Docosahexaenoic acid sources for the developing brain during intrauterine life

Risk and Benefit Analysis of Fish Consumption in NW Mexico: Mercury, Selenium, and Fatty Acids

To balance the risks and benefits of fish consumption, selenium, fatty acids (DHA + EPA), and mercury in fishery products were determined. Analyzed products were canned tuna, frozen tuna (Thunnus albacares), smoked striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax), fresh Pacific sierra (Scomberomorus sierra), fresh dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), fresh tilapia (Gerres cinereus), and fresh bullseye puffer (Sphoeroides annulatus). Mercury (μg g^-1 wet weight) ranged from 0.01 (dolphinfish) to 0.23 (bullseye puffer); Se ranged from 0.12 to 0.25. EPA + DHA ranged from 1.16 to 10.72 mg g^-1. Intake of EPA + DHA was comparable or above the recommended daily intake; Hg intake was below the reference dose but Se intake was below than recommended values for the different population groups. Considering the HBV_Se, fishery products had positive values; i.e., they are healthy food items. According to the interaction of Hg and Se and the rate of fishery product consumption, the risk for consumers is below one percent.

Maternal Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Alters Lipid Peroxidation Products and (n-3)/(n-6) Fatty Acid Balance in Offspring Mice

The abundance of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the mammalian brain has generated substantial interest in the search for its roles in regulating brain functions. Our recent study with a gene/stress mouse model provided evidence to support the ability for the maternal supplement of DHA to alleviate autism-associated behavior in the offspring. DHA and arachidonic acid (ARA) are substrates of enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions, and lipid peroxidation results in the production of 4-hydroxyhexenal (4-HHE) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), respectively. In this study, we examine whether a maternal DHA-supplemented diet alters fatty acids (FAs), as well as lipid peroxidation products in the pup brain, heart and plasma by a targeted metabolite approach. Pups in the maternal DHA-supplemented diet group showed an increase in DHA and a concomitant decrease in ARA in all brain regions examined. However, significant increases in 4-HHE, and not 4-HNE, were found mainly in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Analysis of heart and plasma showed large increases in DHA and 4-HHE, but a significant decrease in 4-HNE levels only in plasma. Taken together, the DHA-supplemented maternal diet alters the (n-3)/(n-6) FA ratio, and increases 4-HHE levels in pup brain, heart and plasma. These effects may contribute to the beneficial effects of DHA on neurodevelopment, as well as functional changes in other body organs.

A likely placental barrier against methylmercury in pregnant rats exposed to fish-containing diets

Methylmercury (MeHg) taken up through fish consumption can be transferred from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy. In the present study, pregnant rat mothers were contaminated with environmentally relevant doses of 36 and 76 ng MeHg/g of food using diets containing naturally mercury-containing fish. Young female rats fed with fish-containing food after weaning showed decreased locomotion in Y maze for accumulated concentrations in brain as low as 75 ng Hg/g dry weight (15 ng Hg/g wet weight). Young female rats fed the control diet after weaning yet borne by mothers fed the diet containing 76 ng MeHg/g, presented a 58% reduced activity in the open-field labyrinth, meaning that the maternal exposure to fish-containing food exerted an effect in utero that lasted several weeks after birth. Newborns were protected against Hg exposure by the placental barrier since in newborns from mothers fed the diet containing 76 ng MeHg/g of food, the concentrations of Hg in brain, kidney, liver and skeletal muscles represented 12, 3, 21 and 18% of those of their mother's tissues, respectively. These results suggest the existence, at least in rats, of a threshold level in terms of MeHg exposure above which the placental barrier collapses.

Placental transfer and levels of mercury, selenium, vitamin E, and docosahexaenoic acid in maternal and umbilical cord blood

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a neurotoxicant known to affect the developing fetal brain as a sensitive target organ. As most mercury (Hg) in blood is MeHg, total mercury (THg) levels in blood are used to estimate the body burden of MeHg. The nutrients selenium (Se), vitamin E, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are protective against MeHg toxicity. We compared maternal and cord blood concentrations of biochemical substances, THg and Se, vitamin E, DHA, and other elements, fatty acids, and amino acids in 54 Japanese mother-newborn pairs to elucidate the fetal risk of MeHg toxicity. Cord blood had higher hematocrit and amino acid values and lower concentrations of lipid components, including fatty acids compared with maternal blood. THg levels in cord blood (7.26ng/g) were 1.9 times higher than levels in maternal blood (3.79ng/g). Se concentrations in cord blood (176ng/g) were slightly higher than concentrations in maternal blood (156ng/g). Levels of vitamin E (0.31mg/dL) and DHA (58.8μg/mL) in cord blood were much lower than levels in maternal blood (1.38mg/dL and 147μg/mL, respectively). The ratios of Se/THg, vitamin E/THg, and DHA/THg in cord blood were lower than ratios in maternal blood. These results suggest that fetuses are at higher risk to MeHg toxicity.

