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Crespo-Lopez ME, Barthelemy JL, Lopes-Araújo A, Santos-Sacramento L, Leal-Nazaré CG, Soares-Silva I, Macchi BM, do Nascimento JLM, Arrifano GDP, Augusto-Oliveira M. Revisiting Genetic Influence on Mercury Exposure and Intoxication in Humans: A Scoping Review. TOXICS 2023; 11:967. [PMID: 38133368 PMCID: PMC10747380 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Human intoxication to mercury is a worldwide health problem. In addition to the type and length of exposure, the genetic background plays an important role in mercury poisoning. However, reviews on the genetic influence in mercury toxicity are scarce and not systematic. Therefore, this review aimed to systematically overview the most recent evidence on the genetic influence (using single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) on human mercury poisoning. Three different databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Scopus) were searched, and 380 studies were found that were published from 2015 to 2022. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 29 studies were selected and data on characteristics (year, country, profile of participants) and results (mercury biomarkers and quantitation, SNPs, main findings) were extracted and analyzed. The largest number of studies was performed in Brazil, mainly involving traditional populations of the Tapajós River basin. Most studies evaluated the influence of the SNPs related to genes of the glutathione system (GST, GPx, etc.), the ATP-binding cassette transporters and the metallothionein proteins. The recent findings regarding other SNPs, such as those of apolipoprotein E and brain-derived neurotrophic factor genes, are also highlighted. The importance of the exposure level is discussed considering the possible biphasic behavior of the genetic modulation phenomena that could explain some SNP associations. Overall, recommendations are provided for future studies based on the analysis obtained in this scoping review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Jean Ludger Barthelemy
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Leticia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Caio Gustavo Leal-Nazaré
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Isabela Soares-Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Barbarella M. Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (J.L.M.d.N.)
| | - José Luiz M. do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (J.L.M.d.N.)
| | - Gabriela de Paula Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
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2
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Soler-Blasco R, Llop S, Riutort-Mayol G, Lozano M, Vallejo-Ortega J, Murcia M, Ballester F, Irizar A, Andiarena A, Fernandez-Jimenez N, Braeuer S, Harari F. Genetic Susceptibility to Neurotoxicity Related to Prenatal Inorganic Arsenic Exposure in Young Spanish Children. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15366-15378. [PMID: 37787746 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
We explored the influence of child and maternal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to neurological function and arsenic metabolism (i.e., ABCA1, ABCB1, PON1, CYP3A, BDNF, GSTP1, MT2A, and APOE as well as AS3MT) on the association between prenatal arsenic (As) exposure and methylation efficiency and neuropsychological development in 4-5-year-old children. Participants were 549 mother-child pairs from the INMA (Environment and Childhood) Spanish Project. We measured inorganic arsenic (iAs) and the metabolites monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in urine samples collected during pregnancy. Neuropsychological development was assessed at the age of 4-5 years using the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA). Several SNPs were determined in maternal and child DNA; AS3MT and APOE haplotypes were inferred. The median ∑As (sum of iAs, DMA, and MMA) was 7.08 μg/g creatinine. Statistically significant interactions for children's APOE haplotype were observed. Specifically, ε4-carrier children had consistently lower MSCA scores in several scales with increasing ∑As and MMA concentrations. These results provide evidence regarding the neurotoxic effects of early life exposure to As, observing that the APOE ε4 allele could make children more vulnerable to this exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Soler-Blasco
- Department of Nursing, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gabriel Riutort-Mayol
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Lozano
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jorge Vallejo-Ortega
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Mario Murcia
- Health Policy Planning and Evaluation Service, Conselleria de Sanitat Universal i Salut Pública, Generalitat Valenciana, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ferran Ballester
- Department of Nursing, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Amaia Irizar
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health of the University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Ainara Andiarena
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain
- Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Nora Fernandez-Jimenez
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute and University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48903 Leioa, Spain
| | - Simone Braeuer
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 38, Vienna 1090, Austria
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Florencia Harari
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
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3
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Danner L, Malard F, Valdes R, Olivier-Van Stichelen S. Non-Nutritive Sweeteners Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose Are Competitive Inhibitors of the Human P-glycoprotein/Multidrug Resistance Protein 1 (PGP/MDR1). Nutrients 2023; 15:1118. [PMID: 36904118 PMCID: PMC10005754 DOI: 10.3390/nu15051118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are popular sugar replacements used in foods, beverages, and medications. Although NNS are considered safe by regulatory organizations, their effects on physiological processes such as detoxification are incompletely understood. Previous studies revealed that the NNS sucralose (Sucr) altered P-glycoprotein (PGP) expression in rat colon. We also demonstrated that early-life exposure to NNS Sucr and acesulfame potassium (AceK) compromises mouse liver detoxification. Building upon these initial discoveries, we investigated the impact of AceK and Sucr on the PGP transporter in human cells to assess whether NNS influence its key role in cellular detoxification and drug metabolism. We showed that AceK and Sucr acted as PGP inhibitors, competing for the natural substrate-binding pocket of PGP. Most importantly, this was observed after exposure to concentrations of NNS within expected levels from common foods and beverage consumption. This may suggest risks for NNS consumers, either when taking medications that require PGP as the primary detoxification transporter or during exposure to toxic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Danner
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Florian Malard
- INSERM U1212, CNRS UMR5320, ARNA Laboratory, University of Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Raquel Valdes
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Stephanie Olivier-Van Stichelen
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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4
