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Dack K, Bustamante M, Taylor CM, Llop S, Lozano M, Yousefi P, Gražulevičienė R, Gutzkow KB, Brantsæter AL, Mason D, Escaramís G, Lewis SJ. Genome-Wide Association Study of Blood Mercury in European Pregnant Women and Children. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2123. [PMID: 38136945 PMCID: PMC10742428 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122123] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury has high industrial utility and is present in many products, and environmental contamination and occupational exposure are widespread. There are numerous biological systems involved in the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of Hg, and it is possible that some systems may be impacted by genetic variation. If so, genotype may affect tissue concentrations of Hg and subsequent toxic effects. Genome-wide association testing was performed on blood Hg samples from pregnant women of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (n = 2893) and children of the Human Early Life Exposome (n = 1042). Directly-genotyped single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were imputed to the Haplotype Reference Consortium r1.1 panel of whole genotypes and modelled againstlog-transformed Hg. Heritability was estimated using linkage disequilibrium score regression. The heritability of Hg was estimated as 24.0% (95% CI: 16.9% to 46.4%) in pregnant women, but could not be determined in children. There were 16 SNPs associated with Hg in pregnant women above a suggestive p-value threshold (p < 1 × 10-5), and 21 for children. However, no SNP passed this threshold in both studies, and none were genome-wide significant (p < 5 × 10-8). SNP-Hg associations were highly discordant between women and children, and this may reflect differences in metabolism, a gene-age interaction, or dose-response effects. Several suggestive variants had plausible links to Hg metabolism, such as rs146099921 in metal transporter SLC39A14, and two variants (rs28618224, rs7154700) in potassium voltage-gated channel genes. The findings would benefit from external validation, as suggestive results may contain both true associations and false positives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Dack
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK; (K.D.)
| | - Mariona Bustamante
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08018 Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain (G.E.)
| | - Caroline M. Taylor
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK;
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain (G.E.)
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO- Universitat Jaume I - Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Lozano
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO- Universitat Jaume I - Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Preventative Medicine, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Paul Yousefi
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK; (K.D.)
| | - Regina Gražulevičienė
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, 53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Kristine Bjerve Gutzkow
- Department of Air Quality and Noise, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 222 Skoyen, NO-0213 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Anne Lise Brantsæter
- Department of Food Safety, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 222 Skoyen, NO-0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Dan Mason
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Duckworth Lane, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - Georgia Escaramís
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain (G.E.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sarah J. Lewis
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK; (K.D.)
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK
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2
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Soler-Blasco R, Llop S, Riutort-Mayol G, Lozano M, Vallejo-Ortega J, Murcia M, Ballester F, Irizar A, Andiarena A, Fernandez-Jimenez N, Braeuer S, Harari F. Genetic Susceptibility to Neurotoxicity Related to Prenatal Inorganic Arsenic Exposure in Young Spanish Children. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15366-15378. [PMID: 37787746 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
We explored the influence of child and maternal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to neurological function and arsenic metabolism (i.e., ABCA1, ABCB1, PON1, CYP3A, BDNF, GSTP1, MT2A, and APOE as well as AS3MT) on the association between prenatal arsenic (As) exposure and methylation efficiency and neuropsychological development in 4-5-year-old children. Participants were 549 mother-child pairs from the INMA (Environment and Childhood) Spanish Project. We measured inorganic arsenic (iAs) and the metabolites monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in urine samples collected during pregnancy. Neuropsychological development was assessed at the age of 4-5 years using the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA). Several SNPs were determined in maternal and child DNA; AS3MT and APOE haplotypes were inferred. The median ∑As (sum of iAs, DMA, and MMA) was 7.08 μg/g creatinine. Statistically significant interactions for children's APOE haplotype were observed. Specifically, ε4-carrier children had consistently lower MSCA scores in several scales with increasing ∑As and MMA concentrations. These results provide evidence regarding the neurotoxic effects of early life exposure to As, observing that the APOE ε4 allele could make children more vulnerable to this exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Soler-Blasco
- Department of Nursing, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gabriel Riutort-Mayol
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Lozano
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jorge Vallejo-Ortega
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Mario Murcia
- Health Policy Planning and Evaluation Service, Conselleria de Sanitat Universal i Salut Pública, Generalitat Valenciana, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ferran Ballester
- Department of Nursing, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Amaia Irizar
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health of the University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Ainara Andiarena
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain
- Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Nora Fernandez-Jimenez
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute and University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48903 Leioa, Spain
| | - Simone Braeuer
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 38, Vienna 1090, Austria
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Florencia Harari
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
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3
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Palir N, Stajnko A, Snoj Tratnik J, Mazej D, Briški AS, France-Štiglic A, Rosolen V, Mariuz M, Giordani E, Barbone F, Horvat M, Falnoga I. ALAD and APOE polymorphisms are associated with lead and mercury levels in Italian pregnant women and their newborns with adequate nutritional status of zinc and selenium. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 220:115226. [PMID: 36621546 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The impacts of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ALAD and VDR genes on Pb health effects and/or kinetics are inconclusive at low exposure levels, while studies including APOE SNPs are rare. In this study, we examined the associations of ALAD, VDR and APOE SNPs with exposure biomarkers of Pb and other trace elements (TEs) in Italian pregnant women (N = 873, aged 18-44 years) and their newborns (N = 619) with low-level mixed-element exposure through diet, the environment or endogenously. DNA from maternal peripheral venous blood (mB), sampled during the second and third trimesters, was genotyped for ALAD (rs1800435, rs1805313, rs1139488, rs818708), VDR (rs2228570, rs1544410, rs7975232, rs731236) and APOE (rs429358, rs7421) using TaqMan SNP assays. Personal and lifestyle data and TE levels (mB, maternal plasma, hair and mixed umbilical cord blood [CB]) from the PHIME project were used. Multiple linear regression models, controlling for confounding variables, were performed to test the associations between SNPs and TEs. The geometric means of mB-Pb, mB-Hg, mB-As and mB-Cd (11.0 ng/g, 2.16 ng/g, 1.38 ng/g and 0.31 ng/g, respectively) indicated low exposure levels, whereas maternal plasma Zn and Se (0.72 μg/mL and 78.6 ng/g, respectively) indicated adequate micronutritional status. Variant alleles of ALAD rs1800435 and rs1805313 were negatively associated with mB-Pb levels, whereas a positive association was observed for rs1139488. None of the VDR SNPs or their haplotypes had any association with Pb levels. Regarding APOE, the ϵ4 allele was associated with lower mB-Hg and CB-Hg, while a positive association was found with the ϵ2 allele and CB-Pb when the model included only newborn girls. The observed associations indicate possible modification effects of ALAD and APOE SNPs on Pb or Hg kinetics in women and their newborns with low exposure to non-essential TEs, as well as an adequate nutritional status of Zn and Se.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neža Palir
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anja Stajnko
