a density at least five times greater than that of water. Their multiple industrial, domestic, agricultural, medical, and technological applications have led to their wide distribution in the environment, raising concerns over their potential effects on human health and the environment. Their toxicity depends on several factors including the dose, route of exposure, and chemical species, as well as the age, gender, genetics, and nutritional status of exposed individuals. Because of their high degree of toxicity, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury rank among the priority metals that are of public health significance. These metallic elements are considered systemic toxicants that are known to induce multiple organ damage, even at lower levels of exposure. They are also classified as human carcinogens (known or probable) according to the US Environmental Protection Agency and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This review provides an analysis of their environmental occurrence, production and use, potential for human exposure, and molecular mechanisms of toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul B Tchounwou
- NIH-RCMI Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, 18750, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA,
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28
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Tinkov AA, Ajsuvakova OP, Skalnaya MG, Popova EV, Sinitskii AI, Nemereshina ON, Gatiatulina ER, Nikonorov AA, Skalny AV. Mercury and metabolic syndrome: a review of experimental and clinical observations. Biometals 2015; 28:231-54. [DOI: 10.1007/s10534-015-9823-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Puty B, Maximino C, Brasil A, da Silva WLL, Gouveia A, Oliveira KRM, Batista EDJO, Crespo-Lopez ME, Rocha FAF, Herculano AM. Ascorbic acid protects against anxiogenic-like effect induced by methylmercury in zebrafish: action on the serotonergic system. Zebrafish 2014; 11:365-70. [PMID: 24979594 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2013.0947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the protector effect of ascorbic acid (AA) against anxiogenic-like effect induced by methylmercury (MeHg) exposure, adult zebrafish were treated with AA (2 mg g(-1), intraperitoneal [i.p.]) before MeHg administration (1.0 μg g(-1), i.p.). Groups were tested for the light/dark preference as a behavioral model of anxiety, and the content of serotonin and its oxidized metabolite tryptamine-4,5-dione (T-4,5-D) in the brain was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. MeHg has produced a marked anxiogenic profile in both tests, and this effect was accompanied by a decrease in the extracellular levels of serotonin, and an increase in the extracellular levels of T-4,5-D. Added to this, a marked increase in the formation of a marker of oxidative stress accompanied these parameters. Interestingly, the anxiogenic-like effect and biochemical alterations induced by MeHg were blocked by pretreatment with AA. These results for the first time demonstrated the potential protector action of AA in neurobehavioral and neurochemical alterations induced by methylmecury exposure demonstrating that zebrafish model could be used as an important tool for testing substances with neuroprotector actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Puty
- 1 Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para , Belém, Pará, Brazil
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30
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Rodríguez Martín-Doimeadios RC, Berzas Nevado JJ, Guzmán Bernardo FJ, Jiménez Moreno M, Arrifano GPF, Herculano AM, do Nascimento JLM, Crespo-López ME. Comparative study of mercury speciation in commercial fishes of the Brazilian Amazon. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:7466-7479. [PMID: 24590602 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-2680-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is responsible for serious episodes of environmental pollution throughout the world, especially in the Amazon. This toxicity has led regulatory agencies to focus on fish as the target organism for protecting the health of humans and other sensitive organisms. Unfortunately, in the Amazon area, different sampling strategies and the wide variety of sampling areas and fish species make it extremely difficult to determine relationships across geographic regions or over time to ascertain historical trends. Thus, the aim of this work was to achieve three main objectives: a comparative study of mercury contamination in fish of Itaituba (Tapajós, located downstream of the largest gold-mining region in Amazon) and Belém (an area non-exposed to mercury pollution of anthropogenic origin), perform an analysis of inorganic mercury (IHg) versus monomethylmercury (MeHg) contents, and, finally, compare mercury contamination in Tapajós over time. Five piscivorous species were obtained in Itaituba and Belém. Also, four non-piscivorous species were collected in Itaituba. For the first time, mercury speciation showed that (1) current MeHg levels in piscivorous species in Tapajós are higher than those of the non-exposed area, (2) piscivorous species from Itaituba (dourada, filhote, and sarda) contained mercury levels above the World Health Organization safety limit (~17%) and/or above the US Environmental Protection Agency tissue residue criterion (40%), (3) increased MeHg is usually accompanied by increased IHg, and (4) the mean total mercury concentrations for piscivorous species in Itaituba were within the same range and, associated uncertainties as those previously reported, although a remarkable decreasing trend over time was observed for mean total Hg concentrations in non-piscivorous species from Itaituba. The present study supports the importance of continuous monitoring of both populations in the Amazon Rivers. Our results will better assist the development of preventive strategies and governmental actions to confront the problem of mercury contamination in the Amazon.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Rodríguez Martín-Doimeadios
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071, Toledo, Spain
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31
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Khoury EDT, Souza GDS, Silveira LCDL, Costa CAD, Araújo AAD, Pinheiro MDCN. [Neurological manifestations in riverine populations from areas exposed to mercury in the Brazilian Amazon]. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2014; 29:2307-18. [PMID: 24233045 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00158012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated current levels of mercury exposure and sensory symptoms in adults from three riverine communities in Pará State, Brazil, two of which located in the Tapajós River basin and one in the Tocantins basin. Participants in this study included 78 residents in Barreiras (Tapajós), 30 in São Luiz do Tapajós (Tapajós), and 49 in Furo do Maracujá (Tocantins). Total hair mercury concentrations were quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and neurological evaluation was conducted by routine examination. Mercury concentrations in the Tapajós communities were higher than those in the Tocantins (p < 0.01). Evaluation of neurological changes showed no significant difference between the communities in exposed areas and control areas for the changes observed by conventional neurological examination, except for gait deviation (p < 0.05). The study concludes that despite the mercury exposure levels, there was a low frequency of sensory alterations according to conventional neurological testing.
