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Wei Y, Zhou YF, Xiao L, Qin J, Cheng H, Cai H, Chen X, Zou Y, Yang L, Zhang H, Zhang Z, Yang X. Associations of Heavy Metals with Cognitive Function: An Epigenome-Wide View of DNA Methylation and Mediation Analysis. Ann Neurol 2024; 96:87-98. [PMID: 38661228 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Exposure to heavy metals has been reported to be associated with impaired cognitive function, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This pilot study aimed to identify key heavy metal elements associated with cognitive function and further explore the potential mediating role of metal-related DNA methylation. METHODS Blood levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper, manganese, and zinc and genome-wide DNA methylations were separately detected in peripheral blood in 155 older adults. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator penalized regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression were used to identify metals associated with cognitive function. An epigenome-wide association study examined the DNA methylation profile of the identified metal, and mediation analysis investigated its mediating role. RESULTS The MMSE scores showed a significant decrease of 1.61 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.64, -0.59) with each 1 standard deviation increase in ln-transformed arsenic level; this association was significant in multiple-metal models and dominated the overall negative effect of 6 heavy metal mixture on cognitive function. Seventy-three differentially methylated positions were associated with blood arsenic (p < 1.0 × 10-5). The methylation levels at cg05226051 (annotated to TDRD3) and cg18886932 (annotated to GAL3ST3) mediated 24.8% and 25.5% of the association between blood arsenic and cognitive function, respectively (all p < 0.05). INTERPRETATION Blood arsenic levels displayed a negative association with the cognitive function of older adults. This finding shows that arsenic-related DNA methylation alterations are critical partial mediators that may serve as potential biomarkers for further mechanism-related studies. ANN NEUROL 2024;96:87-98.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wei
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yan-Feng Zhou
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Lili Xiao
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jian Qin
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Hong Cheng
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Haiqing Cai
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yunfeng Zou
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposomics and Entire Lifecycle Heath Research, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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Saroukhani S, Samms-Vaughan M, Bressler J, Lee M, Byrd-Williams C, Hessabi M, Grove ML, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Loveland KA, Rahbar MH. Additive or Interactive Associations of Food Allergies with Glutathione S-Transferase Genes in Relation to ASD and ASD Severity in Jamaican Children. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:704-724. [PMID: 36436147 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05813-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To investigate additive and interactive associations of food allergies with three glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes in relation to ASD and ASD severity in Jamaican children. Using data from 344 1:1 age- and sex-matched ASD cases and typically developing controls, we assessed additive and interactive associations of food allergies with polymorphisms in GST genes (GSTM1, GSTP1 and GSTT1) in relation to ASD by applying conditional logistic regression models, and in relation to ASD severity in ASD cases as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2nd Edition (ADOS-2) total and domains specific comparison scores (CSs) by fitting general linear models. Although food allergies and GST genes were not associated with ASD, ASD cases allergic to non-dairy food had higher mean ADOS-2 Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors (RRB) CS (8.8 vs. 8.0, P = 0.04). In addition, allergy to dairy was associated with higher mean RRB CS only among ASD cases with GSTT1 DD genotype (9.9 vs. 7.8, P < 0.01, interaction P = 0.01), and GSTP1 Val/Val genotype under a recessive genetic model (9.8 vs. 7.8, P = 0.02, interaction P = 0.06). Our findings are consistent with the role for GST genes in ASD and food allergies, though require replication in other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Saroukhani
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Jan Bressler
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - MinJae Lee
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Courtney Byrd-Williams
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, School of Public Health Regional Campus at Austin, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Austin, TX, 78701, USA
| | - Manouchehr Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Megan L Grove
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sydonnie Shakespeare-Pellington
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Katherine A Loveland
- Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, 77030, Houston, USA
| | - Mohammad H Rahbar
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Chipman JK, del Mazo J, Grasl‐Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Hoogenboom L(R, Leblanc J, Nebbia CS, Nielsen E, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Vleminckx C, Wallace H, Barregård L, Benford D, Broberg K, Dogliotti E, Fletcher T, Rylander L, Abrahantes JC, Gómez Ruiz JÁ, Steinkellner H, Tauriainen T, Schwerdtle T. Update of the risk assessment of inorganic arsenic in food. EFSA J 2024; 22:e8488. [PMID: 38239496 PMCID: PMC10794945 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2009 risk assessment on arsenic in food carrying out a hazard assessment of inorganic arsenic (iAs) and using the revised exposure assessment issued by EFSA in 2021. Epidemiological studies show that the chronic intake of iAs via diet and/or drinking water is associated with increased risk of several adverse outcomes including cancers of the skin, bladder and lung. The CONTAM Panel used the benchmark dose lower confidence limit based on a benchmark response (BMR) of 5% (relative increase of the background incidence after adjustment for confounders, BMDL05) of 0.06 μg iAs/kg bw per day obtained from a study on skin cancer as a Reference Point (RP). Inorganic As is a genotoxic carcinogen with additional epigenetic effects and the CONTAM Panel applied a margin of exposure (MOE) approach for the risk characterisation. In adults, the MOEs are low (range between 2 and 0.4 for mean consumers and between 0.9 and 0.2 at the 95th percentile exposure, respectively) and as such raise a health concern despite the uncertainties.
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Baj J, Flieger W, Barbachowska A, Kowalska B, Flieger M, Forma A, Teresiński G, Portincasa P, Buszewicz G, Radzikowska-Büchner E, Flieger J. Consequences of Disturbing Manganese Homeostasis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14959. [PMID: 37834407 PMCID: PMC10573482 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element with unique functions in the body; it acts as a cofactor for many enzymes involved in energy metabolism, the endogenous antioxidant enzyme systems, neurotransmitter production, and the regulation of reproductive hormones. However, overexposure to Mn is toxic, particularly to the central nervous system (CNS) due to it causing the progressive destruction of nerve cells. Exposure to manganese is widespread and occurs by inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact. Associations have been observed between Mn accumulation and neurodegenerative diseases such as manganism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. People with genetic diseases associated with a mutation in the gene associated with impaired Mn excretion, kidney disease, iron deficiency, or a vegetarian diet are at particular risk of excessive exposure to Mn. This review has collected data on the current knowledge of the source of Mn exposure, the experimental data supporting the dispersive accumulation of Mn in the brain, the controversies surrounding the reference values of biomarkers related to Mn status in different matrices, and the competitiveness of Mn with other metals, such as iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), calcium (Ca). The disturbed homeostasis of Mn in the body has been connected with susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases, fertility, and infectious diseases. The current evidence on the involvement of Mn in metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus/insulin resistance, osteoporosis, obesity, atherosclerosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, was collected and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Baj
- Chair and Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (W.F.); (A.F.)
| | - Wojciech Flieger
- Chair and Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (W.F.); (A.F.)
| | - Aleksandra Barbachowska
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, 21-010 Łęczna, Poland;
| | - Beata Kowalska
- Department of Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal, Lublin University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Michał Flieger
- Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (M.F.); (G.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Alicja Forma
- Chair and Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (W.F.); (A.F.)
| | - Grzegorz Teresiński
- Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (M.F.); (G.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica A. Murri, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Human Oncology, Medical School, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Grzegorz Buszewicz
- Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (M.F.); (G.T.); (G.B.)
| | | | - Jolanta Flieger
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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Kapwata T, Wright CY, Reddy T, Street R, Kunene Z, Mathee A. Relations between personal exposure to elevated concentrations of arsenic in water and soil and blood arsenic levels amongst people living in rural areas in Limpopo, South Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:65204-65216. [PMID: 37079235 PMCID: PMC10116462 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26813-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to arsenic even at low levels can lead to adverse health outcomes, however, there is a paucity of research from South Africa in relation to human exposure to arsenic. We investigated long-term exposure of residents in Limpopo province, South Africa, in a cross-sectional study by analysing water, soil and blood arsenic concentrations from two arsenic-exposed (high and medium-low exposure) villages and one non-exposed (control) village. There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of arsenic in water, soil and blood amongst the three sites. The median drinking water arsenic concentration in the high-exposure village was 1.75 µg/L (range = 0.02 to 81.30 µg/L), 0.45 µg/L (range = 0.100 to 6.00 µg/L) in the medium- / low-exposure village and 0.15 µg/L (range = < limit of detection (LOD) to 29.30 µg/L) in the control site. The median soil arsenic concentration in the high-exposure village was 23.91 mg/kg (range = < LOD to 92.10 mg/kg) whilst arsenic concentrations were below the limit of detection in all soil samples collected from the medium-/low-exposure and control villages. In the high-exposure village, the median blood arsenic concentration was 1.6 µg/L (range = 0.7 to 4.2 µg/L); 0.90 µg/L (range = < LOD to 2.5 µg/L) in the medium-/low-exposure village and 0.6 µg/L (range = < LOD to 3.3 µg/L) in the control village. Significant percentages of drinking water, soil and blood samples from the exposed sites were above the internationally recommended guidelines (namely, 10 µg/L, 20 mg/kg and 1 µg/L, respectively). Majority of participants (86%) relied on borehole water for drinking and there was a significant positive correlation between arsenic in blood and borehole water (p-value = 0.031). There was also a statistically significant correlation between arsenic concentrations in participants' blood and soil samples collected from gardens (p-value = 0.051). Univariate quantile regression found that blood arsenic concentrations increased by 0.034 µg/L (95% CI = 0.02-0.05) for each one unit increase in water arsenic concentrations (p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, water source and homegrown vegetable consumption in multivariate quantile regression, participants from the high-exposure site had significantly higher blood concentrations than those in the control site (coefficient: 1.00; 95% CI = 0.25-1.74; p-value = 0.009) demonstrating that blood arsenic is a good biomarker of arsenic exposure. Our findings also provide new evidence for South Africa on the association between drinking water and arsenic exposure, emphasising the need for the provision of potable water for human consumption in areas with high environmental arsenic concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thandi Kapwata
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa.
- Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa.
| | - Caradee Y Wright
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, 0084, South Africa
- Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Tarylee Reddy
- Biostatistics Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, 4001, South Africa
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 3201, South Africa
| | - Renee Street
- Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Zamantimande Kunene
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa
- Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa
| | - Angela Mathee
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa
- Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa
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6
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Ling W, Zhao G, Wang W, Wang C, Zhang L, Zhang H, Lu D, Ruan S, Zhang A, Liu Q, Jiang J, Jiang G. Metallomic profiling and natural copper isotopic signatures of childhood autism in serum and red blood cells. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 330:138700. [PMID: 37076087 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Excessive exposure to metals directly threatens human health, including neurodeve lopment. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, leaving great harms to children themselves, their families, and even society. In view of this, it is critical to develop reliable biomarkers for ASD in early childhood. Here we used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to identify the abnormalities in ASD-associated metal elements in children blood. Multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) was applied to detect isotopic differences in copper (Cu) for further assessment on account of its core role in the brain. We also developed a machine learning classification method for unknown samples based on a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. The results indicated significant differences in the blood metallome (chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), magnesium (Mg), and arsenic (As)) between cases and controls, and a significantly lower Zn/Cu ratio was observed in the ASD cases. Interestingly, we found a strong association of serum copper isotopic composition (δ65Cu) with autistic serum. SVM was successfully applied to discriminate cases and controls based on the two-dimensional Cu signatures (Cu concentration and δ65Cu) with a high accuracy (94.4%). Overall, our findings revealed a new biomarker for potential early diagnosis and screening of ASD, and the significant alterations in the blood metallome also helped to understand the potential pathogenesis of ASD in terms of metallomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibo Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Nanshan District, 1 Wanxia Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518067, China
| | - Weichao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Luyao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huazhou Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Dawei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Shasha Ruan
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Aiqian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Taishan Institute for Ecology and Environment (TIEE), Jinan, 250100, China.
| | - Jie Jiang
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Shiani A, Sharafi K, Omer AK, Kiani A, Karamimatin B, Massahi T, Ebrahimzadeh G. A systematic literature review on the association between exposures to toxic elements and an autism spectrum disorder. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159246. [PMID: 36220469 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental illness characterized by difficulties in social communication and repetitive behaviors. There have been many previous studies of toxic metals in ASD. Therefore, the priority of this study is to review the relationships between exposure to toxic metals and ASD. MATERIALS & METHODS This study was based on a comprehensive search of international databases, such as Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, for all works related to the subject under discussion from 1982 to 2022. We further summarize published data linked to this topic and discuss with clarifying evidence that agrees and conflicts with the association between exposure to toxic metals, including mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and aluminum (Al) and ASD. RESULTS 40 out of 63 papers met the requirements for meta-analysis. Blood Pb levels (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.81; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.36-1.25), blood Hg (SMD = 0.90; CI: 0.30-1.49), hair Pb (SMD = 1.47; CI: 0.03-2.92), urine As (SMD = 0.65; CI: 0.22-1.09), and urine Al levels (SMD = 0.85; CI: 0.40-1.29) in autistic individuals were significantly higher than those of healthy control (HC). Whereas, blood As levels (SMD = 1.33; CI: -1.32-3.97), hair As (SMD = 0.55; CI: -0.14-1.24), hair Cd (SMD = 0.60; CI: -0.31-1.51), hair Hg (SMD = 0.41; CI: -0.30-1.12), hair Al (SMD = 0.87; CI: -0.02-1.77), urine Pb (SMD = -0.68; CI: -2.55-1.20), urine Cd (SMD = -0.26; CI: -0.94-0.41), and urine Hg levels (SMD = 0.47; CI: -0.09-1.04) in autistic individuals were significantly lower than those of HC. CONCLUSION Toxic metal content significantly differed between individuals with ASD and HC in the current meta-analysis. The results assist in clarifying the significance of toxic metals as environmental factors in the development of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Shiani
- Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Clinical Research Development Center, Taleghani and Imam Ali Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Kiomars Sharafi
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Research Institute for Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Abdullah Khalid Omer
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran; Razga Company, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
| | - Amir Kiani
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center (RMRC), Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Behzad Karamimatin
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Research Institute for Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Tooraj Massahi
- Students Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Ebrahimzadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
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Vellingiri B, Aishwarya SY, Benita Jancy S, Sriram Abhishek G, Winster Suresh Babu H, Vijayakumar P, Narayanasamy A, Mariappan S, Sangeetha R, Valsala Gopalakrishnan A, Parthasarathi R, Iyer M. An anxious relationship between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Gut Microbiota: A tangled chemistry? J Clin Neurosci 2022; 99:169-189. [PMID: 35286970 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a serious multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorder often accompanied by strained social communication, repetitive behaviour, immune dysregulation, and gastrointestinal (GI) issues. Recent studies have recorded a link between dysbiosis in the gut microbiota (gm) and the primary stages of ASD. A bidirectional connection (also called microbiota-gut-brain-axis) exchanges information between the gut bacteria and central nervous system. When the homeostasis of the microenvironment of the gut is dysregulated, it causes oxidative stress, affecting neuronal cells and neurotransmitters, thereby causing neurodevelopmental disorders. Studies have confirmed a difference in the constitution of gut bacteria among ASD cases and their controls. Numerous studies on animal models of ASD have shown altered gm and its association with abnormal metabolite profile and altered behaviour phenotype. This process happens due to an abnormal metabolite production in gm, leading to changes in the immune system, especially in ASD. Hence, this review aims to question the current knowledge on gm dysbiosis and its related GI discomforts and ASD behavioural symptoms and shed light on the possible therapeutic approaches available to deal with this situation. Thereby, though it is understood that more research might be needed to prove an association or causal relationship between gm and ASD, therapy with the microbiome may also be considered as an effective strategy to combat this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balachandar Vellingiri
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - S Y Aishwarya
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641062, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Benita Jancy
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641062, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - G Sriram Abhishek
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641062, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Harysh Winster Suresh Babu
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India; Disease Proteomics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Padmavathi Vijayakumar
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Arul Narayanasamy
- Disease Proteomics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sujitha Mariappan
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore 641062, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - R Sangeetha
- Department of Zoology and Wild Life Biology, Government Arts College, Udhagamandalam 643002, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014 Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ramakrishnan Parthasarathi
- Computational Toxicology Facility, Centre for Innovation and Translational Research, Environmental Monitoring and Intervention Hub (DSIR-CRTDH), CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow 226001 Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mahalaxmi Iyer
- Livestock Farming and Bioresource Technology, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Tapia-Gatica J, Selles I, Bravo MA, Tessini C, Barros-Parada W, Novoselov A, Neaman A. Global issues in setting legal limits on soil metal contamination: A case study of Chile. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 290:133404. [PMID: 34953874 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of legal limits for soil contamination with trace elements is a global issue that has not yet been resolved. However, the resolution of any global problem begins at the national level. In this vein, we present the case of Chile, the world's leading copper producer, where soil contamination by trace elements in mining areas has been severe. We evaluated the magnitude of the ecological and human health risks from exposure to arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) in soils of the La Ligua and Petorca basins, two important mining areas in Chile. Contrary to what might be expected in soils affected by Cu mining activities, As was identified as the most hazardous element in the studied soils, both in terms of ecological and human health risks. On the other hand, Chile does not currently have specific legislation establishing legal limits on soil contamination with trace elements. Since Chile is geochemically similar to New Zealand, Mexico, and Italy, we used the limits of these three countries as benchmarks. We determined the background concentrations of As, Cu, Zn, and Pb in the soils of the two river basins under study and found that they tend to exceed the limits established by foreign laws. We also found that the differences in background elemental concentrations in the studied soils were primarily due to the varied lithology of soil-forming rocks. This means that absolute "one-limit-fits-all" values of element concentrations may not be adequate to regulate the level of soil contamination in areas affected by mining. As a fundamental first step, it is necessary to establish background soil concentrations of trace elements in each river basin in Chile. It is clear that Chile urgently needs to move from rubber-stamping foreign laws to the development of national legislation on soil metal contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Tapia-Gatica
- Escuela de Agronomía, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota, Chile; Doctorado en Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas y de los Alimentos, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota, Chile
| | - Iván Selles
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Manuel A Bravo
- Laboratorio de Química Analítica y Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Catherine Tessini
- Laboratorio de Análisis Químico e Instrumental, Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Wilson Barros-Parada
- Escuela de Agronomía, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota, Chile.
| | - Alexey Novoselov
- Instituto de Geología Económica Aplicada, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Alexander Neaman
- Instituto de Ingeniería Agraria y Suelos, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Alimentarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
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10
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Zhang X, Mei D, Li Y, You M, Wang D, Yao D, Xu Y, Zhai L, Wang Y. Arsenic exposure via drinking water during pregnancy and lactation induces autism-like behaviors in male offspring mice. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 290:133338. [PMID: 34929279 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to arsenic (As), an environmental toxicant, causes damages to the central nervous system (CNS) structure and function. Emerging epidemiological studies support that exposure to As, especially during the critical periods of the CNS development, may act as an environmental risk factor of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which is characterized by behavioral changes, including abnormal social behaviors, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. However, direct evidence supporting the cause-effect relationship between As exposure and the risk of ASD is still missing. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether As exposure during pregnancy and lactation led to autism-like behaviors in offspring mice in the present study. We established a mice model of exposure to As via drinking water during pregnancy and lactation and conducted a battery of behavioral tests to evaluate social behaviors, repetitive behaviors, anxiety behaviors and learning and memory ability in offspring mice. We found that perinatal exposure to As caused autism-like behaviors in male offspring, which demonstrated by abnormal social behaviors and repetitive behaviors. Anxiety-like behaviors, and learning and memory impairments, known as concomitant behavioral phenotypes in mice with autism-like behaviors, were also observed. Decreases of synaptic density, especially in cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum, are extensively observed in both ASD patients and animal models of ASD. Thus, immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were used to observe the expression of PSD-95 and SYP, well-known markers for presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes, to assess the synaptic density in offspring cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. We found perinatal exposure to As decreased the expression of PSD-95 and SYP in these brain regions. This indicated that perinatal exposure to As caused decreases of synaptic density, a typical autism-like cellular alteration in brains, which may contribute to autism-like behaviors in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Dongmeng Mei
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yongfang Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Mingdan You
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Heath, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Da Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Dianqi Yao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Liaoning Province on Toxic and Biological Effects of Arsenic, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Lingling Zhai
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Key Laboratory of Liaoning Province on Toxic and Biological Effects of Arsenic, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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11
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Ortega-Flores PA, Serviere-Zaragoza E, De Anda-Montañez JA, Freile-Pelegrín Y, Robledo D, Méndez-Rodríguez LC. Trace elements in pelagic Sargassum species in the Mexican Caribbean: Identification of key variables affecting arsenic accumulation in S. fluitans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150657. [PMID: 34597566 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Since 2014, the Mexican Caribbean beaches have received massive influxes of the brown seaweed Sargassum (S. fluitans III, S. natans I and S. natans VIII), causing serious ecological and economic effects. Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were determined over an annual cycle in pelagic Sargassum species from massive influxes into the Mexican Caribbean. The contribution of trace elements, polysaccharides (alginate and fucoidans), and their main functional groups (uronic acids and sulfate) to arsenic content in Sargassum fluitans - the most abundant species in the Sargassum influx - is discussed. Arsenic was recorded in all samples, yielding mean concentrations of 74.2 ± 2.84 mg kg-1. Significant differences were found between species for As, Cu, Fe, and Pb, but not for Cd and Zn; also, S. fluitans showed significant differences in metal content between seasons for all elements, as well as in alginate and uronic acids from fucoidan. The season of the year, copper, iron, uronic acids, and sulfate content in fucoidan were the main variables associated with arsenic accumulation in S. fluitans as evidenced with a Generalized Linear Model. Arsenic content in Sargassum biomass exceeded the maximum allowable level in the rainy season; therefore, the content of this trace element should be carefully monitored for safe usage of Sargassum biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Annette Ortega-Flores
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste S.C (CIBNOR), Calle IPN 195, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096, Mexico
| | - Elisa Serviere-Zaragoza
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste S.C (CIBNOR), Calle IPN 195, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096, Mexico
| | - Juan Antonio De Anda-Montañez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste S.C (CIBNOR), Calle IPN 195, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096, Mexico
| | - Yolanda Freile-Pelegrín
- Departamento de Recursos del Mar, CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Mérida, Apdo. Postal 73-Cordemex, Mérida, Yucatán 97310, Mexico
| | - Daniel Robledo
- Departamento de Recursos del Mar, CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Mérida, Apdo. Postal 73-Cordemex, Mérida, Yucatán 97310, Mexico
| | - Lia Celina Méndez-Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste S.C (CIBNOR), Calle IPN 195, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096, Mexico.