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Mazej
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Sešek Briški
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka France-Štiglic
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Valentina Rosolen
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marika Mariuz
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Elisa Giordani
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Fabio Barbone
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ingrid Falnoga
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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4
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Azevedo LF, Karpova N, Rocha BA, Barbosa Junior F, Gobe GC, Hornos Carneiro MF. Evidence on Neurotoxicity after Intrauterine and Childhood Exposure to Organomercurials. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1070. [PMID: 36673825 PMCID: PMC9858833 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Although the molecular mechanisms underlying methylmercury toxicity are not entirely understood, the observed neurotoxicity in early-life is attributed to the covalent binding of methylmercury to sulfhydryl (thiol) groups of proteins and other molecules being able to affect protein post-translational modifications from numerous molecular pathways, such as glutamate signaling, heat-shock chaperones and the antioxidant glutaredoxin/glutathione system. However, for other organomercurials such as ethylmercury or thimerosal, there is not much information available. Therefore, this review critically discusses current knowledge about organomercurials neurotoxicity-both methylmercury and ethylmercury-following intrauterine and childhood exposure, as well as the prospects and future needs for research in this area. Contrasting with the amount of epidemiological evidence available for methylmercury, there are only a few in vivo studies reporting neurotoxic outcomes and mechanisms of toxicity for ethylmercury or thimerosal. There is also a lack of studies on mechanistic approaches to better investigate the pathways involved in the potential neurotoxicity caused by both organomercurials. More impactful follow-up studies, especially following intrauterine and childhood exposure to ethylmercury, are necessary. Childhood vaccination is critically important for controlling infectious diseases; however, the safety of mercury-containing thimerosal and, notably, its effectiveness as preservative in vaccines are still under debate regarding its potential dose-response effects to the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Ferreira Azevedo
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Nina Karpova
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno Alves Rocha
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando Barbosa Junior
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Glenda Carolyn Gobe
- Kidney Disease Research Group, School of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Maria Fernanda Hornos Carneiro
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
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Berntsson E, Sardis M, Noormägi A, Jarvet J, Roos PM, Tõugu V, Gräslund A, Palumaa P, Wärmländer SKTS. Mercury Ion Binding to Apolipoprotein E Variants ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4: Similar Binding Affinities but Different Structure Induction Effects. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:28924-28931. [PMID: 36033665 PMCID: PMC9404194 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c02254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mercury intoxication typically produces more severe outcomes in people with the APOE-ε4 gene, which codes for the ApoE4 variant of apolipoprotein E, compared to individuals with the APOE-ε2 and APOE-ε3 genes. Why the APOE-ε4 allele is a risk factor in mercury exposure remains unknown. One proposed possibility is that the ApoE protein could be involved in clearing of heavy metals, where the ApoE4 protein might perform this task worse than the ApoE2 and ApoE3 variants. Here, we used fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopies to characterize the in vitro interactions of the three different ApoE variants with Hg(I) and Hg(II) ions. Hg(I) ions displayed weak binding to all ApoE variants and induced virtually no structural changes. Thus, Hg(I) ions appear to have no biologically relevant interactions with the ApoE protein. Hg(II) ions displayed stronger and very similar binding affinities for all three ApoE isoforms, with K D values of 4.6 μM for ApoE2, 4.9 μM for ApoE3, and 4.3 μM for ApoE4. Binding of Hg(II) ions also induced changes in ApoE superhelicity, that is, altered coil-coil interactions, which might modify the protein function. As these structural changes were most pronounced in the ApoE4 protein, they could be related to the APOE-ε4 gene being a risk factor in mercury toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Berntsson
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Merlin Sardis
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Andra Noormägi
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Jüri Jarvet
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- The
National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
- CellPept
Sweden AB, Kvarngatan
10B, 118 47 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per M. Roos
- Institute
of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department
of Clinical Physiology, Capio Saint Göran
Hospital, 112 19 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vello Tõugu
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- CellPept
Sweden AB, Kvarngatan
10B, 118 47 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peep Palumaa
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Sebastian K. T. S. Wärmländer
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- CellPept
Sweden AB, Kvarngatan
10B, 118 47 Stockholm, Sweden
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Morton SU, Leyshon BJ, Tamilia E, Vyas R, Sisitsky M, Ladha I, Lasekan JB, Kuchan MJ, Grant PE, Ou Y. A Role for Data Science in Precision Nutrition and Early Brain Development. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:892259. [PMID: 35815018 PMCID: PMC9259898 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.892259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multimodal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide biomarkers of early influences on neurodevelopment such as nutrition, environmental and genetic factors. As the exposure to early influences can be separated from neurodevelopmental outcomes by many months or years, MRI markers can serve as an important intermediate outcome in multivariate analyses of neurodevelopmental determinants. Key to the success of such work are recent advances in data science as well as the growth of relevant data resources. Multimodal MRI assessment of neurodevelopment can be supplemented with other biomarkers of neurodevelopment such as electroencephalograms, magnetoencephalogram, and non-imaging biomarkers. This review focuses on how maternal nutrition impacts infant brain development, with three purposes: (1) to summarize the current knowledge about how nutrition in stages of pregnancy and breastfeeding impact infant brain development; (2) to discuss multimodal MRI and other measures of early neurodevelopment; and (3) to discuss potential opportunities for data science and artificial intelligence to advance precision nutrition. We hope this review can facilitate the collaborative march toward precision nutrition during pregnancy and the first year of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah U Morton
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Eleonora Tamilia
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rutvi Vyas
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michaela Sisitsky
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Imran Ladha
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | | | - P Ellen Grant
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yangming Ou
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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Methylmercury and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Mediterranean Seafood: A Molecular Anthropological Perspective. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app112311179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Eating seafood has numerous health benefits; however, it constitutes one of the main sources of exposure to several harmful environmental pollutants, both of anthropogenic and natural origin. Among these, methylmercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons give rise to concerns related to their possible effects on human biology. In the present review, we summarize the results of epidemiological investigations on the genetic component of individual susceptibility to methylmercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure in humans, and on the effects that these two pollutants have on human epigenetic profiles (DNA methylation). Then, we provide evidence that Mediterranean coastal communities represent an informative case study to investigate the potential impact of methylmercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the human genome and epigenome, since they are characterized by a traditionally high local seafood consumption, and given the characteristics that render the Mediterranean Sea particularly polluted. Finally, we discuss the challenges of a molecular anthropological approach to this topic.