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Marinho JS, Lima MO, Santos ECDO, de Jesus IM, Pinheiro MDCN, Alves CN, Muller RCS. Mercury speciation in hair of children in three communities of the Amazon, Brazil. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:945963. [PMID: 24734253 PMCID: PMC3966328 DOI: 10.1155/2014/945963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Children from riverside communities located downstream of gold mining areas may be chronically exposed to relatively high levels of MeHg through the consumption of fish of this region. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare levels of THg and MeHg in hair of children less than 12 years in communities near mines in the municipality of Itaituba and in communities far from prospecting areas in the city of Abaetetuba. The communities of Itaituba (Barreiras and São Luiz do Tapajós) had THg mean levels of 5.64±5.55 μg·g(-1) (0.43-27.82) and 11.41±7.16 μg.g(-1) (1.08-28.17), respectively, and an average count of MeHg relative to THg of 92.20% and 90.27%, respectively. In the Maranhão community, the THg average concentrations results were 2.27±2.11 μg·g(-1) (0.13-9.54) and the average values were 93.17% for MeHg. Children of Itaituba had average levels of mercury above the limit established by the World Health Organization (10 μg·g(-1)) and the strong correlation coefficient between the communities (R=0.968 and P=0.0001) suggests the hair as an excellent biomarker of human exposure to organic mercury in riverside populations of the Tapajós, which has the intake of fish daily as main source of protein dietary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamile Salim Marinho
- Evandro Chagas Institute, 316 Km, 07 Road, Levilândia, 67030-000 Ananindeua, PA, Brazil
- Federal University of Pará, 01 Augusto Corrêa Street, Guamá, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Oliveira Lima
- Evandro Chagas Institute, 316 Km, 07 Road, Levilândia, 67030-000 Ananindeua, PA, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Cláudio Nahum Alves
- Federal University of Pará, 01 Augusto Corrêa Street, Guamá, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil
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Angeli JK, Cruz Pereira CA, de Oliveira Faria T, Stefanon I, Padilha AS, Vassallo DV. Cadmium exposure induces vascular injury due to endothelial oxidative stress: the role of local angiotensin II and COX-2. Free Radic Biol Med 2013; 65:838-848. [PMID: 23973752 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2013.08.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Revised: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium is an environmental pollutant that is closely linked with cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. Moreover, cadmium can induce an increase in oxidative stress. One of the main sites affected by oxidative stress is the aorta, which consequently develops atherosclerosis. However, there are few reports demonstrating aortic effects induced by small concentrations of cadmium that are similar to those found in the blood resulting from occupational exposure. Furthermore, several studies have reported on chronic cadmium exposure, and the results of these studies may have been influenced by the secondary effects induced by this metal, such as hypertension. Therefore, we investigated the effects of acute cadmium exposure on the vascular reactivity to phenylephrine of aortic rings isolated from male Wistar rats. Cadmium increased phenylephrine reactivity without changing the vasorelaxation induced by acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. Endothelial damage or incubation with L-NAME shifted the phenylephrine concentration-response curves leftward in arteries incubated with or without cadmium, but the curves were shifted to a lesser degree after cadmium incubation. Enalapril, losartan, the nonselective COX inhibitor indomethacin, the TXA(2) synthase inhibitor furegrelate, the selective COX-2 inhibitor NS 398, the TP receptor antagonist SQ 29.548, the EP1 receptor antagonist SC 19.220, superoxide dismutase, and the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin partially reverted the cadmium-induced effects on the reactivity to phenylephrine. Cadmium exposure increased vasoconstrictor activity by reducing NO bioavailability owing to the increased production of ROS by NADPH oxidase. The results of the tested cadmium concentration, which is below the reference values, suggest that acute cadmium exposure may induce vascular injury through endothelial oxidative stress. These data contribute to the evidence indicating that cadmium is a high risk to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhuli Keli Angeli
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, 29040-091 Vitória, ES, Brazil.