Oestrogens as modulators of neuronal signalosomes and brain lipid homeostasis related to protection against neurodegeneration

Oestrogens trigger several pathways at the plasma membrane that exert beneficial actions against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Part of these actions takes place in lipid rafts, which are membrane domains with a singular protein and lipid composition. These microdomains also represent a preferential site for signalling protein complexes, or signalosomes. A plausible hypothesis is that the dynamic interaction of signalosomes with different extracellular ligands may be at the basis of neuronal maintenance against different neuropathologies. Oestrogen receptors are localised in neuronal lipid rafts, taking part of macromolecular complexes together with a voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), and other molecules. Oestradiol binding to its receptor at this level enhances neuroprotection against amyloid-β degeneration through the activation of different signal transduction pathways, including VDAC gating modulation. Moreover, part of the stability and functionality of signalling platforms lays on the distribution of lipid hallmarks in these microstructures, which modulate membrane physicochemical properties, thus favouring molecular interactions. Interestingly, recent findings indicate a potential role of oestrogens in the preservation of neuronal membrane physiology related to lipid homeostasis. Thus, oestrogens and docosahexaenoic acid may act synergistically to stabilise brain lipid structure by regulating neuronal lipid biosynthetic pathways, suggesting that part of the neuroprotective effects elicited by oestrogens occur through mechanisms aimed at preserving lipid homeostasis. Overall, oestrogen mechanisms of neuroprotection may occur not only by its interaction with neuronal protein targets through nongenomic and genomic mechanisms, but also through its participation in membrane architecture stabilisation via 'lipostatic' mechanisms.

Plasma fatty acid profiles in 37 pairs of maternal and umbilical cord blood samples

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

In order to study the fatty acid transfer from the mother to fetus, their fatty acid profiles were compared by 37 pairs of maternal and umbilical cord plasma specimens obtained from healthy Japanese women at delivery.

RESULTS

The fetal/maternal fatty acid concentration ratios differed among individual fatty acids. The ratios were low for linoleic acid (LN, 0.12±0.04) and linolenic acid (LnN, 0.07±0.05) but high for arachidonic acid (AA, 0.66±0.17) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 0.44±0.13). Significant correlations were observed between the maternal and fetal EPA (r=0.74) and DHA (r=0.40) concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that DHA and AA are preferentially transferred to the fetus. Fetal fatty acid profile reflects the maternal intake of EPA and DHA.

Mercury and docosahexaenoic acid levels in maternal and cord blood in relation to segmental maternal hair mercury concentrations at parturition

Fish is a major source of harmful methylmercury (MeHg) and beneficial docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the developing brain. In this study, we investigated the correlations among maternal and umbilical cord (cord) MeHg and DHA levels at parturition, and mercury (Hg) concentration in 1-cm incremental segments hair samples which grew during gestation representing monthly MeHg exposure levels throughout the period. Whole blood Hg and plasma DHA levels were measured in blood sample pairs collected from 54 mothers at early gestation and parturition, and in cord blood. Maternal hair samples were collected at parturition, and Hg concentrations were measured in 1-cm incremental segments. Hg level in mothers at parturition was slightly lower than that at early gestation and the level in cord blood were approximately 1.9 times higher than that in mothers at parturition. On the other hand, DHA level in mothers at parturition was approximately 2.3 and 1.6 times higher than those in mothers at early gestation and in cord plasma, respectively. These results indicate that kinetics of these chemicals in mothers during gestation and placental transfer are completely different. However, Hg and DHA levels had significant positive correlation in fetal circulation. The cord blood Hg showed the strongest correlation with maternal hair Hg in the first 1-cm segment from the scalp at parturition (r=0.87), indicating that fetal MeHg level reflects maternal MeHg burden at late gestation. In contrast, maternal and cord plasma DHA concentrations at parturition showed the highest correlation coefficients with Hg in the fifth (r=0.43) and fourth (r=0.38) 1-cm hair segments, suggesting that maternal and fetal DHA levels reflects maternal fish intake during mid-gestation.

Balancing the benefits of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the risks of methylmercury exposure from fish consumption

Fish and shellfish are widely available foods that provide important nutrients, particularly n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), to many populations globally. These nutrients, especially docosahexaenoic acid, confer benefits to brain and visual system development in infants and reduce risks of certain forms of heart disease in adults. However, fish and shellfish can also be a major source of methylmercury (MeHg), a known neurotoxicant that is particularly harmful to fetal brain development. This review documents the latest knowledge on the risks and benefits of seafood consumption for perinatal development of infants. It is possible to choose fish species that are both high in n-3 PUFAs and low in MeHg. A framework for providing dietary advice for women of childbearing age on how to maximize the dietary intake of n-3 PUFAs while minimizing MeHg exposures is suggested.