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8
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Moser VA, Workman MJ, Hurwitz SJ, Lipman RM, Pike CJ, Svendsen CN. Microglial transcription profiles in mouse and human are driven by APOE4 and sex. iScience 2021; 24:103238. [PMID: 34746703 PMCID: PMC8551075 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) is the strongest genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). APOE4 is known to affect the function of microglia, but to what extent this gene drives microglial gene expression has thus far not been examined. Using a transgenic mouse model of AD that expresses human APOE, we identify a unique transcriptional profile associated with APOE4 expression. We also show a sex and APOE interaction, such that both female sex and APOE4 drive expression of this gene profile. We confirm these findings in human cells, using microglia derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iMGL). Moreover, we find that these interactions are driven in part by genes related to metal processing, and we show that zinc treatment has APOE genotype-dependent effects on iMGL. These data identify a sex- and APOE4-associated microglial transcription profile and highlight the importance of considering interactive risk factors such as sex and environmental exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Alexandra Moser
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael J. Workman
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Samantha J. Hurwitz
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rachel M. Lipman
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christian J. Pike
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Clive N. Svendsen
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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9
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Saavedra S, Fernández-Recamales Á, Sayago A, Cervera-Barajas A, González-Domínguez R, Gonzalez-Sanz JD. Impact of dietary mercury intake during pregnancy on the health of neonates and children: a systematic review. Nutr Rev 2021; 80:317-328. [PMID: 33954792 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Growing evidence suggests that prenatal exposure to methyl mercury through the maternal diet could have great influence on the neurological and physical development of neonates and young children. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to evaluate the clinical repercussions of maternal exposure to methyl mercury during pregnancy on the health of fetuses, neonates, and children up to 8 years of age. DATA SOURCES The Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Dialnet Plus databases were searched for articles published in English or Spanish from 1990 to 2020. STUDY SELECTION Original articles published in English or Spanish from 1990 to 2020 were eligible for inclusion. All study designs were eligible. Animal studies were excluded. Two authors independently screened studies for inclusion. From the 971 records initially identified, 19 studies were included in the systematic review. DATA EXTRACTION PRISMA guidelines were followed. Outcomes extracted included maternal dietary exposure to methyl mercury during pregnancy, possible health repercussions in offspring up to 8 years of age, and quantitative measurement of mercury in a biological sample. All studies met the requirements established for assessing both study quality and risk of bias. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to mercury was consistently associated with lower birth weight, but only one study reported a negative association with length at birth. Higher mercury levels were also related to lower scores in various neuropsychological and developmental tests. CONCLUSION The literature shows clear evidence of the adverse effects of maternal methyl mercury exposure on anthropometric variables and cognitive or physical development in children. It is noteworthy, however, that mercury toxicity may sometimes be mitigated by other essential nutrients in the maternal diet, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Saavedra
- S. Saavedra and J.D. Gonzalez-Sanz are with the Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. Á. Fernández-Recamales, A. Sayago, and R. González-Domínguez are with the AgriFood Laboratory, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain; and the Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. A. Cervera-Barajas is with the Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Ángeles Fernández-Recamales
- S. Saavedra and J.D. Gonzalez-Sanz are with the Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. Á. Fernández-Recamales, A. Sayago, and R. González-Domínguez are with the AgriFood Laboratory, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain; and the Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. A. Cervera-Barajas is with the Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Ana Sayago
- S. Saavedra and J.D. Gonzalez-Sanz are with the Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. Á. Fernández-Recamales, A. Sayago, and R. González-Domínguez are with the AgriFood Laboratory, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain; and the Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. A. Cervera-Barajas is with the Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Cervera-Barajas
- S. Saavedra and J.D. Gonzalez-Sanz are with the Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. Á. Fernández-Recamales, A. Sayago, and R. González-Domínguez are with the AgriFood Laboratory, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain; and the Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. A. Cervera-Barajas is with the Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Raúl González-Domínguez
- S. Saavedra and J.D. Gonzalez-Sanz are with the Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. Á. Fernández-Recamales, A. Sayago, and R. González-Domínguez are with the AgriFood Laboratory, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain; and the Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. A. Cervera-Barajas is with the Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Juan D Gonzalez-Sanz
- S. Saavedra and J.D. Gonzalez-Sanz are with the Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. Á. Fernández-Recamales, A. Sayago, and R. González-Domínguez are with the AgriFood Laboratory, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain; and the Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. A. Cervera-Barajas is with the Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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10
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Hu Q, Han X, Dong G, Yan W, Wang X, Bigambo FM, Fang K, Xia Y, Chen T, Wang X. Association between mercury exposure and thyroid hormones levels: A meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 196:110928. [PMID: 33640496 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between mercury (Hg) exposure and thyroid hormones (THs) levels in the general population has been inconclusive. We conducted a random effects model meta-analysis to identify the association between Hg exposure and THs levels in the general population. METHODS This meta-analysis were performed based on the PECO questions (P = general population; E =1ug/L Hg in blood and urine; C =1ug/L incremental increase on; and O = variation of THs levels). We searched four electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies published on or before 20th July 2020. Prospective and cross-sectional studies that evaluated the association between Hg exposure and the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) were included. We also assessed aggregate risks for the reliability of the included studies. RESULTS Initially, we retrieved 4889 articles. 18 studies met our inclusion criteria after screening and 13 articles were eligible to be included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis results suggest that blood Hg may be significantly associated with THs levels. The presence of Hg in blood may significantly increase the levels of TSH (β=0.55; 95%CI: 0.20,0.90; p < 0.001) and FT4 (β=0.47; 95%CI: 0.11,0.82; p < 0.001), with the opposite association in T4 (β=-0.02; 95%CI: 0.02, -0.01; p < 0.001). For the subgroup analysis, blood Hg was positively correlated with TSH levels in children and adolescents (β=0.62; 95%CI: 0.09, 1.15; p < 0.001) and FT4 levels in pregnant women (β=1.00; 95%CI: 0.99, 1.00; p < 0.001) respectively. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis indicates that exposure to Hg in blood could significantly corrrelate with the levels of TSH, T4, and FT4 in the general population. Therefore, it is crucial to control the use of Hg and strengthen protection of the thyroid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiumei Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Guangzhu Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Wu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Children's hospital of Nanjing medical university, Nanjing, China
| | - Francis Manyori Bigambo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Kacey Fang
- Department of Cognitive Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China.
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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11