| | | | - Thaís de Oliveira Faria
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, 29040-091 Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Ivanita Stefanon
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, 29040-091 Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Simão Padilha
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, 29040-091 Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Dalton Valentim Vassallo
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, 29040-091 Vitória, ES, Brazil; Escola de Ensino Superior da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitória, EMESCAM, Vitória, ES, Brazil
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34
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Barcelos GRM, Grotto D, de Marco KC, Valentini J, Lengert AVH, de Oliveira AÁS, Garcia SC, Braga GÚL, Schläwicke Engström K, Cólus IMDS, Broberg K, Barbosa F. Polymorphisms in glutathione-related genes modify mercury concentrations and antioxidant status in subjects environmentally exposed to methylmercury. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 463-464:319-325. [PMID: 23827356 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Revised: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity may vary widely despite similar levels of exposure. This is hypothetically related to genetic differences in enzymes metabolizing MeHg. MeHg causes oxidative stress in experimental models but little is known about its effects on humans. The aims of the present study was to evaluate the effects of polymorphisms in glutathione (GSH)-related genes (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and GCLM) on Hg concentrations in blood and hair, as well as MeHg-related effects on catalase (CAT) and glutathione-peroxidase (GPx) activity and GSH concentrations. Study subjects were from an Amazonian population in Brazil chronically exposed to MeHg from fish. Hg in blood and hair were determined by ICP-MS, CAT, GPx and GSH were determined by spectrophotometry, and multiplex PCR (GSTM1 and GSTT1) and TaqMan assays (GSTP1 and GCLM) were used for genotyping. Mean Hg concentrations in blood and hair were 48±36 μg/L and 14±10 μg/g. Persons with the GCLM-588 TT genotype had lower blood and hair Hg than did C-allele carriers (linear regression for Hg in blood β=-0.32, p=0.017; and hair β=-0.33; p=0.0090; adjusted for fish intake, age and gender). GSTM1*0 homozygous had higher blood (β=0.20; p=0.017) and hair Hg (hair β=0.20; p=0.013). Exposure to MeHg altered antioxidant status (CAT: β=-0.086; GSH: β=-0.12; GPx: β=-0.16; all p<0.010; adjusted for gender, age and smoking). Persons with GSTM1*0 had higher CAT activity in the blood than those with GSTM1. Our data thus indicate that some GSH-related polymorphisms, such as GSTM1 and GCLM may modify MeHg metabolism and Hg-related antioxidant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron Barcelos
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/no, CEP 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Chronic cadmium treatment promotes oxidative stress and endothelial damage in isolated rat aorta. PLoS One 2013; 8:e68418. [PMID: 23874620 PMCID: PMC3709967 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadmium is a highly toxic metal that is present in phosphate fertilizers, and the incidence of cadmium poisoning in the general population has increased, mainly due to cigarette smoking. Once absorbed, cadmium accumulates in the tissues, causing harmful effects including high blood pressure, endothelial damage and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is known to efficiently produce oxidized low-density lipoprotein and consequently atherosclerosis, mainly in the aorta. However, the mechanisms through which endothelial damage is induced by cadmium have not been elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of this metal in the isolated aorta and the possible role of oxidative stress. Rats received 100 mg.L(-1) cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in the drinking water or distilled water alone for four weeks. The pressor effect of cadmium was followed throughout the exposure period by tail plethysmography. At the end of the fourth week, the blood cadmium content was established, and the vascular reactivity of the isolated aorta to phenylephrine, acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside was analyzed in the context of endothelium denudation and incubation with L-NAME, apocynin, losartan, enalapril, superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase. We observed an increased response to phenylephrine in cadmium-treated rats. This increase was abolished by catalase and SOD incubation. Apocynin treatment reduced the phenylephrine response in both treatment groups, but its effect was greater in cadmium-treated rats, and NOX2 expression was greater in the cadmium group. These results suggested that cadmium in blood concentrations similar to those found in occupationally exposed populations is able to stimulate NOX2 expression, contributing to oxidative stress and reducing NO bioavailability, despite enhanced eNOS expression. These findings suggest that cadmium exposure promotes endothelial damage that might contribute to inflammation, vascular injury and the development of atherosclerosis.