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12
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Additive and Interactive Associations of Environmental and Sociodemographic Factors with the Genotypes of Three Glutathione S-Transferase Genes in Relation to the Blood Arsenic Concentrations of Children in Jamaica. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19010466. [PMID: 35010728 PMCID: PMC8745014 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) is a metalloid that has been classified as a xenobiotic with toxic effects on human beings, especially on children. Since the soil in Jamaica contains As, dietary intake is considered the main source of As exposure in Jamaicans. In addition, glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes, including GSTT1, GSTP1, and GSTM1, play an important role in the metabolism of xenobiotics including As in humans. Using data from 375 typically developing children (2–8 years) in Jamaica, we investigated the environmental and sociodemographic factors, as well as their possible interactions with the children’s genotype for GST genes in relation to having a detectable level of blood As concentration (i.e., >1.3 μg/L). Using multivariable logistic regression, we have identified environmental factors significantly associated with blood As concentrations that include a child’s age, parental education levels, and the consumption of saltwater fish, cabbage, broad beans, and avocado (all p < 0.01). Based on the multivariable analysis including gene x environment interactions, we found that among children with the Ile/Ile genotype for GSTP1 Ile105Val, children who consumed avocado had higher odds of having a detectable blood As concentration compared to children who did not eat avocado.
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13
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Amadi CN, Orish CN, Frazzoli C, Orisakwe OE. Association of autism with toxic metals: A systematic review of case-control studies. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 212:173313. [PMID: 34896416 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental factors have been associated with the etiology of autism spectrum disorder ASD in recent times. The involvement of toxic metals in the generation of reactive oxygen species and their epigenetics effects have been implicated in ASD. This systemic review examines the association of toxic metals with autism in children. A systematic literature search was performed in scientific databases such as PubMed, Google scholar, and Scopus. Case-control studies evaluating toxic metal levels in different tissues of ASD children and comparing them to healthy children (control group) were identified. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias of the included studies. Six case-control studies with 425 study subjects met our inclusion criteria. A total of four studies indicated higher levels of As, Pb, Hg, Cd, Al, Sn, Sb, Ba, TI, W, and Zr in whole blood, RBC, in whole blood, RBC, and hair samples of children with autism compared with control suggestive of a greater toxic metal exposure (immediate and long-term). Three studies identified significantly higher concentrations of Cd, Pb and Hg in urine and hair samples of autistic children compared to control suggesting decreased excretion and possible high body burden of these metals. The findings from this review demonstrate that high levels of toxic metals are associated with ASD, therefore, critical care is necessary to reduce body burden of these metals in children with ASD as a major therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia N Amadi
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port Harcourt, PMB, 5323 Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
| | - Chinna N Orish
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, PMB, 5323 Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
| | - Chiara Frazzoli
- Department for Cardiovascular, Dysmetabolic and Aging Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Orish E Orisakwe
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port Harcourt, PMB, 5323 Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria; African Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, PMB, 5323 Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria.
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14
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Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Hessabi M, Bressler J, Gillani S, Grove ML, Shakspeare-Pellington S, Loveland KA. Correlation between concentrations of four heavy metals in cord blood and childhood blood of Jamaican children. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2021; 56:1196-1205. [PMID: 34542373 PMCID: PMC8788997 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2021.1973821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated whether the concentrations of four metals [lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), and aluminum (Al)] are correlated in cord blood and childhood blood samples from Jamaican children. Cord blood samples were obtained from 21 pregnant women enrolled in the second Jamaican Birth Cohort Study from July 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011, and blood samples were drawn from their children who participated in a follow up study when the children were 4-8 years old. Correlations were assessed by the Pearson or the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The mean ages of children at the childhood visit and their mother at the child's birth were 5.5 years and 29.8 years, respectively. About 47.6% of children were male. Statistically significant correlations between cord blood and childhood blood concentrations of Pb (rSpearman =0.45; P = 0.04) and Mn (rPearson=0.48; P = 0.03) were found, and these remained significant when adjusted for the child's sex, age, or both. For Al and Hg, rSpearman=0.29 and 0.08, respectively, but the correlations were not statistically significant (both P ≥ 0.20). A significant correlation between cord blood and childhood blood Pb concentrations for children 4-8 years old has not been previously reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad H. Rahbar
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica
| | - Manouchehr Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jan Bressler
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shezeen Gillani
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Megan L. Grove
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Katherine A. Loveland
- Louis A Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA
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15
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Concentrations of Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium, Manganese, and Aluminum in the Blood of Pakistani Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Associated Factors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168625. [PMID: 34444373 PMCID: PMC8392432 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with early onset in utero or childhood. Environmental exposure to six metals (Pb, Hg, As, Cd, Mn, Al) is believed to be associated with ASD directly or interactively with genes. Objective: To assess the association of ASD among Pakistani children with the six metals and genotype frequencies of three GST genes (GSTP1, GSTM1, GSTT1). Methods: We enrolled 30 ASD cases, age 2–12 years old, and 30 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) controls in Karachi, Pakistan. We assessed associations of ASD status with various factors using Conditional Logistic Regression models. We also used General Linear Models to assess possible interaction of blood Mn and Pb concentrations with the three GST genes in relation to ASD status. Results: The unadjusted difference between ASD and TD groups in terms of geometric mean blood Pb concentrations was marginally significant (p = 0.05), but for Al concentrations, the adjusted difference was marginally significant (p = 0.06). Conclusions: This is the first study reporting six blood metal concentrations of Pakistani children with ASD. Estimates provided for possible interactions of GST genes with Mn and Pb in relation to ASD status are valuable for designing future similar studies.
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Dórea JG. Exposure to environmental neurotoxic substances and neurodevelopment in children from Latin America and the Caribbean. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 192:110199. [PMID: 32941839 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Environmental (and occupational) exposure to neurotoxic substances is a worldwide problem that can affect children's neurodevelopment (ND). In Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries there are over 300 million children living under the threat of neurodevelopmental delays due to toxic environmental exposure. Large industrial centers, intense mining and agricultural activities, along with changing complex ecosystems constitute a mosaic that drives contamination of air, water and the food chain. Neurotoxic contaminants such as pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and manganese fungicides), chemicals of industrial use (phthalates), and metals (Hg, Pb, Al, As, F, Cd, Mo, Mn) are at the center of environmental exposure studies. Exposure to neurotoxic substances singly or in combination with other compounds or socioeconomic stressors (maternal education, socio-economic and nutritional status) intertwined with occupational and para-occupational exposure can affect ND (motor, cognition, behavior) of children. Significant negative effects of pesticides and neurotoxic elements on ND were found in all studied countries, affecting especially the less-privileged children from laboring families. Studies showed that exposures to the neurotoxicants in human milk are secondary to their more lasting effects during prenatal exposure. This review integrates exposure (prenatal and breastfeeding), metabolism, and ND effects of neurotoxicants. It highlights the overwhelming evidence showing that current levels of exposures are hazardous and detrimental to children's ND in LAC countries. The evidence indicates that a reduction in neurotoxicant exposure is essential to protect children's ND. Therefore, it is urgent to adopt policies and actions that prevent and remediate region-specific children's ND issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- José G Dórea
- Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, 70919-970, DF, Brazil.
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Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Lee M, Zhang J, Hessabi M, Bressler J, Bach MA, Grove ML, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Beecher C, McLaughlin W, Loveland KA. Interaction between a Mixture of Heavy Metals (Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium, Manganese, Aluminum) and GSTP1, GSTT1, and GSTM1 in Relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2020; 79:101681. [PMID: 33193808 PMCID: PMC7664834 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to many environmental chemicals, including metals, often does not occur in isolation, hence requires assessment of the associations between exposure to mixtures of chemicals and human health. OBJECTIVES To investigate associations of a metal mixture of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), and aluminum (Al) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), additively or interactively with each of three glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes (GSTP1, GSTT1, and GSTM1). METHOD Using data from 266 case-control pairs of Jamaican children (2-8 years old), we fitted negative and positive generalized weighted quantile sum (gWQS) regression models to assess the aforementioned associations. RESULTS Based on additive and interactive negative gWQS models adjusted for maternal age, parental education, child's parish, and seafood consumption, we found inverse associations of the overall mixture score with ASD [MOR (95% CI): 0.70 (0.49, 0.99); P < 0.05) and [MOR (95%CI): 0.46 (0.25, 0.84); P = 0.01], respectively. In an unadjusted negative gWQS model, we found a marginally significant interaction between GSTP1 and a mixture of three metals (Pb, Hg, and Mn) (P = 0.07) while the association was no longer significant after adjustment for the same covariates (P = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS Differences in diet between ASD and control groups may play a role in the inverse associations we found. The possible interactive association between Mn and GSTP1 in ASD based on gWQS is consistent with our previous reports. However, possible interaction of GSTP1 with Pb and Hg in ASD requires further investigation and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H. Rahbar
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - MinJae Lee
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population & Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Manouchehr Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jan Bressler
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - MacKinsey A. Bach
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Megan L. Grove
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Compton Beecher
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Wayne McLaughlin
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
- Caribbean Genetics (CARIGEN), The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Katherine A. Loveland
- Louis A Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA
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18
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Zhang RY, Tu JB, Ran RT, Zhang WX, Tan Q, Tang P, Kuang T, Cheng SQ, Chen CZ, Jiang XJ, Chen C, Han TL, Zhang T, Cao XQ, Peng B, Zhang H, Xia YY. Using the Metabolome to Understand the Mechanisms Linking Chronic Arsenic Exposure to Microglia Activation, and Learning and Memory Impairment. Neurotox Res 2020; 39:720-739. [PMID: 32955723 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-020-00286-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The activation of microglia is a hallmark of neuroinflammation and contributes to various neurodegenerative diseases. Chronic inorganic arsenic exposure is associated with impaired cognitive ability and increased risk of neurodegeneration. The present study aimed to investigate whether chronic inorganic arsenic-induced learning and memory impairment was associated with microglial activation, and how organic (DMAV 600 μM, MMAV 0.1 μM) and inorganic arsenic (NaAsO2 0.6 μM) affect the microglia. Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into two groups: a control group and a group exposed to arsenic in their drinking water (50 mg/L NaAsO2 for 24 weeks). The Morris water maze was performed to analyze neuro-behavior and transmission electron microscopy was used to assess alterations in cellular ultra-structures. Hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Flow cytometry was used to reveal the polarization of the arsenic-treated microglia phenotype and GC-MS was used to assess metabolomic differences in the in vitro microglia BV-2 cell line model derived from mice. The results showed learning and memory impairments and activation of microglia in the cerebral cortex and dentate gyrus (DG) zone of the hippocampus, in mice chronically exposed to arsenic. Flow cytometry demonstrated that BV-2 cells were activated with the treatment of different arsenic species. The GC-MS data showed three important metabolites to be at different levels according to the different arsenic species used to treat the microglia. These included tyrosine, arachidonic acid, and citric acid. Metabolite pathway analysis showed that a metabolic pathways associated with tyrosine metabolism, the dopaminergic synapse, Parkinson's disease, and the citrate cycle were differentially affected when comparing exposure to organic arsenic and inorganic arsenic. Organic arsenic MMAV was predominantly pro-inflammatory, and inorganic arsenic exposure contributed to energy metabolism disruptions in BV-2 microglia. Our findings provide novel insight into understanding the neurotoxicity mechanisms of chronic arsenic exposure and reveal the changes of the metabolome in response to exposure to different arsenic species in the microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Yuan Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie-Bai Tu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui-Tu Ran
- Department of Urinary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Xuan Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Tan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Tang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Kuang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Qun Cheng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Zhi Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue-Jun Jiang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang Chen
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting-Li Han
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xian-Qing Cao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Peng
- Department of Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yin-Yin Xia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
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19
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Bach MA, Samms-Vaughan M, Hessabi M, Bressler J, Lee M, Zhang J, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Grove ML, Loveland KA, Rahbar MH. Association of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Organochlorine Pesticides with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Jamaican Children. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2020; 76:101587. [PMID: 32661462 PMCID: PMC7357892 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides are suspected to play a role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). OBJECTIVES To investigate associations of PCBs and OC pesticides with ASD in Jamaican children and explore possible interaction between PCBs or OC pesticides with glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes (GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1) in relation to ASD. METHODS Participants included n=169 age- and sex-matched case-control pairs of Jamaican children 2-8 years old. Socioeconomic status and food frequency data were self-reported by the parents/guardians. Blood from each participant was analyzed for 100 PCB congeners and 17 OC pesticides and genotyped for three GST genes. PCBs and OC pesticides concentrations below the limit of detection (LoD) were replaced with (LoD/√2). We used conditional logistic regression (CLR) models to assess associations of PCBs and OC pesticides with ASD, individually or interactively with GST genes (GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1). RESULTS We found inverse associations of PCB-153 [adjusted MOR (95% CI) = 0.44 (0.23-0.86)] and PCB-180 [adjusted MOR (95% CI) = 0.52 (0.28-0.95)] with ASD. When adjusted for covariates in a CLR the interaction between GSTM1 and PCB-153 became significant (P < 0.01). DISCUSSION Differences in diet between ASD and typically developing control groups may play a role in the observed findings of lower concentrations of PCB-153 and PCB-180 in individuals with ASD than in controls. Considering the limited sample size and high proportion of concentrations below the LoD, these results should be interpreted with caution but warrant further investigation into associations of PCBs and OC pesticides with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- MacKinsey A. Bach
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Manouchehr Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jan Bressler
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - MinJae Lee
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population & Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Megan L. Grove
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Katherine A. Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77054, USA
| | - Mohammad H. Rahbar
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Corresponding Author: Mohammad H. Rahbar, PhD, 6410 Fannin Street, Suite 1100.05, UT Professional Building, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Phone: (713)500-7901. Fax: (713)500-0766.