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Trdin A, Snoj Tratnik J, Stajnko A, Marc J, Mazej D, Sešek Briški A, Kastelec D, Prpić I, Petrović O, Špirić Z, Horvat M, Falnoga I. Trace elements and APOE polymorphisms in pregnant women and their new-borns. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 143:105626. [PMID: 32622117 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the relationship between lipid binding glycoprotein apolipoprotein E (apoE; gene APOE) polymorphisms (ε4 allele carriers versus no carriers = ε4+/ε4-) and trace elements (TEs) (e.g., (methyl)mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, selenium, manganese, copper, and zinc) in mothers (N = 223) and their new-borns (N = 213) exposed to potentially toxic metal(loid)s from seafood consumption. The apoE isoform encoded by the ε4 allele is believed to have beneficial effects in early life but represents a risk factor for age-associated diseases. Under certain conditions ε4 carriers are more susceptible to oxidative stress and metal(loid) toxicity. DNA from Croatian pregnant women (N = 223, third trimester) and their new-borns (N = 176), was genotyped for APOE by TaqMan® SNP assay - rs429358 and rs7412. Seafood intake data and TE levels in maternal urine, milk, hair, peripheral venous blood, mixed cord blood, and new-borns' urine were available from previous studies. We compared TEs between ε4+ and ε4- carriers using Mann-Whitney U tests and applied multiple linear regression models to analyse the TE's dependence on the presence of allele ε4 (genotypes ε3/ε4, ε4/ε4) in combination with other explanatory variables. We identified 17% (n = 37) and 20% (n = 35) ε4 allele carriers in mothers and new-borns, respectively. The Mann-Whitney U test showed that mothers with the ε4 allele had significantly higher mean levels of (methyl)mercury in peripheral venous blood, cord blood, and hair; arsenic in urine and cord blood; and selenium in peripheral venous blood and plasma. However, taking confounders into account, only the maternal plasma selenium remained statistically significant in the linear regression models (ε4 carriers vs non-carriers: 62.6 vs 54.9 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Literature suggestions of possible ε4 allele impact on Hg levels were not observed, while superior selenium status observed in healthy pregnant women carrying allele ε4 could be linked to the proposed APOE ε4 beneficial effects early in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajda Trdin
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anja Stajnko
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Marc
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Mazej
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Sešek Briški
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Igor Prpić
- Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Oleg Petrović
- Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ingrid Falnoga
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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12
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Kepka A, Ochocinska A, Borzym-Kluczyk M, Skorupa E, Stasiewicz-Jarocka B, Chojnowska S, Waszkiewicz N. Preventive Role of L-Carnitine and Balanced Diet in Alzheimer's Disease. Nutrients 2020; 12:E1987. [PMID: 32635400 PMCID: PMC7400709 DOI: 10.3390/nu12071987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevention or alleviation of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), is a challenge for contemporary health services. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the prevention or alleviation of AD by introducing an appropriate carnitine-rich diet, dietary carnitine supplements and the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet, which contains elements of the Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. L-carnitine (LC) plays a crucial role in the energetic metabolism of the cell. A properly balanced diet contains a substantial amount of LC as well as essential amino acids and microelements taking part in endogenous carnitine synthesis. In healthy people, carnitine biosynthesis is sufficient to prevent the symptoms of carnitine deficiency. In persons with dysfunction of mitochondria, e.g., with AD connected with extensive degeneration of the brain structures, there are often serious disturbances in the functioning of the whole organism. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high consumption of fruits and vegetables, cereals, nuts, olive oil, and seeds as the major source of fats, moderate consumption of fish and poultry, low to moderate consumption of dairy products and alcohol, and low intake of red and processed meat. The introduction of foodstuffs rich in carnitine and the MIND diet or carnitine supplementation of the AD patients may improve their functioning in everyday life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Kepka
- Department of Biochemistry, Radioimmunology and Experimental Medicine, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Ochocinska
- Department of Biochemistry, Radioimmunology and Experimental Medicine, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Borzym-Kluczyk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland;
| | - Ewa Skorupa
- Department of Biochemistry, Radioimmunology and Experimental Medicine, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland;
| | | | - Sylwia Chojnowska
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Lomza State University of Applied Sciences, 18-400 Lomza, Poland;
| | - Napoleon Waszkiewicz
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland;
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13
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Iacono D, Feltis GC. Impact of Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism during normal and pathological conditions of the brain across the lifespan. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 11:787-816. [PMID: 30677746 PMCID: PMC6366964 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is the cellular substrate for the integration of complex, dynamic, constant, and simultaneous interactions among endogenous and exogenous stimuli across the entire human lifespan. Numerous studies on aging-related brain diseases show that some genes identified as risk factors for some of the most common neurodegenerative diseases - such as the allele 4 of APOE gene (APOE4) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) - have a much earlier neuro-anatomical and neuro-physiological impact. The impact of APOE polymorphism appears in fact to start as early as youth and early-adult life. Intriguingly, though, those same genes associated with aging-related brain diseases seem to influence different aspects of the brain functioning much earlier actually, that is, even from the neonatal periods and earlier. The APOE4, an allele classically associated with later-life neurodegenerative disorders as AD, seems in fact to exert a series of very early effects on phenomena of neuroplasticity and synaptogenesis that begin from the earliest periods of life such as the fetal ones.We reviewed some of the findings supporting the hypothesis that APOE polymorphism is an early modifier of various neurobiological aspects across the entire human lifespan - from the in-utero to the centenarian life - during both normal and pathological conditions of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Iacono
- Neuropathology Research, Biomedical Research Institute of New Jersey (BRInj), Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927, USA.,MidAtlantic Neonatology Associates (MANA), Morristown, NJ 07960, USA.,Atlantic Neuroscience Institute, Atlantic Health System (AHS), Overlook Medical Center, Summit, NJ 07901, USA
| | - Gloria C Feltis
- Neuropathology Research, Biomedical Research Institute of New Jersey (BRInj), Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927, USA
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14
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Wallin C, Friedemann M, Sholts SB, Noormägi A, Svantesson T, Jarvet J, Roos PM, Palumaa P, Gräslund A, Wärmländer SKTS. Mercury and Alzheimer's Disease: Hg(II) Ions Display Specific Binding to the Amyloid-β Peptide and Hinder Its Fibrillization. Biomolecules 2019; 10:E44. [PMID: 31892131 PMCID: PMC7022868 DOI: 10.3390/biom10010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Brains and blood of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients have shown elevated mercury concentrations, but potential involvement of mercury exposure in AD pathogenesis has not been studied at the molecular level. The pathological hallmark of AD brains is deposition of amyloid plaques, consisting mainly of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides aggregated into amyloid fibrils. Aβ peptide fibrillization is known to be modulated by metal ions such as Cu(II) and Zn(II). Here, we study in vitro the interactions between Aβ peptides and Hg(II) ions by multiple biophysical techniques. Fluorescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) show that Hg(II) ions have a concentration-dependent inhibiting effect on Aβ fibrillization: at a 1:1 Aβ·Hg(II) ratio only non-fibrillar Aβ aggregates are formed. NMR spectroscopy shows that Hg(II) ions interact with the N-terminal region of Aβ(1-40) with a micromolar affinity, likely via a binding mode similar to that for Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions, i.e., mainly via the histidine residues His6, His13, and His14. Thus, together with Cu(II), Fe(II), Mn(II), Pb(IV), and Zn(II) ions, Hg(II) belongs to a family of metal ions that display residue-specific binding interactions with Aβ peptides and modulate their aggregation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Wallin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.W.); (T.S.); (J.J.); (A.G.)
| | - Merlin Friedemann
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia; (M.F.); (A.N.); (P.P.)
| | - Sabrina B. Sholts
- Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA;
| | - Andra Noormägi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia; (M.F.); (A.N.); (P.P.)
| | - Teodor Svantesson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.W.); (T.S.); (J.J.); (A.G.)
| | - Jüri Jarvet
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.W.); (T.S.); (J.J.); (A.G.)
- The National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Per M. Roos
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 16765 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Capio St. Göran Hospital, 11219 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peep Palumaa
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia; (M.F.); (A.N.); (P.P.)
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.W.); (T.S.); (J.J.); (A.G.)
| | - Sebastian K. T. S. Wärmländer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.W.); (T.S.); (J.J.); (A.G.)