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36
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Hassauer M, Kaiser E, Schneider K, Schuhmacher‐Wolz U. Collate the literature on toxicity data on mercury in experimental animals and humans (Part I – Data on organic mercury). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2012.en-297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hassauer
- Forschungs‐ und Beratungsinstitut Gefahrstoffe GmbH (FoBiG) Freiburg Germany
| | - Eva Kaiser
- Forschungs‐ und Beratungsinstitut Gefahrstoffe GmbH (FoBiG) Freiburg Germany
| | - Klaus Schneider
- Forschungs‐ und Beratungsinstitut Gefahrstoffe GmbH (FoBiG) Freiburg Germany
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37
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Scientific Opinion on the risk for public health related to the presence of mercury and methylmercury in food. EFSA J 2012. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 276] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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38
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Low mercury concentration produces vasoconstriction, decreases nitric oxide bioavailability and increases oxidative stress in rat conductance artery. PLoS One 2012; 7:e49005. [PMID: 23145049 PMCID: PMC3492199 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury is an environmental pollutant that reduces nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and increases oxidative stress, having a close link with cardiovascular diseases, as carotid atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease and hypertension. One of the main sites affected by oxidative stress, which develops atherosclerosis, is the aorta. Under acute exposure to low mercury concentrations reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were only reported for resistance vessels but if low concentrations of mercury also affect conductance arteries it is still unclear. We investigated the acute effects of 6 nM HgCl(2) on endothelial function of aortic rings measuring the reactivity to phenylephrine in rings incubated, or not, with HgCl(2) for 45 min, the protein expression for cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and the AT1 receptor. HgCl(2) increased Rmax and pD2 to phenylephrine without changing the vasorelaxation induced by acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. Endothelial damage abolished the increased reactivity to phenylephrine. The increase of Rmax and pD2 produced by L-NAME was smaller in the presence of HgCl(2). Enalapril, losartan, indomethacin, furegrelate, the selective COX-2 inhibitor NS 398, superoxide dismutase and the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin reverted HgCl(2) effects on the reactivity to phenylephrine, COX-2 protein expression was increased, and AT1 expression reduced. At low concentration, below the reference values, HgCl(2) increased vasoconstrictor activity by reducing NO bioavailability due to increased ROS production by NADPH oxidase activity. Results suggest that this is due to local release of angiotensin II and prostanoid vasoconstrictors. Results also suggest that acute low concentration mercury exposure, occurring time to time could induce vascular injury due to endothelial oxidative stress and contributing to increase peripheral resistance, being a high risk factor for public health.
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39
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Tchounwou PB, Yedjou CG, Patlolla AK, Sutton DJ. Heavy metal toxicity and the environment. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2012. [PMID: 22945569 DOI: 10.1007/978‐3‐7643‐8340‐4_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2022]
Abstract
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that have a high atomic weight and a density at least five times greater than that of water. Their multiple industrial, domestic, agricultural, medical, and technological applications have led to their wide distribution in the environment, raising concerns over their potential effects on human health and the environment. Their toxicity depends on several factors including the dose, route of exposure, and chemical species, as well as the age, gender, genetics, and nutritional status of exposed individuals. Because of their high degree of toxicity, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury rank among the priority metals that are of public health significance. These metallic elements are considered systemic toxicants that are known to induce multiple organ damage, even at lower levels of exposure. They are also classified as human carcinogens (known or probable) according to the US Environmental Protection Agency and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This review provides an analysis of their environmental occurrence, production and use, potential for human exposure, and molecular mechanisms of toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul B Tchounwou
- NIH-RCMI Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, 18750, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA,
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40
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Pinheiro MCN, Farripas SSM, Oikawa T, Costa CA, Amoras WW, Vieira JLF, Silveira AJA, Lima ACM, Souza GS, Silveira LCL. Temporal evolution of exposure to mercury in riverside communities in the Tapajós basin, from 1994 to 2010. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2012; 89:119-124. [PMID: 22527003 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-012-0652-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Accepted: 04/06/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Our objective was to evaluate the temporal evolution of mercury exposure in two riverside communities, Barreiras and São Luiz do Tapajós, downstream of gold mining areas in the Tapajós basin, Brazilian Amazon. The quantification of mercury in hair sample was made by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the period between 1994 and 2010. In São Luiz do Tapajós the mercury exposure varied, in log units, from the peak of 1.21 ± 0.03 μg/g in 1996 to 1.16 ± 0.07 μg/g in 2007. Mercury exposure in Barreiras varied, in log units, from 1.25 ± 0.04 μg/g in 1994 to 1 ± 0.03 μg/g in 2010, peaking in 1995 at 1.25 ± 0.06 μg/g. Total mercury concentration found in both communities had no statistical differences across the years (p > 0.05) and they were higher than non-mercury exposed communities in Brazil and in South America. We concluded that the mercury exposure in the Tapajós basin is more than regulatory levels or higher than the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C N Pinheiro
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Generalíssimo Deodoro 92, Belém, Pará, 66055-240, Brazil.