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Love TM, Wahlberg K, Pineda D, Watson GE, Zareba G, Thurston SW, Davidson PW, Shamlaye CF, Myers GJ, Rand M, van Wijngaarden E, Broberg K. Contribution of child ABC-transporter genetics to prenatal MeHg exposure and neurodevelopment. Neurotoxicology 2022; 91:228-233. [PMID: 35654246 PMCID: PMC9723801 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is emerging evidence that exposure to prenatal methylmercury (MeHg) from maternal fish consumption during pregnancy can differ between individuals due to genetic variation. In previous studies, we have reported that maternal polymorphisms in ABC-transporter genes were associated with maternal hair MeHg concentrations, and with children's early neurodevelopmental tests. In this study, we add to these findings by evaluating the contribution of genetic variation in children's ABC-transporter genes to prenatal MeHg exposure and early child neurodevelopmental tests. METHODS We genotyped six polymorphisms (rs2032582, rs10276499 and rs1202169 in ABCB1; rs11075290 and rs215088 in ABCC1; rs717620 in ABCC2) in DNA from cord blood and maternal blood of the Seychelles Child Development Study Nutrition Cohort 2. We determined prenatal MeHg exposure by measuring total mercury (Hg) in cord blood by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. We assessed neurodevelopment in children at approximately 20 months using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-II). We used linear regression models to analyze covariate-adjusted associations of child genotype with cord MeHg and BSID-II outcomes (Mental Developmental and Psychomotor Developmental Indexes). We also evaluated interactions between genotypes, cord MeHg, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. All models were run with and without adjustment for maternal genotype. RESULTS Of the six evaluated polymorphisms, only ABCC1 rs11075290 was associated with cord blood MeHg; children homozygous for the T-allele had on average 29.99 µg/L MeHg in cord blood while those homozygous for the C-allele had on average 38.06 µg/L MeHg in cord blood (p < 0.001). No polymorphisms in the children were associated with either subscale of the BSID. However, the association between cord MeHg and the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) of the BSID differed significantly across the three genotypes of ABCB1 rs10276499 (2df F-test, p = 0.045). With increasing cord MeHg, the MDI decreased (slope=-0.091, p = 0.014) among children homozygous for the rare C-allele. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the possibility that child ABC genetics might influence prenatal MeHg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanzy M Love
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Karin Wahlberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniela Pineda
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden
| | - Gene E Watson
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Grazyna Zareba
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Sally W Thurston
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Philip W Davidson
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Conrad F Shamlaye
- The Child Development Centre, Ministry of Health, Mahé, Republic of Seychelles
| | - Gary J Myers
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Matthew Rand
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Edwin van Wijngaarden
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Karin Broberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Metals and Health, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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5
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Cossa D, Knoery J, Bănaru D, Harmelin-Vivien M, Sonke JE, Hedgecock IM, Bravo AG, Rosati G, Canu D, Horvat M, Sprovieri F, Pirrone N, Heimbürger-Boavida LE. Mediterranean Mercury Assessment 2022: An Updated Budget, Health Consequences, and Research Perspectives. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:3840-3862. [PMID: 35244390 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) and especially its methylated species (MeHg) are toxic chemicals that contaminate humans via the consumption of seafood. The most recent UNEP Global Mercury Assessment stressed that Mediterranean populations have higher Hg levels than people elsewhere in Europe. The present Critical Review updates current knowledge on the sources, biogeochemical cycling, and mass balance of Hg in the Mediterranean and identifies perspectives for future research especially in the context of global change. Concentrations of Hg in the Western Mediterranean average 0.86 ± 0.27 pmol L-1 in the upper water layer and 1.02 ± 0.12 pmol L-1 in intermediate and deep waters. In the Eastern Mediterranean, Hg measurements are in the same range but are too few to determine any consistent oceanographical pattern. The Mediterranean waters have a high methylation capacity, with MeHg representing up to 86% of the total Hg, and constitute a source of MeHg for the adjacent North Atlantic Ocean. The highest MeHg concentrations are associated with low oxygen water masses, suggesting a microbiological control on Hg methylation, consistent with the identification of hgcA-like genes in Mediterranean waters. MeHg concentrations are twice as high in the waters of the Western Basin compared to the ultra-oligotrophic Eastern Basin waters. This difference appears to be transferred through the food webs and the Hg content in predators to be ultimately controlled by MeHg concentrations of the waters of their foraging zones. Many Mediterranean top-predatory fish still exceed European Union regulatory Hg thresholds. This emphasizes the necessity of monitoring the exposure of Mediterranean populations, to formulate adequate mitigation strategies and recommendations, without advising against seafood consumption. This review also points out other insufficiencies of knowledge of Hg cycling in the Mediterranean Sea, including temporal variations in air-sea exchange, hydrothermal and cold seep inputs, point sources, submarine groundwater discharge, and exchanges between margins and the open sea. Future assessment of global change impacts under the Minamata Convention Hg policy requires long-term observations and dedicated high-resolution Earth System Models for the Mediterranean region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Cossa
- Université Grenoble Alpes, ISTerre, CS 40700, 38058 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Joël Knoery
- Ifremer, Centre Atlantique de Nantes, BP 44311, 44980 Nantes, France
| | - Daniela Bănaru
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS/INSU, Université de Toulon, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO) UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Mireille Harmelin-Vivien
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS/INSU, Université de Toulon, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO) UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, CNRS/Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP)/Université de Toulouse, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Ian M Hedgecock
- Istituto sull'inquinamento atmosferico, CNR-IIA, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | | | - Ginevra Rosati
- Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisca Sperimentale (OGS), 34010 Trieste, Italy
| | - Donata Canu
- Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisca Sperimentale (OGS), 34010 Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Nicola Pirrone
- Istituto sull'inquinamento atmosferico, CNR-IIA, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Lars-Eric Heimbürger-Boavida
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS/INSU, Université de Toulon, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO) UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France
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6
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Methylmercury and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Mediterranean Seafood: A Molecular Anthropological Perspective. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app112311179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Eating seafood has numerous health benefits; however, it constitutes one of the main sources of exposure to several harmful environmental pollutants, both of anthropogenic and natural origin. Among these, methylmercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons give rise to concerns related to their possible effects on human biology. In the present review, we summarize the results of epidemiological investigations on the genetic component of individual susceptibility to methylmercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure in humans, and on the effects that these two pollutants have on human epigenetic profiles (DNA methylation). Then, we provide evidence that Mediterranean coastal communities represent an informative case study to investigate the potential impact of methylmercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the human genome and epigenome, since they are characterized by a traditionally high local seafood consumption, and given the characteristics that render the Mediterranean Sea particularly polluted. Finally, we discuss the challenges of a molecular anthropological approach to this topic.