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15
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Trdin A, Snoj Tratnik J, Mazej D, Fajon V, Krsnik M, Osredkar J, Prpić I, Špirić Z, Petrović O, Marc J, Neubauer D, Kodrič J, Kobal AB, Barbone F, Falnoga I, Horvat M. Mercury speciation in prenatal exposure in Slovenian and Croatian population - PHIME study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 177:108627. [PMID: 31421448 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, several studies have addressed the issue of prenatal exposure to methylmercury (MeHg); however, few have actually analysed MeHg blood concentrations. Our study population included mothers and their new-borns from Slovenia (central region; N = 584) and Croatia (coastal region; N = 234). We have measurements of total Hg (THg) and MeHg in maternal hair, maternal peripheral blood, and cord blood. Cord blood Hg concentrations were low to moderate (median THg = 1.84 ng/g and MeHg = 1.69 ng/g). The proportion of THg as MeHg (%MeHg) in maternal and cord blood varied between 4% and 100% (coefficient of variation, CV = 32%) and between 8% and 100% (CV = 20%), respectively. Our data shows that variability of %MeHg was higher at lower blood THg levels. Concentrations of MeHg in maternal blood and cord blood were highly correlated (Rs = 0.943), in the case of inorganic Hg correlation was significant but weaker (Rs = 0.198). MeHg levels in maternal blood and cord blood were positively associated with seafood intake, maternal age, and negatively associated with pre-pregnancy BMI. Additionally, MeHg in maternal blood was positively associated with plasma selenium levels, and cord blood MeHg was negatively associated with parity. The results of multiple linear regression models showed that speciation analysis provides more defined estimation of prenatal exposure in association modelling. Associations between Hg exposure and cognitive performance of children (assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler development) adjusted for maternal or child Apolipoprotein E genotypes showed higher model R2 and lower p-values when adjusted for MeHg compared to THg. This study demonstrates that Hg speciation improves the association between exposure and possible negative health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajda Trdin
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Mazej
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Fajon
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mladen Krsnik
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Joško Osredkar
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Prpić
- Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Oleg Petrović
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Janja Marc
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David Neubauer
- Department of Child, Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Division of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jana Kodrič
- Department of Child, Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Division of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alfred B Kobal
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Fabio Barbone
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Ingrid Falnoga
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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16
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Insights into the Potential Role of Mercury in Alzheimer's Disease. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 67:511-533. [PMID: 30877448 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01274-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), which is a non-essential element, is considered a highly toxic pollutant for biological systems even when present at trace levels. Elevated Hg exposure with the growing release of atmospheric pollutant Hg and rising accumulations of mono-methylmercury (highly neurotoxic) in seafood products have increased its toxic potential for humans. This review aims to highlight the potential relationship between Hg exposure and Alzheimer's disease (AD), based on the existing literature in the field. Recent reports have hypothesized that Hg exposure could increase the potential risk of developing AD. Also, AD is known as a complex neurological disorder with increased amounts of both extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, which may also be related to lifestyle and genetic variables. Research reports on AD and relationships between Hg and AD indicate that neurotransmitters such as serotonin, acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and glutamate are dysregulated in patients with AD. Many researchers have suggested that AD patients should be evaluated for Hg exposure and toxicity. Some authors suggest further exploration of the Hg concentrations in AD patients. Dysfunctional signaling pathways in AD and Hg exposure appear to be interlinked with some driving factors such as arachidonic acid, homocysteine, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfate, hydrogen peroxide, glucosamine glycans, glutathione, acetyl-L carnitine, melatonin, and HDL. This evidence suggests the need for a better understanding of the relationship between AD and Hg exposure, and potential mechanisms underlying the effects of Hg exposure on regional brain functions. Also, further studies evaluating brain functions are needed to explore the long-term effects of subclinical and untreated Hg toxicity on the brain function of AD patients.
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17
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McCaulley ME. Autism spectrum disorder and mercury toxicity: use of genomic and epigenetic methods to solve the etiologic puzzle. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2019. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2019-010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Dórea JG. Multiple low-level exposures: Hg interactions with co-occurring neurotoxic substances in early life. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1863:129243. [PMID: 30385391 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
All chemical forms of Hg can affect neurodevelopment; however, low levels of organic Hg (methylmercury-MeHg and ethylmercury-EtHg in Thimerosal-containing vaccines, hereafter 'TCV') exposures during early life (pregnancy and lactation) co-occur with other environmental neurotoxic substances. These neurotoxicants may act in parallel, synergistically, or antagonistically to Hg. Nevertheless, the risks of neurotoxicity associated with multiple neuro-toxicants depend on type, time, combinations of exposure, and environmental and/or genetic-associated factors. Neurological developmental disorders, delays in cognition and behavioral outcomes associated with multiple exposures (which include Hg) may show transient or lasting outcomes depending on constitutional and/or environmental factors that can interact to neutralize, aggravate or attenuate these effects; often these studies are challenging to interpret. During pregnancy and lactation, fish-MeHg exposure is frequently confounded with the opposing effects of neuroactive nutrients (in fish) that lead to positive, negative, or no effects on neurobehavioral tests. In infancy, exposures to acute binary mixtures (TCV- EtHg and Al-adjuvants in infant immunizations) are associated with increased risks of tics and other developmental disorders. Despite the certitude that promulgates single environmental neurotoxicants, empirical comparisons of combined exposures indicate that Hg-related outcome is uneven. Hg in combination with other neurotoxic mixtures may elevate risks of neurotoxicity, but these risks arise in circumstances that are not yet predictable. Therefore, to achieve the goals of the Minamata treaty and to safeguard the health of children, low levels of mercury exposure (in any chemical form) needs to be further reduced whether the source is environmental (air- and food-borne) or iatrogenic (pediatric TCVs).
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Affiliation(s)
- José G Dórea
- Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70919-970, DF, Brazil..
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Weissberger GH, Nation DA, Nguyen CP, Bondi MW, Han SD. Meta-analysis of cognitive ability differences by apolipoprotein e genotype in young humans. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 94:49-58. [PMID: 30125600 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The apolipoprotein (APOE) ε4 allele has been proposed as an example of an antagonistic pleiotropy gene, conferring a beneficial effect on cognition in early life and a detrimental impact on cognition during later years. However, findings on the cognitive associations of the ε4 allele in younger persons are mixed. This PRISMA conforming study aimed to investigate APOE genotype (e4/non-e4) associations across seven cognitive domains (intelligence/achievement, attention/working memory, executive functioning, memory, language, processing speed and visuospatial abilities) in younger humans using a meta-analytic approach. Of 689 records reviewed, 29 studies (34 data-points) were selected for the quantitative synthesis. Participants' ages ranged from 2-40. Results showed that young ε4 carriers did not statistically differ from non-ε4 carriers across any cognitive domains. Overall, findings do not provide compelling support for an antagonistic pleiotropic effect of the ε4 allele across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gali H Weissberger
- Department of Family Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, 1000 S. Fremont Avenue, Unit 22, HSA Building A-6, 4thFloor, Room 6437A, Alhambra, CA, 91803, USA.