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Karagas MR, Choi AL, Oken E, Horvat M, Schoeny R, Kamai E, Cowell W, Grandjean P, Korrick S. Evidence on the human health effects of low-level methylmercury exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2012; 120:799-806. [PMID: 22275730 PMCID: PMC3385440 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1104494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 448] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2011] [Accepted: 01/24/2012] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methylmercury (MeHg) is a known neuro-toxicant. Emerging evidence indicates it may have adverse effects on the neuro-logic and other body systems at common low levels of exposure. Impacts of MeHg exposure could vary by individual susceptibility or be confounded by beneficial nutrients in fish containing MeHg. Despite its global relevance, synthesis of the available literature on low-level MeHg exposure has been limited. OBJECTIVES We undertook a synthesis of the current knowledge on the human health effects of low-level MeHg exposure to provide a basis for future research efforts, risk assessment, and exposure remediation policies worldwide. DATA SOURCES AND EXTRACTION We reviewed the published literature for original human epidemiologic research articles that reported a direct biomarker of mercury exposure. To focus on high-quality studies and those specifically on low mercury exposure, we excluded case series, as well as studies of populations with unusually high fish consumption (e.g., the Seychelles), marine mammal consumption (e.g., the Faroe Islands, circumpolar, and other indigenous populations), or consumption of highly contaminated fish (e.g., gold-mining regions in the Amazon). DATA SYNTHESIS Recent evidence raises the possibility of effects of low-level MeHg exposure on fetal growth among susceptible subgroups and on infant growth in the first 2 years of life. Low-level effects of MeHg on neuro-logic outcomes may differ by age, sex, and timing of exposure. No clear pattern has been observed for cardio-vascular disease (CVD) risk across populations or for specific CVD end points. For the few studies evaluating immunologic effects associated with MeHg, results have been inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS Studies targeted at identifying potential mechanisms of low-level MeHg effects and characterizing individual susceptibility, sexual dimorphism, and non-linearity in dose response would help guide future prevention, policy, and regulatory efforts surrounding MeHg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret R Karagas
- Section of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA.
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Liu P, He K, Li Y, Wu Q, Yang P, Wang D. Exposure to mercury causes formation of male-specific structural deficits by inducing oxidative damage in nematodes. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2012; 79:90-100. [PMID: 22209111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2010] [Revised: 12/09/2011] [Accepted: 12/10/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Metal exposure causes reproductive damage in hermaphrodite nematodes, but effects of metals on male development are unclear. We here investigated the effects of mercury chloride exposure on development of males. Hg exposure severely increased the percentage of abnormal males, disrupted the development of male-specific structures, and caused high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in male tails. Pre-treatment with antioxidant (vitamin E) protected the nematodes against toxicity from Hg exposure on development of male-specific structures. The ROS production in tails was closely correlated with formation of abnormal male-specific structures in males induced by Hg exposure. Moreover, mutations of clk-1, encoding ortholog of COQ7/CAT5, and daf-2, encoding an insulin/IGF receptor, functioned in two different pathways to suppress the formation of deficits in development of male-specific structures. Thus, three different lines of evidence support our conclusion that HgCl(2) causes male structure-specific teratogenesis via production of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peidang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Kewen He
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yinxia Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qiuli Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Peng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Mazzaron Barcelos GR, de Marco KC, Grotto D, Valentini J, Garcia SC, Leite Braga GÚ, Barbosa F. Evaluation of glutathione S-transferase GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and methylmercury metabolism in an exposed Amazon population. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2012; 75:960-970. [PMID: 22852846 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2012.695232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decades, the presence of methylmercury (MeHg) in the Amazon region of Brazil and its adverse human health effects have given rise to much concern. The biotransformation of MeHg occurs mainly through glutathione (GSH) in the bile mediated by conjugation with glutathione S-transferases (GST). Epidemiological evidence has shown that genetic polymorphisms may affect the metabolism of MeHg. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between GST polymorphisms, GSH, and Hg levels in blood (B-Hg) and in hair (H-Hg) of an Amazon population chronically exposed to the metal through fish consumption. Blood and hair samples were collected from 144 volunteers (71 men, 73 women). B-Hg and H-Hg levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and GSH levels were evaluated by a spectrophotometric method. GSTM1 and T1 genotyping evaluation were carried out by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Mean levels of B-Hg and H-Hg were 37.7 ± 24.5 μg/L and 10.4 ± 7.4 μg/g, respectively; GSH concentrations ranged from 0.52 to 2.89 μM/ml of total blood. Distributions for GSTM1/T1, GSTM1/GSTT1*0, GSTM1*0/T1, and GSTM1*0/GSTT1*0 genotypes were 35.4, 22.2, 25.0, and 17.4%, respectively. GSTT1 genotype carriers presented lower levels of B-Hg and H-Hg when compared to other genotypes carriers. In addition, GSTM1*0/GSTT1*0 individuals presented higher Hg levels in blood and hair than subjects presenting any other genotypes. There appeared to be no evidence of an effect of polymorphisms on GSH levels. Therefore, our data suggest that GST polymorphisms may be associated with MeHg detoxification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron Barcelos