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20
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Zhang X, Zhong HQ, Chu ZW, Zuo X, Wang L, Ren XL, Ma H, Du RY, Ju JJ, Ye XL, Huang CP, Zhu JH, Wu HM. Arsenic induces transgenerational behavior disorders in Caenorhabditis elegans and its underlying mechanisms. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 252:126510. [PMID: 32203783 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to identify the effects of arsenic on behaviors in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and the transgenerational effects. The synchronized C. elegans (P generation) were exposed to 0, 0.2, 1.0, and 5.0 mM NaAsO2 and the subsequent generations (F1 and F2) were maintained on fresh nematode growth medium (NGM). The behaviors and growth were recorded at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h post synchronization. The results demonstrated that arsenic affected various indicators regarding the behavior (head thrash, body bend, movement speed, wavelength, amplitude and so on) and in general the effects started to accumulate from 24 h and lasted throughout the exposure. The behavior impairments were transgenerational with varying patterns, amongst the head thrash and body bend responded most sensitively though the responses gradually declined across generations. Arsenic exposure inhibited the growth (body length, body width, and body area) in P C. elegans from 24 h to 60 h, however there was no difference between treatments groups and the control at 72 h. Arsenic led to a dose-dependent degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in C. elegans, and inhibition of BAS-1 and CAT-2 expressions. The expressions of GCS-1, GSS-1, and SKN-1 were induced by arsenic exposure. Overall, chronic arsenic exposure impaired the behaviors and there were transgenerational effects. The head thrash and body bend responded most sensitively. Arsenic induced behavioral disorders might be attributed to degeneration of dopaminergic neurons which was associated with oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiong Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics and Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Hai-Qing Zhong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Zhong-Wei Chu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Xiang Zuo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, 014030, China
| | - Xiao-Li Ren
- Laboratory Animal Center, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Hao Ma
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Ruo-Yi Du
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Jing-Juan Ju
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Xiao-Lei Ye
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Chen-Ping Huang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Jian-Hong Zhu
- Department of Geriatrics and Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China.
| | - Hong-Mei Wu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China.
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21
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Neaman A, Valenzuela P, Tapia-Gatica J, Selles I, Novoselov AA, Dovletyarova EA, Yáñez C, Krutyakov YA, Stuckey JW. Chilean regulations on metal-polluted soils: The need to advance from adapting foreign laws towards developing sovereign legislation. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 185:109429. [PMID: 32244109 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Chile as a major international Cu producer faces serious soil contamination issues in mining areas. Currently Chile does not have any specific law governing the maximum permissible concentrations of metals in soils to protect ecosystems and human health. Chile heavily relies on the use of environmental laws of 14 foreign countries; the choice of the country depends on the similarity of its environmental conditions with those in Chile. In this study, we used an online database to compare the similarity of Chilean rocks to those in foreign countries. Likewise, we performed soil sampling and determined the background concentrations of Cu, As, Pb, and Zn in soils of the Aconcagua basin, the largest river basin in the Valparaiso Region of central Chile. The results showed that geochemical patterns in Chile have the greatest resemblance to New Zealand, Mexico, and Italy. The background Cu concentration in the Aconcagua basin (134 mg kg-1) exceeded the legislated limits of New Zealand (100 mg kg-1) and Italy (120 mg kg-1), whereas the background Zn concentration (200 mg kg-1) exceeded the legislated limit of Italy (150 mg kg-1). Due to the elevated natural abundance of Cu and Zn in Chile, international laws should not be applied in Chile for the assessment of soil contamination. In addition, we assessed ecological risk using the results of our previous studies obtained by analyzing native field-contaminated soils of the Valparaiso region. In the Aconcagua basin, Cu posed high risk for plants in 11% of the samples, whereas As posed high risk for earthworms in 48% of the samples. We suggest that future studies are required to search for other organisms that can serve as biomarkers of metal toxicity because our previous studies were limited to plants and earthworms. Importantly, As posed high risk to human health in 25% of the samples in our study. There is a need for future studies to demonstrate empirically an association between soil As and children's blood As in order to establish the national threshold values of soil As to protect human health. We conclude that there is an urgent need in Chile to advance from the current approach of adapting foreign laws to developing Chilean sovereign environmental legislation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Neaman
- Escuela de Ciencias Agrícolas y Veterinarias, Universidad Viña del Mar, Viña del Mar, Chile.
| | - Patricio Valenzuela
- Departamento de Sistemas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Tapia-Gatica
- Doctorado en Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota, Chile
| | - Iván Selles
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexey A Novoselov
- Instituto de Geología Económica Aplicada, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Elvira A Dovletyarova
- Department of Landscape Design and Sustainable Ecosystems, RUDN University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Carolina Yáñez
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Yurii A Krutyakov
- National Research Center Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia; Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Jason W Stuckey
- Biology Department and Environmental Science Program, Multnomah University, Portland, OR, USA
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22
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Wang M, Hossain F, Sulaiman R, Ren X. Exposure to Inorganic Arsenic and Lead and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Chem Res Toxicol 2019; 32:1904-1919. [PMID: 31549506 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Inorganic arsenic (iAs) and lead (Pb) rank first and second on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's priority list of hazardous substances. Both are known neurotoxic metals that cause detrimental effects on brain development and lead to deficits in cognitive function and behavioral performance in children. Studies have indicated a potential link between iAs and Pb exposure and a higher risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To provide further insight into whether developmental exposure to iAs or Pb is associated with ASD, we conducted a systematic review and combined data into a meta-analysis to evaluate the available human evidence on the relationships. We systematically reviewed relevant studies published through December 30, 2018 and identified 14 studies on iAs and 37 studies on Pb exposure and their respective associations with ASD. Among them, 8 (53.3%) and 19 (51.3%) studies reported a positive association for iAs and Pb, respectively, and none reported a sole inverse association. In the following meta-analysis, we found statistically significant higher iAs concentrations, in hair and in blood, for children diagnosed with ASD compared with controls across studies. However, the findings on Pb exposure were inconsistent, with a significant association for hair Pb, no association for urinary Pb, and an inverse association for blood Pb. After considering strengths and limitations of the body of research, we concluded that there is consistent evidence supporting a positive association between early life iAs exposure and diagnosis of ASD and inconsistent evidence for Pb exposure and ASD risk. We believe it is in the best interest of policy makers and the public to reduce exposures to iAs and Pb among pregnant women and children. Further, our research supports the need for large perspective human studies with accurate measurement and determination of the long-term body burden of iAs and Pb exposures to assess the impact of iAs and Pb exposures on ASD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- Research and Education in Energy, Environment and Water Institute , University at Buffalo , Buffalo , New York 14260 , United States
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23
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Lamela PA, Navoni JA, Pérez RD, Pérez CA, Vodopivez CL, Curtosi A, Bongiovanni GA. Analysis of occurrence, bioaccumulation and molecular targets of arsenic and other selected volcanic elements in Argentinean Patagonia and Antarctic ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 681:379-391. [PMID: 31108358 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In Latin America, the high proportion of arsenic (As) in many groundwaters and phreatic aquifers is related to the volcanism of the Andean Range. Nevertheless, there is still very little published research on As and other elements occurrence, and/or transference to biota in Southern regions such as Argentinean Patagonia and the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica, where there are active volcanoes and geothermal processes. Therefore, this study was aimed to describe water quality from the main rivers of Argentinean Northern Patagonia through physicochemical analysis. The Patagonian and Antarctic biota (including samples of animal, plants, algae and bacteria) was characterized through the analysis of their As and other elemental concentrations (P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Se, Br, Rb and Sr), by synchrotron radiation x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SRXRF). Finally, the analysis of metal and As-proteins associations in As-accumulating organisms was performed by SRXRF after sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). A wide range of metal concentration including As (up to 950 μg/L As) was found in water samples from Patagonian rivers. A hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that the elemental concentration of analysed biological samples was related to volcanic environments and their place in the trophic chain. Moreover, the results suggest that Se, Co, Cu, Br, and Cl are strong predictors of As in biota. On the other hand, As was not detected in proteins from the studied samples, suggesting biotransformation into soluble As-organic compounds. This is the first study to describe environmental pollution as a consequence of active volcanism, and its influence on water quality and elemental composition of biota in Argentinean Northern Patagonia and Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula A Lamela
- PROBIEN (Institute of Research and Development in Process Engineering, Biotechnology and Alternative Energies), CONICET-CCT Northern Patagonia, National University of Comahue, Neuquén, Argentina
| | - Julio A Navoni
- PRODEMA (Post-Graduate Program in Development and Environment, Biosciences Center), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil; PPgUSRN (Post-Graduate Program in Sustainable Use of Natural Resources), Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Roberto D Pérez
- IFEG (Institute of Physic Enrique Gaviola), CONICET-UNC, School of Mathematics, Astronomy and Physics, National University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Carlos A Pérez
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Antonio Curtosi
- IAA (Argentinean Antarctic Institute), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guillermina A Bongiovanni
- PROBIEN (Institute of Research and Development in Process Engineering, Biotechnology and Alternative Energies), CONICET-CCT Northern Patagonia, National University of Comahue, Neuquén, Argentina; School of Agricultural Sciences, National University of Comahue, Río Negro, Argentina.