Human health effects of methylmercury exposure

Mercury (Hg), and the organometallic compounds formed from it, are among the most toxic of substances to the global environment. Mercury is environmentally ubiquitous, and both wildlife and humans are exposed to the toxic effects of its environmental residues, primarily elemental mercury (Hg0), divalent mercury (Hg2+) and methylmercury (MeHg). Humans are exposed to different forms of Hg, and potential health risks have been reported from such exposures; examples of Hg exposure include mercury vapor from dental amalgams, occupational exposures and exposures during artisan and small-scale gold mining operations. Despite the significance of those foregoing Hg exposures, of particular concern is human and wildlife exposure to MeHg, a potent neurotoxicant. Once incorporated into the body, MeHg easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier and causes damage to the central nervous system, particularly in fetuses. It bioaacumulates and biomagnifies in the aquatic food chain; consequently, fish and seafood consumption is the major pathway by which humans are exposed to MeHg. MeHg is the focus of this review. It adversely affects humans and is currently the subject of intense public health interest and worldwide concern. In this review, I summarize the sources and cycling of global mercury in the environment, pathways of exposure, toxicity and exposure evaluation, toxicokinetics, the common biomarkers to evaluate exposure and effects in populations, and finally review the nutritional risks and benefits from fish consumption.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate affects lipid profiling in fetal rat brain upon maternal exposure

Lipids, especially essential fatty acids (EFAs), play critical roles in guiding proper fetal development. Exposure to xenobiotics that may alter the fetal supply of EFAs/lipids could potentially lead to fetotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the effects of the peroxisome proliferator chemical, di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP), on the lipid metabolomic profile of the rat fetal brain upon maternal exposure during gestation. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally gavaged with a control vehicle or DEHP (1,500 mg/kg) from gestational day (GD) 0 to GD 19 and fetal brain tissue was isolated at GD 20. The concentrations of 11 lipid classes [free fatty acid, free cholesterol (FC), cholesterol ester (CE), diacylglycerol (DAG), triacylglyceride, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine (PS), lysophosphatidylcholine (LYPC), cardiolipin, and sphingomyelin (SM)] were determined, as well as the differences in the composition of individual fatty acids. The total lipid concentration decreased with DEHP exposure, particularly for FC and SM, by 33 and 54%, respectively. The same trend was observed in the fatty acid compositions, particularly the unsaturated fatty acids, where a greater decrease was observed with longer fatty acid chain length. The compositions of docosahexaenoic acid decreased significantly in five lipid classes (P < 0.05), including CE (43%), DAG (60%), PS (33%), LYPC (35%), and SM (40%). In contrast, the most remarkable reduction of arachidonic acid presented in two lipid classes, CE and LYPC, with a decrease of up to 33%. These results suggest that in utero exposure to DEHP alters the lipid metabolome in the fetal brain, which may lead to aberrant neurodevelopment.

Maternal and fetal mercury and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a risk and benefit of fish consumption to fetus

Maternal fish consumption brings both risks and benefits to the fetus from the standpoint of methylmercury (MeHg) and n-3 PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids). MeHg is one of the most risky substances to come through fish consumption, and mercury concentrations in red blood cells (RBC-Hg) are the best biomarker of MeHg exposure. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3), which is one of the most important fatty acids for normal brain development and function, is also derived from fish consumption. Our objective in this study was to examine the relationships between RBC-Hg and plasma fatty acid composition in mother and fetus at parturition. Venous blood samples were collected from 63 pairs of mothers and fetuses (umbilical cord blood) at delivery. In all cases, fetal RBC-Hg levels were higher than maternal RBC-Hg levels. The geometric mean of fetal RBC-Hg was 13.4 ng/g, which was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that of maternal RBC-Hg (8.41 ng/g). While the average fetal/maternal RBC-Hg ratio was 1.6, the individual ratios varied from 1.08 to 2.19, suggesting considerable individual differences in MeHg concentrations between maternal and fetal circulations at delivery. A significant correlation was observed between maternal and fetal DHA concentrations (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). Further, a significant correlation was observed between RBC-Hg and plasma DHA in fetus (r = 0.35, p < 0.01). These results confirm that both MeHg and DHA which originated from fish consumption transferred from maternal to fetal circulation and existed in the fetal circulation with a positive correlation. Pregnant women in particular need not give up eating fish to obtain such benefits. However, they would do well to at least consume smaller fish, which contain less MeHg, thereby balancing the risks and benefits from fish comsumption.