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Gundacker C, Graf-Rohrmeister K, Gencik M, Hengstschläger M, Holoman K, Rosa P, Kroismayr R, Offenthaler I, Plichta V, Reischer T, Teufl I, Raffesberg W, Scharf S, Köhler-Vallant B, Delissen Z, Weiß S, Uhl M. Gene Variants Determine Placental Transfer of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Mercury (Hg) and Lead (Pb), and Birth Outcome: Findings From the UmMuKi Bratislava-Vienna Study. Front Genet 2021; 12:664946. [PMID: 34220941 PMCID: PMC8242356 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.664946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenol A (BPA), lead (Pb), total mercury (THg), and methylmercury (MeHg) can affect fetal development. Factors influencing placental transfer rate of these toxins are poorly investigated. Whether prenatal exposure to pollutants has an effect on birth weight is incompletely understood. We therefore aimed (1) to determine placental transfer rates of PFAS, BPA, Pb, THg, and MeHg, (2) to analyze relationships between fetal exposure and birth outcome and (3) to analyze gene variants as mediators of placental transfer rates and birth outcome. Two hundred healthy pregnant women and their newborns participated in the study. BPA, 16 PFAS, THg, MeHg, and Pb were determined using HPLCMS/MS (BPA, PFAS), HPLC-CV-ICPMS (MeHg), CV-AFS (THg), and GF-AAS (Pb). Questionnaires and medical records were used to survey exposure sources and birth outcome. 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms and two deletion polymorphisms were determined by real-time PCR from both maternal and newborn blood. Genotype-phenotype associations were analyzed by categorical regression and logistic regression analysis. Specific gene variants were associated with altered placental transfer of PFAS (ALAD Lys59Asn, ABCG2 Gln141Lys), THg (UGT Tyr85Asp, GSTT1del, ABCC1 rs246221) and Pb (GSTP1 Ala114Val). A certain combination of three gene polymorphisms (ABCC1 rs246221, GCLM rs41303970, HFE His63Asp) was over-represented in newborns small for gestational age. 36% of Austrian and 75% of Slovakian mothers had levels exceeding the HBM guidance value I (2 μg/L) of the German HBM Commission for PFOA. 13% of newborns and 39% of women had Ery-Pb levels above 24 μg/kg, an approximation for the BMDL01 of 12 μg/L set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Our findings point to the need to minimize perinatal exposures to protect fetal health, especially those genetically predisposed to increased transplacental exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Gundacker
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Karol Holoman
- University Hospital Bratislava-Ružinov, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Petra Rosa
- University Hospital Bratislava-Ružinov, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Renate Kroismayr
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, Vienna, Austria.,Environment Agency Austria, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Veronika Plichta
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Agency for Food and Health Safety, Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Reischer
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isabella Teufl
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Zoja Delissen
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Medgene, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency Austria, Vienna, Austria
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8
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Saavedra S, Fernández-Recamales Á, Sayago A, Cervera-Barajas A, González-Domínguez R, Gonzalez-Sanz JD. Impact of dietary mercury intake during pregnancy on the health of neonates and children: a systematic review. Nutr Rev 2021; 80:317-328. [PMID: 33954792 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Growing evidence suggests that prenatal exposure to methyl mercury through the maternal diet could have great influence on the neurological and physical development of neonates and young children. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to evaluate the clinical repercussions of maternal exposure to methyl mercury during pregnancy on the health of fetuses, neonates, and children up to 8 years of age. DATA SOURCES The Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Dialnet Plus databases were searched for articles published in English or Spanish from 1990 to 2020. STUDY SELECTION Original articles published in English or Spanish from 1990 to 2020 were eligible for inclusion. All study designs were eligible. Animal studies were excluded. Two authors independently screened studies for inclusion. From the 971 records initially identified, 19 studies were included in the systematic review. DATA EXTRACTION PRISMA guidelines were followed. Outcomes extracted included maternal dietary exposure to methyl mercury during pregnancy, possible health repercussions in offspring up to 8 years of age, and quantitative measurement of mercury in a biological sample. All studies met the requirements established for assessing both study quality and risk of bias. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to mercury was consistently associated with lower birth weight, but only one study reported a negative association with length at birth. Higher mercury levels were also related to lower scores in various neuropsychological and developmental tests. CONCLUSION The literature shows clear evidence of the adverse effects of maternal methyl mercury exposure on anthropometric variables and cognitive or physical development in children. It is noteworthy, however, that mercury toxicity may sometimes be mitigated by other essential nutrients in the maternal diet, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Saavedra
- S. Saavedra and J.D. Gonzalez-Sanz are with the Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. Á. Fernández-Recamales, A. Sayago, and R. González-Domínguez are with the AgriFood Laboratory, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain; and the Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. A. Cervera-Barajas is with the Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Ángeles Fernández-Recamales
- S. Saavedra and J.D. Gonzalez-Sanz are with the Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. Á. Fernández-Recamales, A. Sayago, and R. González-Domínguez are with the AgriFood Laboratory, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain; and the Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. A. Cervera-Barajas is with the Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Ana Sayago
- S. Saavedra and J.D. Gonzalez-Sanz are with the Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. Á. Fernández-Recamales, A. Sayago, and R. González-Domínguez are with the AgriFood Laboratory, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain; and the Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. A. Cervera-Barajas is with the Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Cervera-Barajas
- S. Saavedra and J.D. Gonzalez-Sanz are with the Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. Á. Fernández-Recamales, A. Sayago, and R. González-Domínguez are with the AgriFood Laboratory, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain; and the Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. A. Cervera-Barajas is with the Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Raúl González-Domínguez
- S. Saavedra and J.D. Gonzalez-Sanz are with the Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. Á. Fernández-Recamales, A. Sayago, and R. González-Domínguez are with the AgriFood Laboratory, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain; and the Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. A. Cervera-Barajas is with the Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Juan D Gonzalez-Sanz
- S. Saavedra and J.D. Gonzalez-Sanz are with the Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. Á. Fernández-Recamales, A. Sayago, and R. González-Domínguez are with the AgriFood Laboratory, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain; and the Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. A. Cervera-Barajas is with the Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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9
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Environmentally relevant developmental methylmercury exposures alter neuronal differentiation in a human-induced pluripotent stem cell model. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 152:112178. [PMID: 33831500 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Developmental methylmercury (MeHg) exposure selectively targets the cerebral and cerebellar cortices, as seen by disruption of cytoarchitecture and glutamatergic (GLUergic) neuron hypoplasia. To begin to understand the mechanisms of this loss of GLUergic neurons, we aimed to develop a model of developmental MeHg neurotoxicity in human-induced pluripotent stem cells differentiating into cortical GLUergic neurons. Three dosing paradigms at 0.1 μM and 1.0 μM MeHg, which span different stages of neurodevelopment and reflect toxicologically relevant accumulation levels seen in human studies and mammalian models, were established. With these exposure paradigms, no changes were seen in commonly studied endpoints of MeHg toxicity, including viability, proliferation, and glutathione levels. However, MeHg exposure induced changes in mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis and in markers of neuronal differentiation. Our novel data suggests that GLUergic neuron hypoplasia seen with MeHg toxicity may be due to the partial inhibition of neuronal differentiation, given the increased expression of the early dorsal forebrain marker FOXG1 and corresponding decrease in expression on neuronal markers MAP2 and DCX and the deep layer cortical neuronal marker TBR1. Future studies should examine the persistent and latent functional effects of this MeHg-induced disruption of neuronal differentiation as well as transcriptomic and metabolomic alterations that may mediate MeHg toxicity.