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24
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Christian MA, Samms-Vaughan M, Lee M, Bressler J, Hessabi M, Grove ML, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Coore Desai C, Reece JA, Loveland KA, Boerwinkle E, Rahbar MH. Maternal Exposures Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Jamaican Children. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 48:2766-2778. [PMID: 29549549 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3537-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with poorly understood etiology. Many maternal exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding potentially interfere with neurodevelopment. Using data from two age- and sex-matched case-control studies in Jamaica (n = 298 pairs), results of conditional logistic regression analyses suggest that maternal exposures to fever or infection (matched odds ratio (MOR) = 3.12, 95% CI 1.74-5.60), physical trauma (MOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.01-4.05), and oil-based paints (MOR 1.99, 95% CI 1.14-3.46) may be associated with ASD. Additionally, maternal exposure to oil-based paints may modify the relationship between maternal exposure to pesticides and ASD, which deepens our understanding of the association between pesticides and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- MacKinsey A Christian
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - MinJae Lee
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jan Bressler
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Manouchehr Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Megan L Grove
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Charlene Coore Desai
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Jody-Ann Reece
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Katherine A Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mohammad H Rahbar
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. .,Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. .,Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA.
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25
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Hessabi M, Rahbar MH, Dobrescu I, Bach MA, Kobylinska L, Bressler J, Grove ML, Loveland KA, Mihailescu I, Nedelcu MC, Moisescu MG, Matei BM, Matei CO, Rad F. Concentrations of Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium, Manganese, and Aluminum in Blood of Romanian Children Suspected of Having Autism Spectrum Disorder. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E2303. [PMID: 31261817 PMCID: PMC6651707 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16132303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Environmental exposure to lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), and aluminum (Al) has been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We conducted a pilot study during May 2015-May 2107 to estimate blood concentrations of six metals (Pb, Hg, As, Cd, Mn, and Al) and identify their associated factors for children with ASD or suspected of having ASD in Romania. Sixty children, age 2-8 years, were administered versions of ADOS or ADI-R translated from English to Romanian. After assessment, 2-3 mL of blood was obtained and analyzed for the concentrations of the six metals. The mean age of children was 51.9 months and about 90% were male. More than half (65%) of the children were born in Bucharest. Over 90% of concentrations of As and Cd were below limits of detection. Geometric mean concentrations of Pb, Mn, Al, and Hg were 1.14 μg/dL, 10.84 μg/L, 14.44 μg/L, and 0.35 μg/L, respectively. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that children who were female, had less educated parents, exhibited pica, and ate cold breakfast (e.g., cereal), watermelon, and lamb had significantly higher concentrations of Pb compared to their respective referent categories (all p < 0.05 except for eating lamb, which was marginally significant, p = 0.053). Although this is the first study that provides data on concentrations of the six metals for Romanian children with ASD, the findings from this study could be useful for designing future epidemiologic studies for investigating the role of these six metals in ASD in Romanian children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manouchehr Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mohammad H Rahbar
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Iuliana Dobrescu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Carol Davila, Psychiatry Clinical Hospital Alexandru Obregia, Bucharest, sector 4, 041914, Romania
| | - MacKinsey A Bach
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Liana Kobylinska
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Carol Davila, Psychiatry Clinical Hospital Alexandru Obregia, Bucharest, sector 4, 041914, Romania
| | - Jan Bressler
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Megan L Grove
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Katherine A Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Ilinca Mihailescu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Carol Davila, Psychiatry Clinical Hospital Alexandru Obregia, Bucharest, sector 4, 041914, Romania
| | - Maria Cristina Nedelcu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Carol Davila, Psychiatry Clinical Hospital Alexandru Obregia, Bucharest, sector 4, 041914, Romania
| | - Mihaela Georgeta Moisescu
- Department of Biophysics and Cellular Biotechnology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Carol Davila, Bucharest, sector 5, 050747, Romania
| | - Bogdan Mircea Matei
- Department of Biophysics and Cellular Biotechnology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Carol Davila, Bucharest, sector 5, 050747, Romania
| | - Christien Oktaviani Matei
- Department of Biophysics and Cellular Biotechnology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Carol Davila, Bucharest, sector 5, 050747, Romania
| | - Florina Rad
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Carol Davila, Psychiatry Clinical Hospital Alexandru Obregia, Bucharest, sector 4, 041914, Romania.
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Lee M, Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Bressler J, Bach MA, Hessabi M, Grove ML, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Coore Desai C, Reece JA, Loveland KA, Boerwinkle E. A generalized weighted quantile sum approach for analyzing correlated data in the presence of interactions. Biom J 2019; 61:934-954. [PMID: 31058353 DOI: 10.1002/bimj.201800259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression has been used to assess the associations between environmental exposures and health outcomes. However, the currently available WQS approach, which is based on additive effects, does not allow exploring for potential interactions of exposures with other covariates in relation to a health outcome. In addition, the current WQS cannot account for clustering, thus it may not be valid for analysis of clustered data. We propose a generalized WQS approach that can assess interactions by estimating stratum-specific weights of exposures in a mixture, while accounting for potential clustering effect of matched pairs of cases and controls as well as censored exposure data due to being below the limits of detection. The performance of the proposed method in identifying interactions is evaluated through simulations based on various scenarios of correlation structures among the exposures and with an outcome. We also assess how well the proposed method performs in the presence of the varying levels of censoring in exposures. Our findings from the simulation study show that the proposed method outperforms the traditional WQS, as indicated by higher power of detecting interactions. We also find no strong evidence that the proposed method falsely identifies interactions when there are no true interactive effects. We demonstrate application of the proposed method to real data from the Epidemiological Research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Jamaica (ERAJ) by examining interactions between exposure to manganese and glutathione S-transferase family gene, GSTP1 in relation to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- MinJae Lee
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mohammad H Rahbar
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Jan Bressler
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - MacKinsey A Bach
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Manouchehr Hessabi
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Megan L Grove
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Jody-Ann Reece
- The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | | | - Eric Boerwinkle
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Lee M, Christian MA, Bressler J, Hessabi M, Grove ML, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Desai CC, Reece JA, Loveland KA, Beecher C, McLaughlin W, Boerwinkle E. Interaction between manganese and GSTP1 in relation to autism spectrum disorder while controlling for exposure to mixture of lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2018; 55:50-63. [PMID: 30930959 PMCID: PMC6434704 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously reported a significant interactive association between polymorphisms of GSTP1 and blood manganese concentrations (BMC) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Jamaican children. In this paper, we investigate the same interactive association with ASD while adjusting for the mixture of four metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic). METHOD We used data from 163 case-control pairs of children 2-8 years of age from our autism project in Jamaica, in which we collected blood for heavy metals analysis at enrollment. To minimize potential multicollinearity between concentrations of the four metals, we generated a mixture index using generalized weighted quantile sum regression, which was used in conditional logistic regression models to control for the four metals while assessing the interactive association between GSTP1 and BMC with ASD. RESULTS Similar to the findings we reported previously, we found that in co-dominant and dominant models for GSTP1, among children with the Ile/Ile genotype, those with BMC > 12μg/L had 4.6 and 4.27 times higher odds of ASD compared to those with BMC < 12μg/L (adjusted Matched Odds Ratio (MOR) = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.21 - 17.42 and adjusted MOR = 4.27, 95% CI: 1.15 - 15.85, respectively). In the co-dominant model, for children with the Ile/Val and Val/Val genotypes, the adjusted MORs were 1.26 (95% CI: 0.32, 5.01) and 0.26 (95% CI: 0.05, 1.42), respectively. CONCLUSIONS After adjusting for the mixture of four metals, the interactive association of BMC and GSTP1 with ASD remained significant with similar magnitude of associations. Results should be interpreted cautiously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H. Rahbar
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School,
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences
(CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston,
Jamaica
| | - MinJae Lee
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School,
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences
(CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - MacKinsey A. Christian
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences
(CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jan Bressler
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of
Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Manouchehr Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences
(CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Megan L. Grove
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of
Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | | - Charlene Coore Desai
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston,
Jamaica
| | - Jody-Ann Reece
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston,
Jamaica
| | - Katherine A. Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health
Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77054, USA
| | - Compton Beecher
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Wayne McLaughlin
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
- Caribbean Genetics (CARIGEN),The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of
Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Bjørklund G, Skalny AV, Rahman MM, Dadar M, Yassa HA, Aaseth J, Chirumbolo S, Skalnaya MG, Tinkov AA. Toxic metal(loid)-based pollutants and their possible role in autism spectrum disorder. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 166:234-250. [PMID: 29902778 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and stereotypic behaviors. Many studies support a significant relationship between many different environmental factors in ASD etiology. These factors include increased daily exposure to various toxic metal-based environmental pollutants, which represent a cause for concern in public health. This article reviews the most relevant toxic metals, commonly found, environmental pollutants, i.e., lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), aluminum (Al), and the metalloid arsenic (As). Additionally, it discusses how pollutants can be a possible pathogenetic cause of ASD through various mechanisms including neuroinflammation in different regions of the brain, fundamentally occurring through elevation of the proinflammatory profile of cytokines and aberrant expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Due to the worldwide increase in toxic environmental pollution, studies on the role of pollutants in neurodevelopmental disorders, including direct effects on the developing brain and the subjects' genetic susceptibility and polymorphism, are of utmost importance to achieve the best therapeutic approach and preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | - Anatoly V Skalny
- Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia; Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia; All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Moscow, Russia
| | - Md Mostafizur Rahman
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Maryam Dadar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Heba A Yassa
- Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Jan Aaseth
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway; Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Alexey A Tinkov
- Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia; Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia
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Dickerson AS, Rotem RS, Christian MA, Nguyen VT, Specht AJ. Potential Sex Differences Relative to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Metals. Curr Environ Health Rep 2018; 4:405-414. [PMID: 28988324 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-017-0164-x] [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] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This study aims to summarize the current body of literature on the relationship between various toxic metals exposures (i.e., aluminum, antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a focus on potential sex differences in these associations. RECENT FINDINGS Sex differences in ASD diagnosis and mutagenic effects of toxic exposures indicate that sex differences may play a major part in the causal relationship of any potential associations seen; however, we were only able to find three studies that reported on sex differences in observed associations with toxic metals exposure and ASD. We also found several studies investigating associations between ASD and metals exposures, including 11 on aluminum, 6 on antimony, 15 on arsenic, 5 on beryllium, 17 on cadmium, 11 on chromium, 25 on lead, 14 on manganese, and 13 on nickel with markers of exposure in hair, urine, blood, teeth, fingernails, and air pollution. Results for each metal were conflicting, but studies on cadmium and lead yielded the highest proportion of studies with positive results (72% and 36%, respectively). Based on our examination of existing literature, the current evidence warrants a considerable need for evaluations of sex differences in future studies assessing the association between metals exposures and ASD. Additionally, failure to account for potential sex differences could result in bias and misinterpretation of exposure-disease relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha S Dickerson
- Departments of Epidemiology and Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. .,Environmental and Occupation Medicine and Epidemiology Division of the Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Street, Landmark Center L3-125, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ran S Rotem
- Department Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - MacKinsey A Christian
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, and Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Vy T Nguyen
- Department Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Aaron J Specht
- Department Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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Li H, Li H, Li Y, Liu Y, Zhao Z. Blood Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Trace Elem Res 2018; 181:31-37. [PMID: 28480499 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-017-1002-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Environmental factors have been implicated in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the role of heavy metals has not been fully defined. This study investigated whether blood levels of mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead of children with ASD significantly differ from those of age- and sex-matched controls. One hundred eighty unrelated children with ASD and 184 healthy controls were recruited. Data showed that the children with ASD had significantly (p < 0.001) higher levels of mercury and arsenic and a lower level of cadmium. The levels of lead did not differ significantly between the groups. The results of this study are consistent with numerous previous studies, supporting an important role for heavy metal exposure, particularly mercury, in the etiology of ASD. It is desirable to continue future research into the relationship between ASD and heavy metal exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huamei Li
- Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Li
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, StVincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research and University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yun Li
- Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujie Liu
- Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengyan Zhao
- Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Pediatric Health Care, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 57 Zhuganxiang Road, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China, 310003.