| | - Daniel A Nation
- Department of Psychology, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Los Angeles, 90089, CA, USA
| | - Caroline P Nguyen
- Department of Family Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, 1000 S. Fremont Avenue, Unit 22, HSA Building A-6, 4thFloor, Room 6437A, Alhambra, CA, 91803, USA
| | - Mark W Bondi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #9116-B, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - S Duke Han
- Department of Family Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, 1000 S. Fremont Avenue, Unit 22, HSA Building A-6, 4thFloor, Room 6437A, Alhambra, CA, 91803, USA; Department of Psychology, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Los Angeles, 90089, CA, USA; USC School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA; Department of Neurology, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, 90033, CA, USA
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Arrifano GPF, Martín-Doimeadios RCR, Jiménez-Moreno M, Fernández-Trujillo S, Augusto-Oliveira M, Souza-Monteiro JR, Macchi BM, Alvarez-Leite JI, do Nascimento JLM, Amador MT, Santos S, Ribeiro-Dos-Santos Â, Silva-Pereira LC, Oriá RB, Crespo-Lopez ME. Genetic Susceptibility to Neurodegeneration in Amazon: Apolipoprotein E Genotyping in Vulnerable Populations Exposed to Mercury. Front Genet 2018; 9:285. [PMID: 30100920 PMCID: PMC6073741 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Human exposure to mercury is a serious problem of public health in Amazon. As in other vulnerable populations throughout the world, Amazonian riverine populations are chronically exposed to this metal and some symptoms of mercury intoxication were already detected in these populations. However, studies on the genetic susceptibility to mercury toxicity in the Amazon are scarce, and they tested a limited number of individuals. In this context, apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) is a key element with a well-established association among their alleles and the neurodegenerative consequences of mercury intoxication. However, no studies have addressed APOE genotyping in Amazonian exposed populations. Additionally, epidemiological studies with APOE genotyping in Amazon have been restricted to indigenous populations. Therefore, this work analyzed for the first time the genotypic and allelic profiles of APOE in Amazonian riverine populations chronically exposed to mercury. Eight hundred and twenty three individuals were enrolled in our study donating blood (794) and/or hair (757). APOE genotyping was analyzed by real-time PCR. Total mercury and mercury species were quantified by ICP-MS and GC-pyro-AFS, respectively. Genomic ancestry markers were evaluated by multiplex-PCR reaction, separated by capillary electrophoresis on the ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer instrument and analyzed on GeneMapper ID v3.2. The 𝜀3 and 𝜀3/𝜀3 were the most frequent allele and genotype, respectively, followed by 𝜀4 allele and 𝜀3/𝜀4 genotype. Only 𝜀2/𝜀2 genotype was not found, suggesting that the absence of this genotype is a generalized phenomenon in Amazon. Also, our data supported an association between the presence of APOE4 and the Amerindian origin in these populations. Fifty-nine individuals were identified at maximum risk with levels of mercury above 10 μg/g and the presence of APOE4. Interestingly, among individuals with high mercury content, APOE4-carriers had high mercury levels than APOE2-carriers, pointing to a different heavy metal accumulation according to the APOE allele. These data suggest that APOE4, in addition to a possible pharmacodynamic effect, may influence pharmacokinetically the mercury exposure causing its higher accumulation and leading to worse deleterious consequences. Our results may aid in the development of prevention strategies and health policy decision-making regarding these at-risk vulnerable populations.
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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 R 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
| | - Sergio Fernández-Trujillo
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção (Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto), Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - José R Souza-Monteiro
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Barbarella M Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | - José L M do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil.,Neuroscience Research Group, CEUMA University, São Luís, Brazil
| | - Marcos T Amador
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Sidney Santos
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Ândrea Ribeiro-Dos-Santos
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, 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, Brazil
| | - Maria E Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The environmental health of children is one of the great global health concerns. Exposures in utero and throughout development can have major consequences on later health. However, environmental risks or disease burdens vary from region to region. Birth cohort studies are ideal for investigating different environmental risks. METHODS The principal investigators of three birth cohorts in Asia including the Taiwan Birth Panel Study (TBPS), the Mothers and Children's Environmental Health Study (MOCEH), and the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children' Health (Hokkaido Study) coestablished the Birth Cohort Consortium of Asia (BiCCA) in 2011. Through a series of five PI meetings, the enrolment criteria, aim of the consortium, and a first-phase inventory were confirmed. RESULTS To date, 23 birth cohorts have been established in 10 Asian countries, consisting of approximately 70,000 study subjects in the BiCCA. This article provides the study framework, environmental exposure and health outcome assessments, as well as maternal and infant characteristics of the participating cohorts. CONCLUSIONS The BiCCA provides a unique and reliable source of birth cohort information in Asian countries. Further scientific cooperation is ongoing to identify specific regional environmental threats and improve the health of children in Asia.
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Tsai MS, Chen MH, Lin CC, Ng S, Hsieh CJ, Liu CY, Hsieh WS, Chen PC. Children's environmental health based on birth cohort studies of Asia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 609:396-409. [PMID: 28755589 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.07.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have explored the associations between environmental pollutants and pediatric health. Recent studies have investigated the issue in Asia, but no systematic review has been published to date. This study aims to elucidate the issue by summarizing relevant epidemiologic evidence for cohorts in Asia, using information from the Birth Cohort Consortium of Asia (BiCCA). Environmental pollutants include mercury, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates. This study sought to classify the effects of such compounds on fetal growth and pregnancy outcomes, neurodevelopment and behavioral problems, allergic disease and immune function and the endocrine system and puberty. These evidences showed ETS has been associated with infant birth weight, children's neurodevelopment and allergy disease; mercury and PCB have been shown to affect children's neurodevelopment; phthalate has effects on endocrine function; PFAS alters children's neurodevelopment, the endocrine system, and the allergic response. However, more consistent and coordinated research is necessary to understand the whole picture of single environmental and/or co-exposure and children's health. Therefore, harmonization and international collaboration are also needed in Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Shan Tsai
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Huei Chen
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chun Lin
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sharon Ng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Chia-Jung Hsieh
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualian County, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yu Liu
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wu-Shiun Hsieh
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pau-Chung Chen
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
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23
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The Putative Role of Environmental Mercury in the Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Subtypes. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:4834-4856. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0692-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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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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Genetic Aspects of Susceptibility to Mercury Toxicity: An Overview. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14010093. [PMID: 28106810 PMCID: PMC5295343 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14010093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human exposure to mercury is still a major public health concern. In this context, children have a higher susceptibility to adverse neurological mercury effects, compared to adults with similar exposures. Moreover, there exists a marked variability of personal response to detrimental mercury action, in particular among population groups with significant mercury exposure. New scientific evidence on genetic backgrounds has raised the issue of whether candidate susceptibility genes can make certain individuals more or less vulnerable to mercury toxicity. In this review, the aim is to evaluate a new genetic dimension and its involvement in mercury risk assessment, focusing on the important role played by relevant polymorphisms, located in attractive gene targets for mercury toxicity. Existing original articles on epidemiologic research which report a direct link between the genetic basis of personal vulnerability and different mercury repercussions on human health will be reviewed. Based on this evidence, a careful evaluation of the significant markers of susceptibility will be suggested, in order to obtain a powerful positive “feedback” to improve the quality of life. Large consortia of studies with clear phenotypic assessments will help clarify the “window of susceptibility” in the human health risks due to mercury exposure.