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10
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Baszuk P, Janasik B, Pietrzak S, Marciniak W, Reszka E, Białkowska K, Jabłońska E, Muszyńska M, Lesicka M, Derkacz R, Grodzki T, Wójcik J, Wojtyś M, Dębniak T, Cybulski C, Gronwald J, Kubisa B, Wójcik N, Pieróg J, Gajić D, Waloszczyk P, Scott RJ, Wąsowicz W, Jakubowska A, Lubiński J, Lener MR. Lung Cancer Occurrence-Correlation with Serum Chromium Levels and Genotypes. Biol Trace Elem Res 2021; 199:1228-1236. [PMID: 32648197 PMCID: PMC7886837 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-020-02240-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Exposure to environmental and occupational carcinogens is an important cause of lung cancer. One of these substances is chromium, which is found ubiquitously across the planet. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified chromium(VI) as a human carcinogen. The aim of this study was to assess whether serum chromium levels, as well as DNA variants in selected genes involved in carcinogenesis, xenobiotic-metabolism, and oxidative stress could be helpful in the detection of lung cancer. We conducted a study using 218 lung cancer patients and 218 matched healthy controls. We measured serum chromium levels and genotyped ten genetic variants in ERCC2, XRCC1, MT1B, GSTP1, ABCB1, NQ01, CRTC3, GPX1, SOD2 and CAT. The odds ratios of being diagnosed with lung cancer were calculated using conditional logistic regression with respect to serum chromium level and genotypes. The odds ratio for the occurrence of lung cancer increased with increasing serum chromium levels. The difference between the quartiles with the lowest vs. highest chromium level was more than fourfold in the entire group (OR 4.52, CI 2.17-9.42, p < 0.01). This correlation was significantly increased by more than twice when specific genotypes were taken into consideration (ERCC-rs12181 TT, OR 12.34, CI 1.17-130.01, p = 0.04; CRTC3-rs12915189 non GG, OR 9.73, CI 1.58-60.10, p = 0.01; GSTP1-rs1695 non AA, OR 9.47, CI 2.06-43.49, p = < 0.01; CAT-rs1001179 non CC, OR 9.18, CI 1.64-51.24, p = 0.01). Total serum chromium levels > 0.1 μg/L were correlated with 73% (52/71) of lung cancers diagnosed with stage I disease. Our findings support the role of chromium and the influence of key proteins on lung cancer burden in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Baszuk
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, International Hereditary Cancer Center, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Beata Janasik
- Biological and Environment Monitoring Department, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, ul.św. Teresy od dzieciątka Jezus 8, 91-348, Łódź, Poland
| | - Sandra Pietrzak
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, International Hereditary Cancer Center, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Wojciech Marciniak
- Read-Gene, Grzepnica, ul. Alabastrowa 8, 72-003, Grzepnica, Dobra(Szczecińska), Poland
| | - Edyta Reszka
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Epigenetics, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, ul.św. Teresy od dzieciątka Jezus 8, 91-348, Łódź, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Białkowska
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, International Hereditary Cancer Center, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Ewa Jabłońska
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Epigenetics, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, ul.św. Teresy od dzieciątka Jezus 8, 91-348, Łódź, Poland
| | - Magdalena Muszyńska
- Read-Gene, Grzepnica, ul. Alabastrowa 8, 72-003, Grzepnica, Dobra(Szczecińska), Poland
| | - Monika Lesicka
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Epigenetics, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, ul.św. Teresy od dzieciątka Jezus 8, 91-348, Łódź, Poland
| | - Róża Derkacz
- Read-Gene, Grzepnica, ul. Alabastrowa 8, 72-003, Grzepnica, Dobra(Szczecińska), Poland
| | - Tomasz Grodzki
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. A. Sokołowskiego 11, 70-891, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Janusz Wójcik
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. A. Sokołowskiego 11, 70-891, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Wojtyś
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. A. Sokołowskiego 11, 70-891, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Dębniak
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, International Hereditary Cancer Center, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Cezary Cybulski
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, International Hereditary Cancer Center, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Jacek Gronwald
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, International Hereditary Cancer Center, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Bartosz Kubisa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. A. Sokołowskiego 11, 70-891, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Norbert Wójcik
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. A. Sokołowskiego 11, 70-891, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Jarosław Pieróg
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. A. Sokołowskiego 11, 70-891, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Darko Gajić
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Transplantation, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. A. Sokołowskiego 11, 70-891, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Piotr Waloszczyk
- Independent Laboratory of Pathology, Zdunomed, ul. Energetyków 2, 70-656, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Rodney J Scott
- Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Pathology North, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Wojciech Wąsowicz
- Biological and Environment Monitoring Department, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, ul.św. Teresy od dzieciątka Jezus 8, 91-348, Łódź, Poland
| | - Anna Jakubowska
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, International Hereditary Cancer Center, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252, Szczecin, Poland
- Read-Gene, Grzepnica, ul. Alabastrowa 8, 72-003, Grzepnica, Dobra(Szczecińska), Poland
| | - Jan Lubiński
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, International Hereditary Cancer Center, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252, Szczecin, Poland
- Read-Gene, Grzepnica, ul. Alabastrowa 8, 72-003, Grzepnica, Dobra(Szczecińska), Poland
| | - Marcin R Lener
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, International Hereditary Cancer Center, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252, Szczecin, Poland.