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A comparison of arsenic exposure in young children and home water arsenic in two rural West Texas communities. BMC Public Health 2017; 17:850. [PMID: 29078766 PMCID: PMC5659039 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4808-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In a previously conducted Health Impact Assessment of a well-water dependent southwest community, arsenic (As) levels greater than the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (10 μg/L) were identified in home water samples. The goals of this study were to test whether children from the previously studied well-water dependent community (Community 1) had higher blood As levels than children from a demographically similar and geographically nearby community dependent on a municipal water supply (Community 2); to test whether home water As levels predicted child As blood levels; and to examine how child As blood levels changed over time. Methods This was an observational study of 252 children aged 4 to 12 years from two communities. Children were recruited through elementary schools and tested during the school day; 204 children participated in follow-up testing. Home water samples were collected according to U.S. Environmental Protection agency recommended procedures. Child heavy metal blood levels and home water sample heavy metal levels were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. General linear regression analysis was used to test the influence of community on child As levels, and to examine the contribution of home water As levels to child blood As levels. Results Arsenic was detectable in all children tested. Blood levels ranged from 0.09–2.61 μg/dL; approximately 31% of children tested at Time I (79/252) had blood As values above the current acceptable limit (1.2 μg/dL). Approximately 8% of household water samples (6/76) had As levels higher than 10 μg/L. Community did not predict child blood As levels; seasonal effects differed by Community. At Time II, child blood As levels were higher in Community 2 than in Community 1. Conclusion A large proportion of children in the communities tested had As exposure. Home water As levels did not predict child blood As levels. Fluctuating child blood As levels by season and over time suggested the contribution of multiple factors and the need for further studies.
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Saghazadeh A, Ahangari N, Hendi K, Saleh F, Rezaei N. Status of essential elements in autism spectrum disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis. Rev Neurosci 2017; 28:783-809. [DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2017-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that imposes heavy financial burden on governments and families of affected children. It is considered a multifactorial condition, where trace elements are among environmental factors that may contribute to ASD. Meanwhile, the between-study variance is high. The present systematic review was designed to investigate the difference in trace element measures between patients with ASD and control subjects. Meta-analyses showed that the hair concentrations of chromium (p=0.024), cobalt (p=0.012), iodine (p=0.000), iron (p=0.017), and magnesium (p=0.007) in ASD patients were significantly lower than those of control subjects, while there were higher magnesium levels in the hair of ASD patients compared to that of controls (p=0.010). Patients with ASD had higher blood levels of copper (p=0.000) and lower levels of zinc compared to controls (p=0.021). Further urinary iodine levels in patients with ASD were decreased in comparison with controls (p=0.026). Sensitivity analyses showed that ASD patients in non-Asian but not in Asian countries had lower hair concentrations of chromium compared to controls. Also, such analyses indicated that ASD patients in Asian countries had lower hair zinc concentrations, whereas ASD patients in non-Asian countries had higher hair zinc concentrations in comparison with control subjects. This study found significant differences in the content of trace elements between patients with ASD compared to controls. The findings help highlighting the role of trace elements as environmental factors in the etiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amene Saghazadeh
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd., Tehran 14194, Iran
- MetaCognition Interest Group (MCIG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 14194, Iran
| | - Narges Ahangari
- NeuroImmunology Research Association (NIRA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 14194, Iran
| | - Kasra Hendi
- NeuroImmunology Research Association (NIRA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 14194, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Saleh
- NeuroImmunology Research Association (NIRA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 14194, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd., Tehran 14194, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14194, Iran
- Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Boston, MA, USA
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Saghazadeh A, Rezaei N. Systematic review and meta-analysis links autism and toxic metals and highlights the impact of country development status: Higher blood and erythrocyte levels for mercury and lead, and higher hair antimony, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017; 79:340-368. [PMID: 28716727 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that affects cognitive and higher cognitive functions. Increasing prevalence of ASD and high rates of related comorbidities has caused serious health loss and placed an onerous burden on the supporting families, caregivers, and health care services. Heavy metals are among environmental factors that may contribute to ASD. However, due to inconsistencies across studies, it is still hard to explain the association between ASD and toxic metals. Therefore the objective of this study was to investigate the difference in heavy metal measures between patients with ASD and control subjects. METHODS We included observational studies that measured levels of toxic metals (antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, silver, and thallium) in different specimens (whole blood, plasma, serum, red cells, hair and urine) for patients with ASD and for controls. The main electronic medical database (PubMed and Scopus) were searched from inception through October 2016. RESULTS 52 studies were eligible to be included in the present systematic review, of which 48 studies were included in the meta-analyses. The hair concentrations of antimony (standardized mean difference (SMD)=0.24; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03 to 0.45) and lead (SMD=0.60; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17 to 1.03) in ASD patients were significantly higher than those of control subjects. ASD patients had higher erythrocyte levels of lead (SMD=1.55, CI: 0.2 to 2.89) and mercury (SMD=1.56, CI: 0.42 to 2.70). There were significantly higher blood lead levels in ASD patients (SMD=0.43, CI: 0.02 to 0.85). Sensitivity analyses showed that ASD patients in developed but not in developing countries have lower hair concentrations of cadmium (SMD=-0.29, CI: -0.46 to -0.12). Also, such analyses indicated that ASD patients in developing but not in developed lands have higher hair concentrations of lead (SMD=1.58, CI: 0.80 to 2.36) and mercury (SMD=0.77, CI: 0.31 to 1.23). These findings were confirmed by meta-regression analyses indicating that development status of countries significantly influences the overall effect size of mean difference for hair arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury between patients with ASD and controls. CONCLUSION The findings help highlighting the role of toxic metals as environmental factors in the etiology of ASD, especially in developing lands. While there are environmental factors other than toxic metals that greatly contribute to the etiology of ASD in developed lands. It would be, thus, expected that classification of ASD includes etiological entities of ASD on the basis of implication of industrial pollutants (developed vs. developing ASD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amene Saghazadeh
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; MetaCognition Interest Group (MCIG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Boston, MA, USA.
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Samms-Vaughan M, Rahbar MH, Dickerson AS, Loveland KA, Hessabi M, Pearson DA, Bressler J, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Grove ML, Coore-Desai C, Reece J, Boerwinkle E. The diagnosis of autism and autism spectrum disorder in low- and middle-income countries: Experience from Jamaica. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2017; 21:564-572. [PMID: 28367671 DOI: 10.1177/1362361317698938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The administration requirements of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, widely used in high-income countries, make them less feasible for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in low- and middle-income countries. The flexible administration requirements of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale have resulted in its use in both high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries. This study examines the agreement between assessments using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale with those using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule or Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised in Jamaica. Children aged 2-8 years (n = 149) diagnosed with autism by an experienced clinician using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale were re-evaluated using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. The proportion diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition, and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised was determined and mean domain scores compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The mean age was 64.4 (standard deviation = 21.6) months; the male:female ratio was 6:1. The diagnostic agreement of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition was 100.0% and 98.0%, respectively. Agreement with the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised was 94.6%. Domain scores were highest for children with more severe symptoms (p < 0.01). Despite a high level of agreement of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition, and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale should be evaluated further with a broader range of autism spectrum disorder symptomatology, and by clinicians with varying experience before recommendation for use in low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jan Bressler
- 2 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, USA
| | | | - Megan L Grove
- 2 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, USA
| | | | - Jody Reece
- 1 The University of the West Indies, Jamaica
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- 2 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, USA
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Role of Metabolic Genes in Blood Aluminum Concentrations of Jamaican Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:ijerph13111095. [PMID: 27834815 PMCID: PMC5129305 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13111095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Aluminum is a neurotoxic metal with known health effects in animals and humans. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes and enzymes play a major role in detoxification of several heavy metals. Besides a direct relationship with oxidative stress; aluminum decreases GST enzyme activities. Using data from 116 Jamaican children; age 2–8 years; with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and 116 sex- and age-matched typically developing (TD) children; we investigated the association of polymorphisms in three GST genes (GSTP1; GSTM1; and GSTT1) with mean blood aluminum concentrations in children with and without ASD. Using log-transformed blood aluminum concentration as the dependent variable in a linear regression model; we assessed the additive and interactive effects of ASD status and polymorphisms in the three aforementioned GST genes in relation to blood aluminum concentrations. Although none of the additive effects were statistically significant (all p > 0.16); we observed a marginally significant interaction between GSTP1 Ile105Val (rs1695) and ASD status (p = 0.07); even after controlling for parental education level and consumption of avocado; root vegetables; and tuna (canned fish). Our findings indicate a significantly lower (p < 0.03) adjusted geometric mean blood aluminum concentration for TD children who had the Val/Val genotype (14.57 µg/L); compared with those with Ile/Ile or Ile/Val genotypes who had an adjusted geometric mean of 23.75 µg/L. However; this difference was not statistically significant among the ASD cases (p = 0.76). Our findings indicate that ASD status may be a potential effect modifier when assessing the association between GSTP1 rs1695 and blood aluminum concentrations among Jamaican children. These findings require replication in other populations.
