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Lee S, Kim JH, Moon HB, Park J, Choi G, Kim S. Effects of mercury exposure on fetal body burden and its association with infant growth. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 217:114780. [PMID: 36370820 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have been conducted among South Korean to investigate effects of high blood mercury (Hg) levels. In this study fetal body burden of Hg in 344 pregnant women were estimated using a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) and its associative effects on the growth of infants were analyzed. The association between cord blood Hg and growth variables at birth was analyzed based on parameters such as the sex of the newborn, living area, maternal age group, gestation day, maternal body mass index . We investigated the effects of Hg on infant growth through follow-ups, using a non-linear mixed model. The mean Hg levels in maternal and cord blood were 4.47 μg/L and 7.35 μg/L, respectively. Among the subjects, the corresponding fetal body burden for Methylmercury ranged between 26.3-86.9 mg. Cord blood Hg levels positively correlated with length at birth. Furthermore, the high cord blood group showed greater growth rates compared to the low cord blood group. Therefore, we suggest that pregnant women should make efforts to mitigate exposures to Hg, specifically from diet. Further research is suggested to investigate the relationship between the follow-up growth of the infants and Hg levels, considering fish consumption, diet information, and other environmental pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungho Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Jin Hee Kim
- Department of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyo-Bang Moon
- Department of Marine Science and Convergence Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, South Korea
| | - Jeongim Park
- College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, South Korea
| | - Guyuyeon Choi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkyoon Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, South Korea; Institute of Health and Environment, Graduated School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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Mercury Exposure and Associations with Hyperlipidemia and Elevated Liver Enzymes: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey. TOXICS 2020; 8:toxics8030047. [PMID: 32630237 PMCID: PMC7560241 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8030047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) has obesogenic properties. However, the associated health outcomes of population-level mercury exposure were unclear. This study investigated the relationships between blood mercury levels and obesity-related outcomes such as hyperlipidemia and elevated liver enzymes. Using the second cycle of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (n = 6454), we performed logistic regression to examine the effects of Hg on hyperlipidemia and elevated liver enzymes. The blood mercury levels were significantly higher in the hyperlipidemia group (n = 3699, male: 4.03 μg/L, female: 2.83 μg/L) compared to the non-hyperlipidemia group (n = 2755, male: 3.48 μg/L, female: 2.69 μg/L), and high blood mercury levels were associated with an 11% higher risk of hyperlipidemia. The elevated liver enzymes group had higher mean blood mercury levels (n = 1189, male: 4.38 μg/L, female: 3.25 μg/L) than the normal group (n = 5265, male: 3.64 μg/L, female: 2.70 μg/L), and elevated blood mercury was associated with a 35% higher risk of elevated liver enzymes. Moreover, the effect was constant after adjusting for personal medications. These results indicate that mercury exposure is significantly associated with hyperlipidemia and elevated liver enzymes.
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Lin CH, Hsu YT, Yen CC, Chen HH, Tseng CJ, Lo YK, Chan JYH. Association between heavy metal levels and acute ischemic stroke. J Biomed Sci 2018; 25:49. [PMID: 29801491 PMCID: PMC5970463 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-018-0446-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Few studies have examined the relationship between the amounts of heavy metal and stroke incidence. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between levels of heavy metals, including Pb, Hg, As, and Cd, in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods We selected patients with first-ever AIS onset within 1 week as our study group. Healthy controls were participants without a history of stroke or chronic disease, except hypertension. The serum levels of Pb, Hg, As, and Cd in participants in the experimental and control groups were determined. All participants received a 1-g infusion of edetate calcium disodium (EDTA). Urine specimens were collected for 24 h after EDTA infusion and measured for heavy metal levels. Results In total, 33 patients with AIS and 39 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The major findings were as follows: (1) The stroke group had a significantly lower level of serum Hg (6.4 ± 4.3 μg/L vs. 9.8 ± 7.0 μg/L, P = 0.032, OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.81–0.99) and a lower level of urine Hg (0.7 ± 0.7 μg/L vs. 1.2 ± 0.6 μg/L, P = 0.006, OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.11–0.68) than the control group. (2) No significant difference in serum Pb (S-Pb), As (S-As), and Cd (S-Cd) levels and urine Pb (U-Pb), As (U-As) and Cd (U-Cd) levels was observed in either group. Conclusions Our study found low levels of serum and urine Hg in first-ever patients with AIS, providing new evidence of dysregulated heavy metals in patients with AIS. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12929-018-0446-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Huang Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yet-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Section of Neurology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Shu-Zen Junior College of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Hsu
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yet-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Section of Neurology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chung Yen
- Section of Neurology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hung Chen
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Jiunn Tseng
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yuk-Keung Lo
- Section of Neurology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Julie Y H Chan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yet-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. .,Institute for Translational Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan.