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11
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Michelsen-Correa S, Martin CF, Kirk AB. Evaluation of Fetal Exposures to Metals and Metalloids through Meconium Analyses: A Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041975. [PMID: 33670707 PMCID: PMC7922990 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
This paper surveys the existing scientific literature on metals concentrations in meconium. We examine some 32 papers that analyzed meconium for aluminum, arsenic, barium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, lithium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, lead, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorus, lead, antimony, selenium, tin, vanadium, and zinc. Because of the lack of detail in the statistics it is not possible to do a rigorous meta-analysis. What stands out is that almost every study had subjects with seemingly large amounts of at least one of the metals. The significance of metals in meconium is not clear beyond an indication of exposure although some studies have correlated metals in meconium to a number of adverse outcomes. A number of outstanding questions have been identified that, if resolved, would greatly increase the utility of meconium analysis for assessment of long-term gestational metals exposures. Among these are questions of the developmental and long-term significance of metals detected in meconium, the kinetics and interactions among metals in maternal and fetal compartments and questions on best methods for meconium analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephani Michelsen-Correa
- AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow Hosted by EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Washington, DC 20004, USA;
| | - Clyde F. Martin
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea B. Kirk
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA;
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12
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Lukina AO, Fisher M, Khoury C, Than J, Guay M, Paradis JF, Arbuckle TE, Legrand M. Temporal variation of total mercury levels in the hair of pregnant women from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 264:128402. [PMID: 33022505 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128402] [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: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to total mercury (T-Hg) comes from both natural and anthropogenic sources. T-Hg can cross the blood-brain and placental barriers, and may be associated with future neurological and physiological dysfunctions. Scalp hair is an optimal and non-invasive indicator of chronic T-Hg exposure. As part of the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study, hair samples from 350 women were collected within weeks after giving birth, to determine temporal variations in T-Hg levels from preconception to delivery, and to compare these levels to corresponding levels measured in other matrices (maternal and umbilical cord blood, and infant's meconium). A maximum of 12 one-cm hair segments were cut starting at the scalp; segments closer to the scalp reflected recent exposure (within the last month). For proper comparison, the hair segments were matched with the collection dates for other matrices. GM hair T-Hg levels greatly decreased during pregnancy, from 0.26 μg g-1 (preconception or full-length hair) to 0.18 μg g-1 (at delivery or segments closer to the scalp). A similar decreasing trend was found for T-Hg in maternal blood: 1st trimester (0.60 μg L-1) to 3rd trimester (0.47 μg L-1). The median hair-to-blood ratios of T-Hg levels varied from 364 (1st trimester), to 408 (3rd trimester), to 229 (cord blood). Very low T-Hg levels were detected in meconium. Mercury levels in blood and hair correlated with consumption of large predatory fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna O Lukina
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Mandy Fisher
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Cheryl Khoury
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - John Than
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mireille Guay
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jean-François Paradis
- Health Products and Food Laboratories, Regulatory Operations and Regions Branch, Health Canada, Longueuil, QC, Canada
| | - Tye E Arbuckle
- Environmental Health Science & Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Melissa Legrand
- Family Physician, GMF Wakefield, 777 Riverside Dr., Wakefield, QC, Canada
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13
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Sánchez Rodríguez LH, Medina Pérez OM, Rondón González F, Rincón Cruz G, Rocha Muñoz L, Flórez-Vargas O. Genetic Polymorphisms in Multispecific Transporters Mitigate Mercury Nephrotoxicity in an Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Community in Colombia. Toxicol Sci 2020; 178:338-346. [PMID: 32946573 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In artisanal and small-scale gold mining, occupational exposure to mercury (Hg) vapor is related to harmful effects on several organs, including the kidneys. We previously reported significantly increased levels of Hg in blood and urine despite normal kidney function in individuals from Colombia occupationally exposed to Hg compared with those nonexposed. We evaluated the contribution of 4 genetic variants in key genes encoding the transporters solute carrier (SLC; rs4149170 and rs4149182) and ATP-binding cassette(ABC; rs1202169 and rs1885301) in the pathogenesis of nephrotoxicity due to Hg exposure in these groups. Regression analysis was performed to determine the association between the blood- and urine-Hg concentration with SLC and ABC polymorphisms in 281 Colombian individuals (160 exposed and 121 nonexposed to Hg). We found an enrichment of ABCB1 rs1202169-T allele in the exposed group (p = .011; OR= 2.05; 95% CI = 1.18-3.58) compared with the nonexposure group. We also found that carriers of SLC22A8 rs4149182-G and ABCB1 rs1202169-T alleles had a higher urinary clearance rate of Hg than noncarriers (β = 0.13, p = .04), whereas carriers of SLC22A6 rs4149170-A and ABCB1 rs1202169-C alleles showed abnormal levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate (β = -84.96, p = .040) and beta-2-microglobulin (β = 743.38, p < .001). Our results suggest that ABCB1 rs1202169 and its interaction with SLC22A8 rs4149182 and SLC22A6 rs4149170 could mitigate Hg nephrotoxicity by controlling the renal proximal tubule cell accumulation of inorganic Hg. This will be useful to estimate the risk of kidney toxicity associated to Hg and the genetic selection to aid adaptation to Hg-rich environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz Helena Sánchez Rodríguez
- Grupo de Inmunología y Epidemiología Molecular, Escuela de Microbiología.,Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental y Toxicogenética
| | - Olga Marcela Medina Pérez
- Grupo de Inmunología y Epidemiología Molecular, Escuela de Microbiología.,Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental y Toxicogenética.,Departamento de Ciencias Básicas
| | - Fernando Rondón González
- Grupo de Investigación en Microbiología y Genética, Escuela de Biología, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga 680002, Colombia
| | | | - Linda Rocha Muñoz
- Grupo CienciaUDES, Universidad de Santander, Bucaramanga 680003, Colombia
| | - Oscar Flórez-Vargas
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental y Toxicogenética.,Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4605
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14
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Gustin K, Barman M, Stråvik M, Levi M, Englund-Ögge L, Murray F, Jacobsson B, Sandberg AS, Sandin A, Wold AE, Vahter M, Kippler M. Low-level maternal exposure to cadmium, lead, and mercury and birth outcomes in a Swedish prospective birth-cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114986. [PMID: 32585550 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Observational studies have indicated that low-to-moderate exposure to cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) adversely affects birth anthropometry, but results are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to elucidate potential impact on birth anthropometry of exposure to Cd, Pb, and Hg in pregnant women, and to identify the main dietary sources. In the NICE (Nutritional impact on Immunological maturation during Childhood in relation to the Environment) birth-cohort in northern Sweden, blood and urine were collected from pregnant women in early third trimester. Cd, Pb and Hg were measured in erythrocytes (n = 584), and Cd also in urine (n = 581), by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Dietary data were collected through a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire administered in mid-third trimester. Birth anthropometry data were extracted from hospital records. In multivariable-adjusted spline regression models, a doubling of maternal erythrocyte Cd (median: 0.29 μg/kg) above the spline knot of 0.50 μg/kg was associated with reduced birth weight (B: -191 g; 95% CI: -315, -68) and length (-0.67 cm; -1.2, -0.14). The association with birth weight remained when the analysis was restricted to never-smokers. Likewise, a doubling of erythrocyte Hg (median 1.5 μg/kg, mainly MeHg) above 1.0 μg/kg, was associated with decreased birth weight (-59 g; -115, -3.0), and length (-0.29 cm; -0.54, -0.047). Maternal Pb (median 11 μg/kg) was unrelated to birth weight and length. Erythrocyte Cd was primarily associated with intake of plant derived foods, Pb with game meat, tea and coffee, and Hg with fish. The results indicated that low-level maternal Cd and Hg exposure were associated with poorer birth anthropometry. Further prospective studies in low-level exposed populations are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Gustin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Barman