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Xu C, Tang M, Zhu S, Naranmandura H, Liu W. Assessment of arsenic in colostrum and cord serum and risk exposure to neonates from an island population in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:22467-22476. [PMID: 27549238 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7265-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) has been proven to be highly toxic to humans, but limited attention has focused on exposure levels and potential risks to mother-neonate pairs of coastal populations. This study was conducted by examining the As concentration in colostrum and umbilical cord serum collected from 106 mother-neonate pairs living on Shengsi Island, facing the Yangtze River estuary and Hangzhou Bay in China. Average concentrations of total As in colostrum and cord serum were 18.51 ± 7.00 and 19.83 ± 10.50 μg L-1. One-way ANOVA analysis showed delivered ages and source of drinking water played significant roles in influencing the maternal exposure patterns. Correlation analysis indicated a significantly positive association between As concentrations in colostrum and cord serum. Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for other confounders clarified the dose-response relationship with a coefficient value of 0.23 and a 95 % confidence interval of (0.006, 0.492); p < 0.05. The calculated daily intake of total As for neonates through breastfeeding was in the range from 0.413 to 3.65 μg kg-1 body weight, and colostrum As, especially the most toxic species, inorganic arsenic (iAs), would pose a risk to neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenye Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Mengling Tang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Siyu Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hua Naranmandura
- Department of Toxicology, School of Medicine and Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Weiping Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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Dickerson AS, Rahbar MH, Bakian AV, Bilder DA, Harrington RA, Pettygrove S, Kirby RS, Durkin MS, Han I, Moyé LA, Pearson DA, Wingate MS, Zahorodny WM. Autism spectrum disorder prevalence and associations with air concentrations of lead, mercury, and arsenic. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2016; 188:407. [PMID: 27301968 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-016-5405-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Lead, mercury, and arsenic are neurotoxicants with known effects on neurodevelopment. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder apparent by early childhood. Using data on 4486 children with ASD residing in 2489 census tracts in five sites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, we used multi-level negative binomial models to investigate if ambient lead, mercury, and arsenic concentrations, as measured by the US Environmental Protection Agency National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment (EPA-NATA), were associated with ASD prevalence. In unadjusted analyses, ambient metal concentrations were negatively associated with ASD prevalence. After adjusting for confounding factors, tracts with air concentrations of lead in the highest quartile had significantly higher ASD prevalence than tracts with lead concentrations in the lowest quartile (prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.36; 95 '% CI: 1.18, 1.57). In addition, tracts with mercury concentrations above the 75th percentile (>1.7 ng/m(3)) and arsenic concentrations below the 75th percentile (≤0.13 ng/m(3)) had a significantly higher ASD prevalence (adjusted RR = 1.20; 95 % CI: 1.03, 1.40) compared to tracts with arsenic, lead, and mercury concentrations below the 75th percentile. Our results suggest a possible association between ambient lead concentrations and ASD prevalence and demonstrate that exposure to multiple metals may have synergistic effects on ASD prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha S Dickerson
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6410 Fannin Street, UT Professional Building Suite 1100.05, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Mohammad H Rahbar
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6410 Fannin Street, UT Professional Building Suite 1100.05, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Amanda V Bakian
- Division of Child Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
| | - Deborah A Bilder
- Division of Child Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
| | - Rebecca A Harrington
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sydney Pettygrove
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Russell S Kirby
- Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Maureen S Durkin
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53726, USA
| | - Inkyu Han
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Lemuel A Moyé
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Deborah A Pearson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Martha Slay Wingate
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Walter M Zahorodny
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
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Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Ma J, Bressler J, Dickerson AS, Hessabi M, Loveland KA, Grove ML, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Beecher C, McLaughlin W, Boerwinkle E. Synergic effect of GSTP1 and blood manganese concentrations in Autism Spectrum Disorder. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2015; 18:73-82. [PMID: 26309447 PMCID: PMC4542005 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
We used data from 100 age- and sex-matched case-control pairs (age 2-8 years) from Jamaica to investigate whether there is an interaction between glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes and blood manganese concentrations (BMC) in relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our findings, indicate that among children who had the Ile/Ile genotype for GST pi 1 (GSTP1), those with BMC ≥ 12µg/L had about 4 times higher odds of ASD than those with BMC < 12µg/L, (P=0.03) under a co-dominant genetic model. After adjusting for potential confounders, among the subgroup of children with genotype Ile/Ile, those with BMC ≥ 12µg/L had about six times higher odds of ASD than those with BMC < 12µg/L, (P=0.04). The results were similar when a recessive genetic model was used. These findings suggest a possible synergic effect of BMC and GSTP1 in ASD. Since our analysis included a variety of genetic models and was not adjusted for multiple testing, replication in other populations is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H. Rahbar
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030,USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Jianzhong Ma
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jan Bressler
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Aisha S. Dickerson
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Manouchehr Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Katherine A. Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Megan L. Grove
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Compton Beecher
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Wayne McLaughlin
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
- Caribbean Genetics (CARIGEN), The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Concentration of lead, mercury, cadmium, aluminum, arsenic and manganese in umbilical cord blood of Jamaican newborns. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:4481-501. [PMID: 25915835 PMCID: PMC4454921 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120504481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to characterize the concentrations of lead, mercury, cadmium, aluminum, and manganese in umbilical cord blood of Jamaican newborns and to explore the possible association between concentrations of these elements and certain birth outcomes. Based on data from 100 pregnant mothers and their 100 newborns who were enrolled from Jamaica in 2011, the arithmetic mean (standard deviation) concentrations of cord blood lead, mercury, aluminum, and manganese were 0.8 (1.3 μg/dL), 4.4 (2.4 μg/L), 10.9 (9.2 μg/L), and 43.7 (17.7 μg/L), respectively. In univariable General Linear Models, the geometric mean cord blood aluminum concentration was higher for children whose mothers had completed their education up to high school compared to those whose mothers had any education beyond high school (12.2 μg/L vs. 6.4 μg/L; p < 0.01). After controlling for maternal education level and socio-economic status (through ownership of a family car), the cord blood lead concentration was significantly associated with head circumference (adjusted p < 0.01). Our results not only provide levels of arsenic and the aforementioned metals in cord blood that could serve as a reference for the Jamaican population, but also replicate previously reported significant associations between cord blood lead concentrations and head circumference at birth in other populations.
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Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Ma J, Bressler J, Loveland KA, Hessabi M, Dickerson AS, Grove ML, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Beecher C, McLaughlin W, Boerwinkle E. Interaction between GSTT1 and GSTP1 allele variants as a risk modulating-factor for autism spectrum disorders. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2015; 12:1-9. [PMID: 25685181 PMCID: PMC4322427 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2014.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the role of glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We used data from 111 pairs of age- and sex-matched ASD cases and typically developing (TD) controls between 2-8 years of age from Jamaica to investigate the role of GST pi 1 (GSTP1), GST theta 1 (GSTT1), and GST mu 1 (GSTM1) polymorphisms in susceptibility to ASD. In univariable conditional logistic regression models we did not observe significant associations between ASD status and GSTT1, GSTM1, or GSTP1 genotype (all P > 0.15). However, in multivariable conditional logistic regression models, we identified a significant interaction between GSTP1 and GSTT1 in relation to ASD. Specifically, in children heterozygous for the GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism, the odds of ASD was significantly higher in those with the null GSTT1 genotype than those with the other genotypes [Matched Odds Ratio (MOR) = 2.97, 95% CI (1.09, 8.01), P = 0.03]. Replication in other populations is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H. Rahbar
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, and Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, and Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Jianzhong Ma
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, and Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jan Bressler
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Katherine A. Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas 77054, USA
| | - Manouchehr Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Aisha S. Dickerson
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Megan L. Grove
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | | - Compton Beecher
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Wayne McLaughlin
- Caribbean Genetics (CARIGEN), The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, and Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Dickerson AS, Loveland KA, Ardjomand-Hessabi M, Bressler J, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Grove ML, Boerwinkle E. Factors associated with blood lead concentrations of children in Jamaica. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2015; 50:529-39. [PMID: 25837555 PMCID: PMC4659644 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2015.994932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Lead is a heavy metal known to be detrimental to neurologic, physiologic, and behavioral health of children. Previous studies from Jamaica reported that mean lead levels in soil are four times that of lead levels in some other parts of the world. Other studies detected lead levels in fruits and root vegetables, which were grown in areas with lead contaminated soil. In this study, we investigate environmental factors associated with blood lead concentrations in Jamaican children. The participants in this study comprised 125 typically developing (TD) children (ages 2-8 years) who served as controls in an age- and sex-matched case-control study that enrolled children from 2009-2012 in Jamaica. We administered a questionnaire to assess demographic and socioeconomic information as well as potential exposures to lead through food. Using General Linear Models (GLMs), we identified factors associated with blood lead concentrations in Jamaican children. The geometric mean blood lead concentration (GMBLC) in the sample of children in this study was 2.80 μg dL(-1). In univariable GLM analyses, GMBLC was higher for children whose parents did not have education beyond high school compared to those whose parents had attained this level (3.00 μg dL(-1) vs. 2.31 μg dL(-1); P = 0.05), children living near a high traffic road compared to those who did not (3.43 μg dL(-1) vs. 2.52 μg dL(-1); P < 0.01), and children who reported eating ackee compared to those who did not eat this fruit (2.89 μg dL(-1) vs. 1.65 μg dL(-1); P < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, living near a high traffic road was identified as an independent risk factor for higher adjusted GMBLC (3.05 μg dL(-1) vs. 2.19 μg dL(-1); P = 0.01). While our findings indicate that GMBLC in Jamaican children has dropped by at least 62% during the past two decades, children living in Jamaica still have GMBLC that is twice that of children in more developed countries. In addition, we have identified significant risk factors for higher blood lead concentrations in Jamaican children. We believe increasing awareness among parents regarding these risk factors could potentially lead to a lower level of lead exposure in Jamaican children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H Rahbar
- a Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences , University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston , Houston , Texas , USA
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Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Dickerson AS, Loveland KA, Ardjomand-Hessabi M, Bressler J, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Grove ML, Pearson DA, Boerwinkle E. Blood lead concentrations in Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorder. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 12:83-105. [PMID: 25546274 PMCID: PMC4306851 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120100083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder manifesting by early childhood. Lead is a toxic metal shown to cause neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Several studies have investigated the possible association between exposure to lead and ASD, but their findings are conflicting. Using data from 100 ASD cases (2–8 years of age) and their age- and sex-matched typically developing controls, we investigated the association between blood lead concentrations (BLC) and ASD in Jamaican children. We administered a questionnaire to assess demographic and socioeconomic information as well as exposure to potential lead sources. We used General Linear Models (GLM) to assess the association of BLC with ASD status as well as with sources of exposure to lead. In univariable GLM, we found a significant difference between geometric mean blood lead concentrations of ASD cases and controls (2.25 μg/dL cases vs. 2.73 μg/dL controls, p < 0.05). However, after controlling for potential confounders, there were no significant differences between adjusted geometric mean blood lead concentrations of ASD cases and controls (2.55 μg/dL vs. 2.72 μg/dL, p = 0.64). Our results do not support an association between BLC and ASD in Jamaican children. We have identified significant confounders when assessing an association between ASD and BLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H Rahbar