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analyses, School of Phamaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Koedrith P, Seo YR. Advances in carcinogenic metal toxicity and potential molecular markers. Int J Mol Sci 2011; 12:9576-95. [PMID: 22272150 PMCID: PMC3257147 DOI: 10.3390/ijms12129576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2011] [Revised: 10/28/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Metal compounds such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury, and nickel are classified as carcinogens affecting human health through occupational and environmental exposure. However, the underlying mechanisms involved in tumor formation are not well clarified. Interference of metal homeostasis may result in oxidative stress which represents an imbalance between production of free radicals and the system's ability to readily detoxify reactive intermediates. This event consequently causes DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, protein modification, and possibly symptomatic effects for various diseases including cancer. This review discusses predominant modes of action and numerous molecular markers. Attention is paid to metal-induced generation of free radicals, the phenomenon of oxidative stress, damage to DNA, lipid, and proteins, responsive signal transduction pathways with major roles in cell growth and development, and roles of antioxidant enzymatic and DNA repair systems. Interaction of non-enzymatic antioxidants (carotenoids, flavonoids, glutathione, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and others) with cellular oxidative stress markers (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) as well as certain regulatory factors, including AP-1, NF-κB, Ref-1, and p53 is also reviewed. Dysregulation of protective pathways, including cellular antioxidant network against free radicals as well as DNA repair deficiency is related to oncogenic stimulation. These observations provide evidence that emerging oxidative stress-responsive regulatory factors and DNA repair proteins are putative predictive factors for tumor initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeyaporn Koedrith
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University, 30 Pildong-ro 1-gil (26 Pildong 3-ga), Jung-gu, Seoul 100-715, Korea; E-Mail:
- Institute of Environmental Medicine for Green Chemistry, Dongguk University, 30 Pildong-ro 1-gil (26 Pildong 3-ga), Jung-gu, Seoul 100-715, Korea
| | - Young Rok Seo
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University, 30 Pildong-ro 1-gil (26 Pildong 3-ga), Jung-gu, Seoul 100-715, Korea; E-Mail:
- Institute of Environmental Medicine for Green Chemistry, Dongguk University, 30 Pildong-ro 1-gil (26 Pildong 3-ga), Jung-gu, Seoul 100-715, Korea
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +82-2-2260-3321; Fax: +82-2-2760-0674
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Grotto D, Valentini J, Serpeloni JM, Monteiro PAP, Latorraca EF, de Oliveira RS, Antunes LMG, Garcia SC, Barbosa F. Evaluation of toxic effects of a diet containing fish contaminated with methylmercury in rats mimicking the exposure in the Amazon riverside population. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2011; 111:1074-1082. [PMID: 22000760 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2011.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2011] [Revised: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a diet rich in fish contaminated with MeHg, mimicking the typical diet of the Amazon riverside population, in rats. Animals were randomly assigned to one of three groups with eight rats in each group: Group I-control, received commercial ration; Group II-received a diet rich in uncontaminated fish; Group III-received a diet rich in fish contaminated with MeHg. Treatment time was 12 weeks. Oxidative stress markers were evaluated, as well as the effects of this diet on DNA stability, systolic blood pressure (SBP), nitric oxide (NO) levels and histological damage in different tissues. There was a significant increase in SBP values in rats fed with MeHg-contaminated fish diet after the 10th week of the treatment. As far as oxidative stress biomarkers are concerned, no differences were observed in reduced glutathione and protein carbonyl levels, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase or δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activities between the groups of animals receiving contaminated and uncontaminated fish diets. On the other hand, malondialdehyde levels increased significantly in rats fed with contaminated fish. NO levels were similar in all groups. DNA migration showed augmented in rats exposed to contaminated fish and histopathological analyses showed weak but significant leukocyte infiltration. Thus, we conclude that the MeHg-contaminated fish diet induced a slight lipid peroxidation and genotoxicity. However, these effects seem to be much less pronounced than when rats are exposed to aqueous solution containing CH3HgCl. Our findings support the contention that the chemical form of MeHg in fish or fish nutrients such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, Se or vitamin E could minimize the toxic effects of MeHg exposure in fish-eating communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Grotto