- Food and Nutrition Science, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mia Stråvik
- Food and Nutrition Science, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Michael Levi
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda Englund-Ögge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Fiona Murray
- Odontology/Cariology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Sunderby Research Unit, Region Norrbotten, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Bo Jacobsson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Domain of Health Data and Digitalisation, Institute of Public Health Oslo, Norway
| | - Ann-Sofie Sandberg
- Food and Nutrition Science, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Sandin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Unit of Pediatrics, Sunderby Research Unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Agnes E Wold
- Institute of Biomedicine, Dept, of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marie Vahter
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Kippler
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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15
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Sekovanić A, Piasek M, Orct T, Sulimanec Grgec A, Matek Sarić M, Stasenko S, Jurasović J. Mercury Exposure Assessment in Mother-Infant Pairs from Continental and Coastal Croatia. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060821. [PMID: 32471193 PMCID: PMC7355586 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The main source of mercury (Hg) exposure in the general population is fish. Another possible source is dental amalgam. Here, we compare the levels of Hg and selenium (Se) in samples of maternal and fetal origin collected shortly after childbirth of healthy postpartum women in the coastal (n = 96) and continental (n = 185) areas of Croatia related to maternal seafood/fish consumption. We also evaluated Hg concentrations and maternal serum metallothionein (MT2) concentrations in relation to the number of dental amalgam fillings, and MT2A-5A/G (rs28366003) polymorphism. The levels of Hg and Se in maternal hair and blood/serum, placenta and cord blood/serum increased in relation to increasing fish consumption with the highest values in subjects from the coast. The concentrations of each element and between elements correlated across the matrices. Increasing amalgam number correlated linearly with increased Hg levels in maternal and cord serum and was not associated with serum MT2. No association of MT2A-5A/G polymorphism and Hg or Se levels were found. The results confirmed higher fish consumption in coastal vs. continental Croatia and increases of both Hg and Se related to fish consumption in all analyzed samples. Increased blood Hg reflected the predominant MeHg share from seafood, while increased serum Hg matched exposure from dental amalgams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankica Sekovanić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.G.); (J.J.)
| | - Martina Piasek
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.G.); (J.J.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tatjana Orct
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.G.); (J.J.)
| | - Antonija Sulimanec Grgec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.G.); (J.J.)
| | | | - Sandra Stasenko
- Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Jasna Jurasović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (T.O.); (A.S.G.); (J.J.)
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16
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Vecchi Brumatti L, Rosolen V, Mariuz M, Piscianz E, Valencic E, Bin M, Athanasakis E, D'Adamo P, Fragkiadoulaki E, Calamandrei G, Dinckol Ö, Barbone F, Ronfani L. Impact of Methylmercury and Other Heavy Metals Exposure on Neurocognitive Function in Children Aged 7 Years: Study Protocol of the Follow-up. J Epidemiol 2020; 31:157-163. [PMID: 32249266 PMCID: PMC7813770 DOI: 10.2188/jea.je20190284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The extent to which prenatal low-level mercury (Hg) exposure through maternal fish intake and heavy metals exposure affect children’s neurodevelopment is controversial and may appear in the long term. In 2007, a prospective cohort, the Northern Adriatic Cohort II (NAC-II), was established to investigate the association between prenatal Hg exposure from maternal fish consumption and child neurodevelopment. The study enrolled 900 pregnant women, and 632 and 470 children underwent neurodevelopmental evaluation at 18 and 40 months of age, respectively. The NAC-II cohort is a part of the Mediterranean cohort in the “Public health impact of long-term, low-level, mixed element exposure in susceptible population strata” project. Methods This protocol describes the follow-up assessment of the effects of prenatal low level Hg and other heavy metals exposure on the developing nervous system of the children born within the NAC-II who reached the age of 7 years. Child diet components are estimated through a Diet Diary. Child hair and urine are collected for determination of Hg level. In addition, levels of other potentially neurotoxic metals, namely Manganese, Cadmium, Lead, Arsenic, and Selenium, are also measured in the same matrices. Discussion This protocol extends to the first years of schooling age the evaluation of the neurotoxicant effect of Mercury and of the other heavy metals on children’s neurodevelopment, adjusting for the potential confounders, such as the lifestyles and social economic status of children’s families. Longitudinal analysis of neurodevelopment, assessed in different ages (18 months, 40 months, and 7 years), are performed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marika Mariuz
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, University of Udine and Institute of Hygiene and Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital of Udine
| | - Elisa Piscianz
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo"
| | - Erica Valencic
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo"
| | - Maura Bin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo"
| | | | - Pio D'Adamo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo".,Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste
| | | | | | | | - Fabio Barbone
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo"
| | - Luca Ronfani
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo"
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Yang L, Zhang Y, Wang F, Luo Z, Guo S, Strähle U. Toxicity of mercury: Molecular evidence. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 245:125586. [PMID: 31881386 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Minamata disease in Japan and the large-scale poisoning by methylmercury (MeHg) in Iraq caused wide public concerns about the risk emanating from mercury for human health. Nowadays, it is widely known that all forms of mercury induce toxic effects in mammals, and increasing evidence supports the concern that environmentally relevant levels of MeHg could impact normal biological functions in wildlife. The information of mechanism involved in mercurial toxicity is growing but knowledge gaps still exist between the adverse effects and mechanisms of action, especially at the molecular level. A body of data obtained from experimental studies on mechanisms of mercurial toxicity in vivo and in vitro points to that disruption of the antioxidant system may play an important role in the mercurial toxic effects. Moreover, the accumulating evidence indicates that signaling transduction, protein or/and enzyme activity, and gene regulation are involving in mediating toxic and adaptive response to mercury exposure. We conducted here a comprehensive review of mercurial toxic effects on wildlife and human, in particular synthesized key findings of molecular pathways involved in mercurial toxicity from the cells to human. We discuss the molecular evidence related mercurial toxicity to the adverse effects, with particular emphasis on the gene regulation. The further studies relying on Omic analysis connected to adverse effects and modes of action of mercury will aid in the evaluation and validation of causative relationship between health outcomes and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Zidie Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Shaojuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Uwe Strähle
- Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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Julvez J, Smith GD, Ring S, Grandjean P. A Birth Cohort Study on the Genetic Modification of the Association of Prenatal Methylmercury With Child Cognitive Development. Am J Epidemiol 2019; 188:1784-1793. [PMID: 31241132 PMCID: PMC6768817 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwz156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic predisposition might affect neurodevelopmental outcomes of prenatal methylmercury exposure. We examined suspected heterogeneities for modification of exposure-related neurodevelopment in children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (1991–2000), Bristol, United Kingdom. A subgroup (n = 1,127 from a pilot study and 1,045 from the present study) was identified based on the availability of the mercury concentration of cord tissue as a measure of prenatal methylmercury exposure, data on 247 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children intelligence quotient (IQ) scores. Log10-transformed mercury concentration was positively associated with IQ, but adjustment for confounding cofactors attenuated this association. A finding of enhanced interaction with methylmercury was replicated in this study for the minor allele of rs1042838 (progesterone receptor) (β = −11.8, 95% confidence interval: −23.0, −0.6; P for interaction = 0.004) and weakly for rs662 (paraoxonase 1) (β = −3.6, 95% confidence interval: −11.4, 4.3; P = 0.117). In the joint sample, new interacting single-nucleotide polymorphisms were discovered in relation to superoxide dismutase 2, ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 1, and metallothionein 1M genes. While the low-level prenatal exposure to methylmercury was not associated with child cognition, progesterone receptor rs1042838 minor alleles revealed a negative association of mercury exposure with IQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Julvez
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health –Campus MAR, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - George Davey Smith
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Susan Ring
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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McCaulley ME. Autism spectrum disorder and mercury toxicity: use of genomic and epigenetic methods to solve the etiologic puzzle. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2019. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2019-010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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20
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Barbone F, Rosolen V, Mariuz M, Parpinel M, Casetta A, Sammartano F, Ronfani L, Vecchi Brumatti L, Bin M, Castriotta L, Valent F, Little DL, Mazej D, Snoj Tratnik J, Miklavčič Višnjevec A, Sofianou K, Špirić Z, Krsnik M, Osredkar J, Neubauer D, Kodrič J, Stropnik S, Prpić I, Petrović O, Vlašić-Cicvarić I, Horvat M. Prenatal mercury exposure and child neurodevelopment outcomes at 18 months: Results from the Mediterranean PHIME cohort. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2018; 222:9-21. [PMID: 30057028 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neurotoxicity due to acute prenatal exposure to high-dose of mercury (Hg) is well documented. However, the effect of prenatal exposure to low Hg levels on child neurodevelopment and the question about "safety" of fish-eating during pregnancy remain controversial. International comparisons of Hg concentrations in mother-child biological samples and neurodevelopmental scores embedded in birth cohort studies may provide useful evidence to explore this issue. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Mediterranean (Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Greece) cohort study included 1308 mother-child pairs enrolled in the Public Health Impact of long-term, low-level, Mixed Element exposure in a susceptible population EU Sixth Framework Programme (PHIME). Maternal hair and venous blood, cord blood and breast milk samples were collected, and total Hg (THg) levels were measured. Demographic and socioeconomic information, lifestyles and nutritional habits were collected through questionnaires at different phases of follow-up. Children at 18 months of age underwent neurodevelopmental testing using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III). Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were performed, for each country, to assess the association between THg and BSID-III scores, obtaining adjusted β coefficients and odds ratios (ORs). These values were used to conduct a meta-analysis, to explore possible heterogeneity among countries and to obtain combined estimates of the association between THg exposure and BSID-III scores. RESULTS Median THg (ng/g) was: 704 in maternal hair, 2.4 in maternal blood, 3.6 in cord blood, and 0.6 in breast milk. THg concentrations were highest in Greece and lowest in Slovenia. BSID-III neurodevelopmental scores were higher in Croatia and Slovenia. The meta-analysis of multivariate linear models found an overall positive association between language composite score and receptive communication scaled score and increasing THg in maternal hair (n = 1086; β = 0.55; 95%CI: 0.05-1.05 and n = 1075; β = 0.12; 95%CI: 0.02-0.22, respectively). The meta-analysis of logistic regression models showed that the overall adjusted OR between THg in cord blood and suboptimal gross motor score was borderline significant (n = 882; OR = 1.03; 95%CI: 1.00-1.07). Heterogeneity was found across the four sub-cohorts for language composite score in maternal blood, and for fine motor scaled score in cord blood and breast milk. Language composite score and THg concentrations in maternal venous blood were positively related (n = 58; β = 4.29; CI95% (-0.02, 8.60)) in Croatia and an increase of 1 ng/g of THg in maternal venous blood was associated with a reduced risk for children to fall in the lowest quintile of language score by 31% (n = 58; OR = 0.69; CI 95%: 0.37, 1.01). The comparison of β coefficients obtained by multiple linear regression model showed an inverse association between fine motor score and THg concentrations in cord blood for Croatia (n = 54; β = -0.53; CI 95%: -1.10, 0.04) and Slovenia (n = 225; β = -0.25; CI 95%: -0.49, -0.01). In Slovenia THg level in breast milk was associated with suboptimal fine motor performance (n = 195; OR = 5.25; CI 95%: 1.36, 21.10). CONCLUSIONS This study showed an inverse relation between THg levels and developmental motor scores at 18 months, although the evidence was weak and partially internally and externally inconsistent. No evidence of detrimental effects of THg was found for cognitive and language outcomes at these concentrations and age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Barbone
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", via dell'Istria, 65/1, 34137, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Valentina Rosolen
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, via Colugna 50, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Marika Mariuz
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, via Colugna 50, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Maria Parpinel
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, via Colugna 50, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Anica Casetta
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, via Colugna 50, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Francesca Sammartano
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, via Colugna 50, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Luca Ronfani
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", via dell'Istria, 65/1, 34137, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Liza Vecchi Brumatti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", via dell'Istria, 65/1, 34137, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Maura Bin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", via dell'Istria, 65/1, 34137, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Luigi Castriotta
- Institute of Hygiene and Clinical Epidemiology Academic Hospital of Udine, via Colugna 50, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Francesca Valent
- Institute of Hygiene and Clinical Epidemiology Academic Hospital of Udine, via Colugna 50, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - D'Anna Latesha Little
- Azienda per I'Assistenza Sanitaria n. 5 Friuli Occidentale, via Piave 54 33170 Pordenone (PN), Italy.