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26
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Snoj Tratnik J, Falnoga I, Trdin A, Mazej D, Fajon V, Miklavčič A, Kobal AB, Osredkar J, Sešek Briški A, Krsnik M, Neubauer D, Kodrič J, Stropnik S, Gosar D, Lešnik Musek P, Marc J, Jurkovič Mlakar S, Petrović O, Vlašić-Cicvarić I, Prpić I, Milardović A, Radić Nišević J, Vuković D, Fišić E, Špirić Z, Horvat M. Prenatal mercury exposure, neurodevelopment and apolipoprotein E genetic polymorphism. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 152:375-385. [PMID: 27616663 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between prenatal exposure to mercury (Hg) and neurodevelopment of the child, taking into account genetic polymorphism of apolipoprotein E (Apoe) and other relevant confounders. Six hundred and one mother-child pairs were recruited from the central Slovenia region and 243 from Rijeka, on the Croatian coast of the northern Adriatic. The total Hg in cord blood, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) assessment at 18 months of age and Apoe genotyping was performed on 361 children; 237 of them were from Slovenia and 124 from Croatia. The results showed negative association between low-to-moderate Hg exposure in children with normal neurodevelopmental outcome and cognitive and fine motor scores at 18 months of age as assessed by Bayley III. The Hg-related decrease in cognitive score was observed only in children carrying at least one Apoe ε4 allele, while the decrease in fine motor scores was independent of the Apoe genotype. Adjusting for selenium (Se) and lead (Pb) levels, a positive association between Se and the language score and a negative association between Pb and the motor score was observed, but not in the subgroup of children carrying the ε4 allele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Snoj Tratnik
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ingrid Falnoga
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ajda Trdin
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Mazej
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Fajon
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Miklavčič
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alfred B Kobal
- Ex-Department of Occupational Health, Idrija Mercury Mine, Idrija, Slovenia
| | - Joško Osredkar
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Clinical Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Sešek Briški
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Clinical Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mladen Krsnik
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Clinical Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David Neubauer
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Division of Paediatrics, Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, Slovenia
| | - Jana Kodrič
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Division of Paediatrics, Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, Slovenia
| | - Staša Stropnik
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Division of Paediatrics, Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, Slovenia
| | - David Gosar
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Division of Paediatrics, Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, Slovenia
| | - Petra Lešnik Musek
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Division of Paediatrics, Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, Slovenia
| | - Janja Marc
- University in Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Slovenia
| | | | - Oleg Petrović
- University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Department of Paediatrics, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Igor Prpić
- University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Department of Paediatrics, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ana Milardović
- University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Department of Paediatrics, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Danijela Vuković
- University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Department of Paediatrics, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Elizabeta Fišić
- University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Department of Paediatrics, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Milena Horvat
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Lovely C, Rampersad M, Fernandes Y, Eberhart J. Gene-environment interactions in development and disease. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2017; 6:10.1002/wdev.247. [PMID: 27626243 PMCID: PMC5191946 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Developmental geneticists continue to make substantial jumps in our understanding of the genetic pathways that regulate development. This understanding stems predominantly from analyses of genetically tractable model organisms developing in laboratory environments. This environment is vastly different from that in which human development occurs. As such, most causes of developmental defects in humans are thought to involve multifactorial gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. In this review, we discuss how gene-environment interactions with environmental teratogens may predispose embryos to structural malformations. We elaborate on the growing number of gene-ethanol interactions that might underlie susceptibility to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. WIREs Dev Biol 2017, 6:e247. doi: 10.1002/wdev.247 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Lovely
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mindy Rampersad
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Yohaan Fernandes
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Johann Eberhart
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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28
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Groth E. Scientific foundations of fish-consumption advice for pregnant women: Epidemiological evidence, benefit-risk modeling, and an integrated approach. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 152:386-406. [PMID: 27475784 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant women need fish consumption advice that increases seafood intake and simultaneously reduces methylmercury (MeHg) exposure. Two disciplines, epidemiology and benefit-risk modeling, can support such advice. Some current models suggest that fish consumption during pregnancy has only net beneficial effects. In contrast, many recent epidemiological studies have associated adverse effects on cognitive development with ordinary fish intake and MeHg doses routinely encountered by up to one in six US women of childbearing age. Proposed federal fish-consumption advice is based solely on a benefit-risk model. A more complete assessment integrating both types of evidence is needed. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS The goal of this paper is to use a model to rank seafood items by their relative benefits and risks, producing consumer seafood choice recommendations that are also consistent with epidemiological observations. Recent epidemiological studies and benefit-risk models are reviewed, and model results are compared with one another and with epidemiological observations to identify commonalities that support inter-calibration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Both approaches quantify MeHg doses at which harm slightly exceeds benefit. A model from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) predicts adverse effects at fish intakes containing, on average, more than 16 times the the US Reference Dose (RfD) for MeHg. Epidemiological results indicate that the RfD itself approximates a minimal adverse dose. This conceptual similarity allows FDA's model to be calibrated with the epidemiological results to generate fish intake recommendations that both the model and the epidemiology suggest should have substantially positive public health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Groth
- Groth Consulting Services, 455 Beacon Street, Apt. 6, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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29
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Llop S, Ballester F, Murcia M, Forns J, Tardon A, Andiarena A, Vioque J, Ibarluzea J, Fernández-Somoano A, Sunyer J, Julvez J, Rebagliato M, Lopez-Espinosa MJ. Prenatal exposure to mercury and neuropsychological development in young children: the role of fish consumption. Int J Epidemiol 2016; 46:827-838. [DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyw259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
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30
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Hu Y, Chen L, Wang C, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Shi R, Gao Y, Tian Y. Prenatal low-level mercury exposure and infant neurodevelopment at 12 months in rural northern China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:12050-12059. [PMID: 26965274 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6395-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Although MeHg is a confirmed neurotoxin at sufficiently high dosages, the effect of prenatal low-level Hg exposure on infant neurodevelopment is still unknown. Four hundred ten mother-infant pairs were recruited in rural northern China from September 2010 to September 2012. We investigated maternal diet during pregnancy, collected maternal and umbilical blood samples, and tested infant neurodevelopment using Gesell developmental schedules (GDS) at the age of 1 year old. The geometric means (GM) of Hg exposure in maternal and umbilical blood were 0.72 and 1.2 μg/L, respectively. Positive associations between Hg levels and the frequency of total fish consumption were found (Spearman's correlation, r = 0.09 for maternal Hg, r = 0.14 for umbilical Hg, p < 0.01). After adjusting for confounding factors, we found a log-unit increase in umbilical blood Hg levels was associated with a 4.22-point (95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) 0.77 to 7.67) increase in the adaptive domain and a 4.06-point (95 %CI 0.51 to 7.62) increase in the social domain. No significant association has been found between other domains and Hg levels in our study. In further analysis, we noticed the positive correlation between the developmental quotient (DQ) scores of the adaptive domain and frequencies of total fish consumption (p = 0.04). Our results failed to indicate the adverse effects between prenatal Hg exposure and infant neurodevelopment. However, given the low-level Hg exposure and its predominant source, the potential positive associations in our study may be attributed to the beneficial nutrients of fish consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Hu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Limei Chen
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Caifeng Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Yijun Zhou
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiwen Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Shi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ying Tian
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China.
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Karita K, Sakamoto M, Yoshida M, Tatsuta N, Nakai K, Iwai-Shimada M, Iwata T, Maeda E, Yaginuma-Sakurai K, Satoh H, Murata K. [Recent Epidemiological Studies on Methylmercury, Mercury and Selenium]. Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi 2016; 71:236-251. [PMID: 27725427 DOI: 10.1265/jjh.71.236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
More than sixty years has passed since the outbreak of Minamata disease, and high-level methylmercury contaminations now seem nonexistent in Japan. However, mercury has been continuously discharged from natural sources and industrial activities, and the health effects on children susceptible to methylmercury exposure at low levels, in addition to mercury contamination from mercury or gold mining areas in developing countries, become a worldwide concern. In this article, we provide a recent overview of epidemiological studies regarding methylmercury and mercury. The following findings were obtained. (1) Many papers on exposure assessment of methylmercury/mercury have been published since the Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted in 2013. (2) The most crucial problem is child developmental neurotoxicity resulting from prenatal exposure to methylmercury, but its precise assessment seems to be difficult because most of such effects are neither severe nor specific. (3) Several problems raised in birth cohort studies (e.g., whether IQ deficits due to prenatal methylmercury exposure remain when the children become adults, or whether the postnatal exposure at low levels also causes such adverse effects in children) remain unsolved. (4) Concurrent exposure models of methylmercury, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, aresenic, and organochlorine pesticides, as well as possible antagonists such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and selenium, should be considered in the study design because the exposure levels of methylmercury are extremely low in developed countries. (5) Further animal experiments and molecular biological studies, in addition to human studies, are required to clarify the mechanism of methylmercury toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanae Karita
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Kyorin University School of Medicine
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Llop S, Ballester F, Broberg K. Effect of Gene-Mercury Interactions on Mercury Toxicokinetics and Neurotoxicity. Curr Environ Health Rep 2015; 2:179-94. [DOI: 10.1007/s40572-015-0047-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Multifactorial Origin of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Approaches to Understanding Complex Etiologies. TOXICS 2015; 3:89-129. [PMID: 29056653 PMCID: PMC5634696 DOI: 10.3390/toxics3010089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A significant body of evidence supports the multifactorial etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) affecting children. The present review focuses on early exposure to environmental chemicals as a risk factor for neurodevelopment, and presents the major lines of evidence derived from epidemiological studies, underlying key uncertainties and research needs in this field. We introduce the exposome concept that, encompassing the totality of human environmental exposures to multiple risk factors, aims at explaining individual vulnerability and resilience to early chemical exposure. In this framework, we synthetically review the role of variable gene backgrounds, the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms as well as the function played by potential effect modifiers such as socioeconomic status. We describe laboratory rodent studies where the neurodevelopmental effects of environmental chemicals are assessed in the presence of either a “vulnerable” gene background or adverse pregnancy conditions (i.e., maternal stress). Finally, we discuss the need for more descriptive and “lifelike” experimental models of NDDs, to identify candidate biomarkers and pinpoint susceptible groups or life stages to be translated to large prospective studies within the exposome framework.