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Kaur P, Aschner M, Syversen T. Biochemical factors modulating cellular neurotoxicity of methylmercury. J Toxicol 2011; 2011:721987. [PMID: 21941541 PMCID: PMC3177097 DOI: 10.1155/2011/721987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2011] [Revised: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 07/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg), an environmental toxicant primarily found in fish and seafood, poses a dilemma to both consumers and regulatory authorities, given the nutritional benefits of fish consumption versus the possible adverse neurological damage. Several studies have shown that MeHg toxicity is influenced by a number of biochemical factors, such as glutathione (GSH), fatty acids, vitamins, and essential elements, but the cellular mechanisms underlying these complex interactions have not yet been fully elucidated. The objective of this paper is to outline the cellular response to dietary nutrients, as well as to describe the neurotoxic exposures to MeHg. In order to determine the cellular mechanism(s) of toxicity, the effect of pretreatment with biochemical factors (e.g., N-acetyl cysteine, (NAC); diethyl maleate, (DEM); docosahexaenoic acid, (DHA); selenomethionine, SeM; Trolox) and MeHg treatment on intercellular antioxidant status, MeHg content, and other endpoints was evaluated. This paper emphasizes that the protection against oxidative stress offered by these biochemical factors is among one of the major mechanisms responsible for conferring neuroprotection. It is therefore critical to ascertain the cellular mechanisms associated with various dietary nutrients as well as to determine the potential effects of neurotoxic exposures for accurately assessing the risks and benefits associated with fish consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvinder Kaur
- Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7489 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Michael Aschner
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology and The Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, B-3307 Medical Center North, 1162 21st Avenue, Nashville, TN 37232-2495, USA
| | - Tore Syversen
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Olav Kyrres Gate 3, 7489 Trondheim, Norway
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Wu Q, He K, Liu P, Li Y, Wang D. Association of oxidative stress with the formation of reproductive toxicity from mercury exposure on hermaphrodite nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2011; 32:175-184. [PMID: 21843797 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2011.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2011] [Revised: 04/10/2011] [Accepted: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Here we selected HgCl(2) to investigate the mechanism of Hg toxicity on reproduction in hermaphrodite nematodes. Accompanied with decrease of brood size, Hg exposure caused severe deficits in egg number in uterus, egg laying and reproductive structures, including gonad arms and vulva, and formation of protruding phenotype for vulva. Meanwhile, Hg exposure induced severe stress response and oxidative damage in gonad and vulva. Pre-treatment with vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, at the L2-larval stage prevented the oxidative damage and formation of reproductive deficits in Hg exposed nematodes; however, pre-treatment with paraquat, a regent generating superoxide anions, induced more severe reproductive deficits in Hg exposed nematodes. Moreover, Hg exposure increased expression of clk-2 and isp-1 genes, whose mutations decrease ROS production, and decreased expression of mev-1 and gas-1 genes, whose mutations increase ROS production. Thus, oxidative stress may be essential for the induction of reproductive deficits in Hg exposed hermaphrodite nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuli Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
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48
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Grotto D, Vicentini J, Angeli JPF, Latorraca EF, Monteiro PAP, Barcelos GRM, Somacal S, Emanuelli T, Barbosa F. Evaluation of protective effects of fish oil against oxidative damage in rats exposed to methylmercury. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2011; 74:487-493. [PMID: 20970192 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2010.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2010] [Revised: 09/23/2010] [Accepted: 10/02/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The present study evaluates a possible protective effect of fish oil against oxidative damage promoted by methylmercury (MeHg) in sub-chronically exposed rats. Reduced glutathione peroxidase and catalase enzyme activity and reduced glutathione levels were observed in MeHg-exposed animals compared to controls. Methylmercury exposure was also associated with DNA damage. Administration of fish oil to the methylmercury-exposed animals did not ameliorate enzyme activity or glutathione levels. On the other hand, a significant DNA protective effect (about 30%) was observed with fish oil treatment. There were no differences in the total mercury concentration in rat liver, kidney, heart or brain after MeHg administration with or without fish oil co-administration. Histopathological analyses showed a significant leukocyte infiltration in rat tissues after MeHg exposure, but this effect was significantly reduced after co-administration of fish oil. Taken together, our findings demonstrate oxidative damage even after low-level MeHg exposure and the protective effect of fish oil. This protection seems not to be related to antioxidant defenses or mercury re-distribution in rat tissues. It is probably due to the anti-inflammatory effects of fish oil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Grotto