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
| | - Aisha S Dickerson
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Katherine A Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
| | - Manouchehr Ardjomand-Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Jan Bressler
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | - Megan L Grove
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Deborah A Pearson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Dickerson AS, Pearson DA, Loveland KA, Rahbar MH, Filipek PA. Role of parental occupation in autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and severity. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2014; 8:997-1007. [PMID: 25024741 PMCID: PMC4093805 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2014.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Aisha S. Dickerson
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Deborah A. Pearson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Katherine A. Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Mohammad H. Rahbar
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Pauline A. Filipek
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Learning Institute, and the Division of Child and Adolescent Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Dickerson AS, Loveland KA, Ardjomand-Hessabi M, Bressler J, Lee M, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Grove ML, Pearson DA, Boerwinkle E. Role of fruits, grains, and seafood consumption in blood cadmium concentrations of Jamaican children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2014; 8:1134-1145. [PMID: 25089152 PMCID: PMC4114722 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2014.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to cadmium has adverse effects on the nervous system. Utilizing data from 110 age- and sex-matched case-control pairs (220 children) ages 2-8 years in Kingston, Jamaica, we compared the 75th percentile of blood cadmium concentrations in children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In both univariable and multivariable Quantile Regression Models that controlled for potential confounding factors, we did not find any significant differences between ASD cases and typically developing (TD) controls with respect to the 75th percentile of blood cadmium concentrations, (P > 0.22). However, we found a significantly higher 75th percentile of blood cadmium concentrations in TD Jamaican children who consumed shellfish (lobsters, crabs) (P <0.05), fried plantain (P <0.01), and boiled dumpling (P <0.01). We also observed that children living in Jamaica have an arithmetic mean blood cadmium concentration of 0.16μg/L which is similar to that of the children in developed countries and much lower than that of children in developing countries. Although our results do not support an association between blood cadmium concentrations and ASD, to our knowledge, this study is the first to report levels of blood cadmium in TD children as well as those with ASD in Jamaica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H. Rahbar
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, and Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, and Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Aisha S. Dickerson
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Katherine A. Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas 77054, USA
| | - Manouchehr Ardjomand-Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jan Bressler
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - MinJae Lee
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | | - Megan L. Grove
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Deborah A. Pearson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas 77054, USA
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Dickerson AS, Loveland KA, Ardjomand-Hessabi M, Bressler J, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Grove ML, Pearson DA, Boerwinkle E. Blood manganese concentrations in Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorders. Environ Health 2014; 13:69. [PMID: 25149876 PMCID: PMC4237806 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-13-69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Manganese is an essential element for human health and development. Previous studies have shown neurotoxic effects in children exposed to higher levels of manganese. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs social interaction and communication. Several studies have hypothesized that ASD is caused through environmental exposures during crucial stages in brain development. We investigated the possible association between blood manganese concentrations (BMC) and ASD. We also identified factors associated with BMC in typically developing (TD) Jamaican children. METHODS We used data from 109 ASD cases with their 1:1 age- and sex-matched TD controls to compare mean BMC in Jamaican children (2-8 years of age) with and without ASD. We administered a pre-tested questionnaire to assess demographic and socioeconomic information, medical history, and potential exposure to manganese. Finally, we collected 2 mL of whole blood from each child for analysis of manganese levels. Using General Linear Models (GLM), we assessed the association between BMC and ASD status. Furthermore, we used two independent sample t-tests to identify factors associated with BMC in TD children. RESULTS In univariable GLM analysis, we found no significant association between BMC and ASD, (10.9 μg/L for cases vs. 10.5 μg/L for controls; P = 0.29). In a multivariable GLM adjusting for paternal age, parental education, place of child's birth (Kingston parish), consumption of root vegetables, cabbage, saltwater fish, and cakes/buns, there was still no significant association between BMC and ASD status, (11.5 μg/L for cases vs. 11.9 μg/L for controls; P = 0.48). Our findings also indicated TD children who ate fresh water fish had a higher BMC than children who did not (11.0 μg/L vs. 9.9 μg/L; P = 0.03) as younger TD children (i.e., 2 ≤ age ≤4), (12.0 μg/L vs. 10.2 μg/L; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS While these results cannot be used to assess early exposure at potentially more susceptible time period, our findings suggest that there is no significant association between manganese exposures and ASD case status in Jamaica. Our findings also indicate that BMC in Jamaican children resemble those of children in the developed world and are much lower than those in the developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H Rahbar
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, UT Professional Building Suite 1100.05, 6410 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Aisha S Dickerson
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, UT Professional Building Suite 1100.05, 6410 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Katherine A Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas 77054, USA
| | - Manouchehr Ardjomand-Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, UT Professional Building Suite 1100.05, 6410 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jan Bressler
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | | - Megan L Grove
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Deborah A Pearson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas 77054, USA
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Ma J, Bressler J, Loveland KA, Ardjomand-Hessabi M, Dickerson AS, Grove ML, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Beecher C, McLaughlin W, Boerwinkle E. Role of metabolic genes in blood arsenic concentrations of Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorder. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:7874-95. [PMID: 25101770 PMCID: PMC4143838 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110807874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic is a toxic metalloid with known adverse effects on human health. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes, including GSTT1, GSTP1, and GSTM1, play a major role in detoxification and metabolism of xenobiotics. We investigated the association between GST genotypes and whole blood arsenic concentrations (BASC) in Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used data from 100 ASD cases and their 1:1 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) controls (age 2-8 years) from Jamaica. Using log-transformed BASC as the dependent variable in a General Linear Model, we observed a significant interaction between GSTP1 and ASD case status while controlling for several confounding variables. However, for GSTT1 and GSTM1 we did not observe any significant associations with BASC. Our findings indicate that TD children who had the Ile/Ile or Ile/Val genotype for GSTP1 had a significantly higher geometric mean BASC than those with genotype Val/Val (3.67 µg/L vs. 2.69 µg/L, p < 0.01). Although, among the ASD cases, this difference was not statistically significant, the direction of the observed difference was consistent with that of the TD control children. These findings suggest a possible role of GSTP1 in the detoxification of arsenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H Rahbar
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
| | - Jianzhong Ma
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Jan Bressler
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Katherine A Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
| | - Manouchehr Ardjomand-Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
| | - Aisha S Dickerson
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) Component, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
| | - Megan L Grove
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | - Compton Beecher
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
| | - Wayne McLaughlin
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES), University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Rossignol DA, Genuis SJ, Frye RE. Environmental toxicants and autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e360. [PMID: 24518398 PMCID: PMC3944636 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Revised: 12/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the involvement of genetic abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is well-accepted, recent studies point to an equal contribution by environmental factors, particularly environmental toxicants. However, these toxicant-related studies in ASD have not been systematically reviewed to date. Therefore, we compiled publications investigating potential associations between environmental toxicants and ASD and arranged these publications into the following three categories: (a) studies examining estimated toxicant exposures in the environment during the preconceptional, gestational and early childhood periods; (b) studies investigating biomarkers of toxicants; and (c) studies examining potential genetic susceptibilities to toxicants. A literature search of nine electronic scientific databases through November 2013 was performed. In the first category examining ASD risk and estimated toxicant exposures in the environment, the majority of studies (34/37; 92%) reported an association. Most of these studies were retrospective case-control, ecological or prospective cohort studies, although a few had weaker study designs (for example, case reports or series). Toxicants implicated in ASD included pesticides, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), solvents, toxic waste sites, air pollutants and heavy metals, with the strongest evidence found for air pollutants and pesticides. Gestational exposure to methylmercury (through fish exposure, one study) and childhood exposure to pollutants in water supplies (two studies) were not found to be associated with ASD risk. In the second category of studies investigating biomarkers of toxicants and ASD, a large number was dedicated to examining heavy metals. Such studies demonstrated mixed findings, with only 19 of 40 (47%) case-control studies reporting higher concentrations of heavy metals in blood, urine, hair, brain or teeth of children with ASD compared with controls. Other biomarker studies reported that solvent, phthalate and pesticide levels were associated with ASD, whereas PCB studies were mixed. Seven studies reported a relationship between autism severity and heavy metal biomarkers, suggesting evidence of a dose-effect relationship. Overall, the evidence linking biomarkers of toxicants with ASD (the second category) was weaker compared with the evidence associating estimated exposures to toxicants in the environment and ASD risk (the first category) because many of the biomarker studies contained small sample sizes and the relationships between biomarkers and ASD were inconsistent across studies. Regarding the third category of studies investigating potential genetic susceptibilities to toxicants, 10 unique studies examined polymorphisms in genes associated with increased susceptibilities to toxicants, with 8 studies reporting that such polymorphisms were more common in ASD individuals (or their mothers, 1 study) compared with controls (one study examined multiple polymorphisms). Genes implicated in these studies included paraoxonase (PON1, three of five studies), glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1 and GSTP1, three of four studies), δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (one study), SLC11A3 (one study) and the metal regulatory transcription factor 1 (one of two studies). Notably, many of the reviewed studies had significant limitations, including lack of replication, limited sample sizes, retrospective design, recall and publication biases, inadequate matching of cases and controls, and the use of nonstandard tools to diagnose ASD. The findings of this review suggest that the etiology of ASD may involve, at least in a subset of children, complex interactions between genetic factors and certain environmental toxicants that may act synergistically or in parallel during critical periods of neurodevelopment, in a manner that increases the likelihood of developing ASD. Because of the limitations of many of the reviewed studies, additional high-quality epidemiological studies concerning environmental toxicants and ASD are warranted to confirm and clarify many of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Rossignol
- Family Medicine, Rossignol Medical Center, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - S J Genuis
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - R E Frye
- Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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Samms-Vaughan ME. The status of early identification and early intervention in autism spectrum disorders in lower- and middle-income countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2014; 16:30-35. [PMID: 24397842 DOI: 10.3109/17549507.2013.866271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
There is limited information on autism spectrum disorders from lower- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This paper reviews the status of early identification and early intervention for autism spectrum disorders in response to the article by Camarata (2014) . The PubMed database was searched to identify relevant epidemiological studies from LMIC. Seven studies from five countries were identified: Colombia, India, Jamaica, Jordan, and Mexico. The mean age of parental concern, at 21-24 months, and mean age of diagnosis, at 45-57 months, were similar in LMIC, but later than in high-income countries. Both country groups reported language disorder to be the symptom of initial concern. Similarities in biological aspects of the disorders were noted across LMIC and high-income countries. Comparable ages of identification and diagnosis across vastly different LMIC suggest limited resources to be the underlying contributory factor. Recommendations for improving early identification and intervention made by researchers in the LMIC are reported.
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