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Lee SH, Choi B, Park SJ, Kim YS, Joo NS. The Cut-off Value of Blood Mercury Concentration in Relation to Insulin Resistance. J Obes Metab Syndr 2017; 26:197-203. [PMID: 31089517 PMCID: PMC6484921 DOI: 10.7570/jomes.2017.26.3.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increased blood mercury concentration is associated with inflammation, and chronic inflammation can cause insulin resistance. We examined the cut-off value of blood mercury in relation to an increased score on the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Methods We used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2010). Relevant data from 5,184 subjects (2,523 men and 2,661 women) were analyzed cross-sectionally. General linear analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between HOMA-IR score and blood mercury concentration. In addition, we determined the cut-off value of blood mercury concentration in relation to increased HOMA-IR score (> 2.34) using an ROC curve. Results The mean value of blood mercury concentration in men and women was 5.88 μg/L and 4.11 μg/L, respectively. In men, comparing to the first quartile, HOMA-IR score increased significantly in the third and fourth blood mercury quartiles. In women, however, the increase in HOMA-IR score was not significant. The cut-off value that best represented the association between increased HOMA-IR score and blood mercury concentration in men was found to be 4.71 μg/L. Conclusion Blood mercury concentration was associated with increased HOMA-IR score in men, and the cut-off value of blood mercury concentration that was correlated with increased HOMA-IR score was around 4.71 μg/L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok-Hoon Lee
- Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Beomhee Choi
- CHA Anti-aging Institute, CHA University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo-Jung Park
- Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Young-Sang Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, CHA University, CHA Bundang Medical Center, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Nam-Seok Joo
- Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
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Lee S, Tan YM, Phillips MB, Sobus JR, Kim S. Estimating Methylmercury Intake for the General Population of South Korea Using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling. Toxicol Sci 2017; 159:6-15. [PMID: 28903490 PMCID: PMC6145084 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS 2009-2011) tracks levels of environmental pollutants in biological samples from the adult Korean population (age 19-88). Recent survey results for blood mercury (Hg) suggest some exceedance above existing blood Hg reference levels. Because total blood Hg represents both organic and inorganic forms, and methylmercury (MeHg) has been specifically linked to several adverse health outcomes, a need exists to quantify MeHg intake for this population. Gender, age, and frequency of fish consumption were first identified as important predictors of KoNEHS blood Hg levels using generalized linear models. Stratified distributions of total blood Hg were then used to estimate distributions of blood MeHg using fractions of MeHg to total Hg from the literature. Next, a published physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was used to predict distributions of blood MeHg as a function of MeHg intake; ratios of MeHg intake to model-predicted blood MeHg were then combined with KoNEHS-based blood MeHg values to produce MeHg intake estimates. These intake estimates were ultimately compared with the Reference Dose (RfD) for MeHg (0.1 µg/kg/day) and reported as margin of exposure (MOE) estimates for specific KoNEHS subgroups. The derived MOEs across all subgroups, based on estimated geometric mean intake, ranged from 1.6 to 4.1. These results suggest MeHg exposures approaching the RfD for several subgroups of the Korean population, and not just for specific subgroups (eg, those who eat fish very frequently).
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungho Lee
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Yu-Mei Tan
- National Exposure Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
| | - Martin B Phillips
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Participant, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
| | - Jon R Sobus
- National Exposure Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
| | - Sungkyoon Kim
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
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Lee S, Shin M, Hong YC, Kim JH. Temporal variability of blood lead, mercury, and cadmium levels in elderly panel study (2008–2014). Int J Hyg Environ Health 2017; 220:407-414. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 10/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Park JS, Ha KH, He K, Kim DJ. Association between Blood Mercury Level and Visceral Adiposity in Adults. Diabetes Metab J 2017; 41:113-120. [PMID: 28029015 PMCID: PMC5409010 DOI: 10.4093/dmj.2017.41.2.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have examined the association between mercury exposure and obesity. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between blood mercury concentrations and indices of obesity in adults. METHODS A total of 200 healthy subjects, aged 30 to 64 years, who had no history of cardiovascular or malignant disease, were examined. Anthropometric and various biochemical profiles were measured. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS All subjects were divided into three groups according to blood mercury concentrations. Compared with the subjects in the lowest tertile of mercury, those in the highest tertile were more likely to be male; were current alcohol drinkers and smokers; had a higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and VAT; had higher levels of blood pressure, fasting glucose, and insulin resistance; and consumed more fish. The blood mercury concentration was significantly associated with anthropometric parameters, showing relationships with BMI, WC, and VAT. After adjusting for multiple risk factors, the odds ratios (ORs) for high mercury concentration was significantly higher in the highest VAT tertile than in the lowest VAT tertile (OR, 2.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 6.62; P<0.05). CONCLUSION The blood mercury concentration was significantly associated with VAT in healthy adults. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Suk Park
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung Hwa Ha
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Etiology Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Ka He
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Dae Jung Kim
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Etiology Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
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Lee MR, Lim YH, Lee BE, Hong YC. Blood mercury concentrations are associated with decline in liver function in an elderly population: a panel study. Environ Health 2017; 16:17. [PMID: 28257627 PMCID: PMC5336614 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-017-0228-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mercury is a toxic heavy metal and is known to affect many diseases. However, few studies have examined the effects of mercury exposure on liver function in the general population. We examined the association between blood mercury concentrations and liver enzyme levels in the elderly. METHODS We included 560 elderly participants (60 years or older) who were recruited from 2008 to 2010 and followed up to 2014. Subjects visited a community welfare center and underwent a medical examination and measurement of mercury levels up to five times. Analyses using generalized estimating equations model were performed after adjusting for age, sex, education, overweight, alcohol consumption, smoking, regular exercise, high-density lipoproteins cholesterol, and total calorie intake. Additionally, we estimated interaction effects of alcohol consumption with mercury and mediation effect of oxidative stress in the relationship between mercury levels and liver function. RESULTS The geometric mean (95% confidence interval (CI)) of blood mercury concentrations was 2.81 μg/L (2.73, 2.89). Significant relationships were observed between blood mercury concentrations and the level of liver enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), after adjusting for potential confounders (P < 0.05). The odds ratios of having abnormal ALT levels were statistically significant in the highest mercury quartile compared to those with the lowest quartile. Particularly, regular alcohol drinkers showed greater effect estimates of mercury on the liver function than non-drinkers groups. There was no mediation effect of oxidative stress in the relationship between blood mercury concentrations and liver function. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that blood mercury levels are associated with elevated liver enzymes and interact with alcohol consumption for the association in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mee-Ri Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Hee Lim
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Eun Lee
- Environmental Health Research Division, Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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