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas. Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, CEP.: 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Crespo-López ME, Macêdo GL, Arrifano GPF, Pinheiro MDCN, do Nascimento JLM, Herculano AM. Genotoxicity of mercury: contributing for the analysis of Amazonian populations. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2011; 37:136-141. [PMID: 20825993 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2010.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2010] [Revised: 08/11/2010] [Accepted: 08/12/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is an important source of environmental contamination affecting human beings throughout the world and especially in the Amazon. Riverside populations have been chronically exposed to relatively high levels of methylmercury for many years. Long-term effects of mercury exposure are not well known, but human genotoxicity was already showed in both in vitro and epidemiological studies. However, to date, only two studies were carried out in Amazonian populations with conflicting results and without comparing to a non-exposed population. Aiming to highlight this question and avoid interference factors, this work analyzed in vitro genotoxicity of mercury in blood lymphocytes of Amazonian individuals by two methods (micronucleus and chromosomal aberrations). Deleterious effects of low levels (1-500 μg/l or 0,004-2 μM) of methylmercury were only detected with the method to detect chromosomal aberrations. Mitotic index (proportion of cells in metaphase) was the parameter most sensible. Thus, this technique was applied for the analysis of an Amazonian non-exposed population (Panacauera) with similar social-economical characteristics of the exposed populations studied elsewhere. The mean of the mitotic index for Panacauera population was 0.0814 ± 0.0097. Inter-individual variability of this index had no relation with sex or age. This value was above those registered for some groups of exposed populations. This fact points to mercury as the main responsible for inhibiting the cell cycle and/or the loss of proliferative capacity of the cells. These results already support mitotic index as an essential parameter for the early diagnose of mercury genotoxicity in humans, and especially in Amazonian populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Crespo-López
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Belém, Brazil.
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Lee BE, Hong YC, Park H, Ha M, Koo BS, Chang N, Roh YM, Kim BN, Kim YJ, Kim BM, Jo SJ, Ha EH. Interaction between GSTM1/GSTT1 polymorphism and blood mercury on birth weight. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2010; 118:437-43. [PMID: 20194072 PMCID: PMC2854776 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.0900731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2009] [Accepted: 10/23/2009] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mercury (Hg) is toxic to both the reproductive and nervous systems. In addition, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), which conjugate glutathione to a variety of electrophilic compounds, are involved in the detoxification of Hg. OBJECTIVE In this study we examined the association between prenatal exposure to Hg and birth weight as well as the influence of GST polymorphisms. METHODS The total Hg concentration in maternal and cord blood was measured from 417 Korean women and newborns in the Mothers and Children's Environmental Health study from 2006 to 2008. Information on birth weight was collected from the patients' medical records. The genotyping of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) polymorphisms was carried out using polymerase chain reaction. Regression analysis was performed to determine the association between the blood Hg concentration and birth weight in mothers with GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms. RESULTS The geometric mean levels of Hg in the maternal blood during late pregnancy and in cord blood were 3.30 microg/L and 5.53 microg/L, respectively. For mothers with the GSTT1 null genotype, elevated Hg levels in maternal blood during late pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of lower birth weight. For mothers with both GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype, both maternal and cord blood Hg levels were associated with lower birth weight. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the interactions of Hg with GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms play a role in reducing birth weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Eun Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Woman’s University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyesook Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Woman’s University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mina Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Bon Sang Koo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Namsoo Chang
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Woman’s University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Man Roh
- Institute of Environmental and Industrial Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Boong-Nyun Kim
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Human Behavioral Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Ju Kim
- Department of Obstetrics Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Woman’s University
| | - Byung-Mi Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Woman’s University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seong-Joon Jo
- Ministry of Environment, Division of Environmental Health Policy, Gwacheon, Korea
| | - Eun-Hee Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Woman’s University, Seoul, Korea
- Address correspondence to E. Ha, 911-1 Mok-6-dong, Yangcheon-ku, Seoul, Korea. Telephone: 82-2-2650-5757. Fax: 82-2-2653-1086. E-mail:
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