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Ng S, Lin CC, Jeng SF, Hwang YH, Hsieh WS, Chen PC. Mercury, APOE, and child behavior. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 120:123-30. [PMID: 25014903 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/01/2014] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a neurotoxicant and may have an adverse impact on child behavior. However, this impact was found to be inconsistent in fish-eating populations. Although the positive effects of the nutrients provided by a fish diet may overcome the effect of MeHg, the possibility of genetic variants influencing an individual's response to MeHg has also been discussed. The role of the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon 4 allele (ε4) on MeHg related neurotoxicity is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the role of APOE variants in the relationship between cord blood mercury (Hg) and child behavior. A total of 166 subjects were recruited at delivery, and their cord blood was collected for laboratory analyses of Hg and the APOE genotype. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was administered to the subjects when they reached the age of two years. An increase in cord blood Hg concentrations in APOE ε4 carriers was consistently associated with an increased score for all CBCL syndromes. After controlling for potential confounding factors, the group of ε4 carriers with an elevated cord blood Hg concentration had significantly higher scores in the syndrome categories of general internalizing, emotionally reactive, and anxiety/depression as well as CBCL total scores. Furthermore, general externalizing and aggressive syndromes were borderline significantly higher in this group. In conclusion, we suggest that APOE may modify the toxicity of MeHg. APOE ε4 carriers may be more vulnerable to the effects of MeHg on child behavior at the age of two years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Ng
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chun Lin
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Suh-Fang Jeng
- The School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yaw-Huei Hwang
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wu-Shiun Hsieh
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pau-Chung Chen
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Li X, Montine KS, Keene CD, Montine TJ. Different mechanisms of apolipoprotein E isoform-dependent modulation of prostaglandin E2 production and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) expression after innate immune activation of microglia. FASEB J 2015; 29:1754-62. [PMID: 25593125 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-262683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence support immune response in brain as a mechanism of injury in Alzheimer disease (AD). Moreover, immune activation is heightened in apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 carriers; inhibitors of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis show a partially protective effect on AD risk from APOE ε4; and genetic variants in triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) are a rare but potent risk for AD. We tested the hypothesis that APOE ε4 inheritance modulates both the PGE2 pathway and TREM2 expression using primary murine microglia from targeted replacement (TR) APOE3/3 and APOE4/4 mice. Microglial cyclooxygenase-2, microsomal PGE synthase, and PGE2 expression were increased 2- to 25-fold in both genotypes by TLR activators; however, this induction was significantly (P < 0.01) greater in TR APOE4/4 microglia with TLR3 and TLR4 activators. Microglial TREM2 expression was reduced approximately 85% by all TLR activators; this reduction was approximately one-third greater in microglia from TR APOE4/4 mice. Importantly, both receptor-associated protein and a nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer inhibitor blocked TR APOE4/4-dependent effects on the PGE2 pathway but not on TREM2 expression. These data demonstrate complementary, but mechanistically distinct, regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators in TR APOE4/4 murine microglia that yields a more proinflammatory state than with TR APOE3/3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianwu Li
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kathleen S Montine
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - C Dirk Keene
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Thomas J Montine
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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36
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Reverte I, Domingo JL, Colomina MT. Neurodevelopmental effects of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) in APOE transgenic mice. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2014; 46:10-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Revised: 08/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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37
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Karimi R, Silbernagel S, Fisher NS, Meliker JR. Elevated blood Hg at recommended seafood consumption rates in adult seafood consumers. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2014; 217:758-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2014.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Revised: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Woods JS, Heyer NJ, Russo JE, Martin MD, Farin FM. Genetic polymorphisms affecting susceptibility to mercury neurotoxicity in children: summary findings from the Casa Pia Children's Amalgam clinical trial. Neurotoxicology 2014; 44:288-302. [PMID: 25109824 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2014.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Revised: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is neurotoxic, and children may be particularly susceptible to this effect. A current major challenge is identification of children who may be uniquely susceptible to Hg toxicity because of genetic predisposition. We examined the possibility that common genetic variants that are known to affect neurologic functions or Hg handling in adults would modify the adverse neurobehavioral effects of Hg exposure in children. Three hundred thirty subjects who participated as children in the recently completed Casa Pia Clinical Trial of Dental Amalgams in Children were genotyped for 27 variants of 13 genes that are reported to affect neurologic functions and/or Hg disposition in adults. Urinary Hg concentrations, reflecting Hg exposure from any source, served as the Hg exposure index. Regression modeling strategies were employed to evaluate potential associations between allelic status for individual genes or combinations of genes, Hg exposure, and neurobehavioral test outcomes assessed at baseline and for 7 subsequent years during the clinical trial. Among boys, significant modification of Hg effects on neurobehavioral outcomes over a broad range of neurologic domains was observed with variant genotypes for 4 of 13 genes evaluated. Modification of Hg effects on a more limited number of neurobehavioral outcomes was also observed for variants of another 8 genes. Cluster analyses suggested some genes interacting in common processes to affect Hg neurotoxicity. In contrast, significant modification of Hg effects on neurobehavioral functions among girls with the same genotypes was substantially more limited. These observations suggest increased susceptibility to the adverse neurobehavioral effects of Hg among children, particularly boys, with genetic variants that are relatively common to the general human population. These findings advance public health goals to identify factors underlying susceptibility to Hg toxicity and may contribute to strategies for preventing adverse health risks associated with Hg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Woods
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Nicholas J Heyer
- Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Joan E Russo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael D Martin
- Departments of Oral Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Federico M Farin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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39
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Julvez J, Grandjean P. Genetic susceptibility to methylmercury developmental neurotoxicity matters. Front Genet 2013; 4:278. [PMID: 24379825 PMCID: PMC3861742 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2013.00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2013] [Accepted: 11/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Julvez
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health Boston, MA, USA ; Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology Catalonia, Spain
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health Boston, MA, USA ; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark Odense, Denmark
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