| | - Darja Mazej
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39 SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39 SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; International Postgraduate School Jozef Stefan, Jamova 39 SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | | | - Katia Sofianou
- Institute of Child Health, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Thivon & Papadiamantopoulou, Goudi, 115 27, Athens, Greece.
| | - Zdravko Špirić
- Green Infrastructure Ltd., Fallerovo Setaliste 22, 10.000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | | | | | | | - Jana Kodrič
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | | | - Igor Prpić
- The Clinical Hospital Center of Rijeka, Krešimirova 42, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Oleg Petrović
- The Clinical Hospital Center of Rijeka, Krešimirova 42, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia.
| | | | - Milena Horvat
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39 SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; International Postgraduate School Jozef Stefan, Jamova 39 SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Ou L, Wang H, Chen C, Chen L, Zhang W, Wang X. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling of human lactational transfer of methylmercury in China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 115:180-187. [PMID: 29574338 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury can readily cross the human placental barrier and the blood-brain barrier and cause damage to the vulnerable developing brains of the fetus and infants. Most of the previous studies on the maternal transfer of methylmercury to the next generation have focused on the prenatal period. In this study, human physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models of methylmercury were established for breastfeeding mothers and suckling infants based on the existing model prototypes of previous studies. Relevant parameters of the models were modified, and the validation was conducted based on measured data in North China. The models could effectively describe the human lactational transfer of methylmercury, including the time-dependent methylmercury levels in different tissues and organs of the breastfeeding mothers and suckling infants. The results indicated that 77.2% and 14.9% of methylmercury were excreted via hair and breast milk, respectively, from breastfeeding mothers during the first year after delivery. Meanwhile, 79.2% was excreted from the suckling infants during the first year after delivery via hair. Lactational transfer of methylmercury was considered an important pathway of methylmercury exposure for the breastfeeding infants, which accounted for approximately 80% of the accumulated adverse impacts at the early stages of human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Langbo Ou
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Huanhuan Wang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Cen Chen
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Long Chen
- School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China.
| | - Xuejun Wang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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22
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Vorojeikina D, Broberg K, Love TM, Davidson PW, van Wijngaarden E, Rand MD. Editor's Highlight: Glutathione S-Transferase Activity Moderates Methylmercury Toxicity During Development in Drosophila. Toxicol Sci 2017; 157:211-221. [PMID: 28184905 PMCID: PMC5837650 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutathione (GSH) pathways play a central role in methylmercury (MeHg) metabolism and elimination, largely due to formation of a more readily transported MeHg-GSH conjugate. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) have therefore been proposed to facilitate MeHg elimination by catalyzing MeHg-GSH conjugation. A role for human GSTP1 in MeHg disposition is suggested by the association of two common polymorphisms in the coding region (Ile105Val and Ala114Val) with Hg levels in either blood or hair. In this study, we investigated a functional role for GSTs in modulating MeHg toxicity during development. Using the Drosophila model to execute targeted manipulations of both endogenous GSTs and introduced human GSTP1 variants we correlate gene and protein expression levels with GST activity and also with MeHg body burden and developmental outcomes. RNAi knockdown of endogenous GSTD1, GSTE1, or GSTS1, individually, increased susceptibility to MeHg during pupal development resulting in a reduced rate of adult eclosion. Exogenous expression of human GSTP1 in developing flies resulted in increased MeHg tolerance relative to control flies as seen with elevated eclosion rates when reared on MeHg containing food. Furthermore, the GSTP1105 and GSTP1114 variants showed a reduced enzyme activity relative to wild-type GSTP1 (GSTP1wt). Finally, we observed a trend whereby Hg body burden was inversely related to the levels of GST activity. However, in some instances GSTP1 expression resulted in increased eclosion rates without reducing Hg body burden suggesting that GSTs interact with MeHg via both toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic mechanisms. These findings indicate that GSTs moderate MeHg toxicity during development in our experimental model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karin Broberg
- The Institute of Environmental Medicine, Unit of Metals & Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Tanzy M. Love
- Department of Pediatrics
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology
| | | | - Edwin van Wijngaarden
- Department of Environmental Medicine
- Department of Pediatrics
- Department of Public Health SciencesDepartment of Dentistry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
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Branco V, Caito S, Farina M, Teixeira da Rocha J, Aschner M, Carvalho C. Biomarkers of mercury toxicity: Past, present, and future trends. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2017; 20:119-154. [PMID: 28379072 PMCID: PMC6317349 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2017.1289834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) toxicity continues to represent a global health concern. Given that human populations are mostly exposed to low chronic levels of mercurial compounds (methylmercury through fish, mercury vapor from dental amalgams, and ethylmercury from vaccines), the need for more sensitive and refined tools to assess the effects and/or susceptibility to adverse metal-mediated health risks remains. Traditional biomarkers, such as hair or blood Hg levels, are practical and provide a reliable measure of exposure, but given intra-population variability, it is difficult to establish accurate cause-effect relationships. It is therefore important to identify and validate biomarkers that are predictive of early adverse effects prior to adverse health outcomes becoming irreversible. This review describes the predominant biomarkers used by toxicologists and epidemiologists to evaluate exposure, effect and susceptibility to Hg compounds, weighing on their advantages and disadvantages. Most importantly, and in light of recent findings on the molecular mechanisms underlying Hg-mediated toxicity, potential novel biomarkers that might be predictive of toxic effect are presented, and the applicability of these parameters in risk assessment is examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasco Branco
- a Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia , Universidade de Lisboa , Lisboa , Portugal
| | - Sam Caito
- b Department of Molecular Pharmacology , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , New York , USA
| | - Marcelo Farina
- c Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina , Florianópolis , Brazil
| | - João Teixeira da Rocha
- d Departamento Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular , Universidade Federal de Santa Maria , Santa Maria , RS , Brazil
| | - Michael Aschner
- b Department of Molecular Pharmacology , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , New York , USA
| | - Cristina Carvalho
- a Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia , Universidade de Lisboa , Lisboa , Portugal
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Genetic Aspects of Susceptibility to Mercury Toxicity: An Overview. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14010093. [PMID: 28106810 PMCID: PMC5295343 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14010093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human exposure to mercury is still a major public health concern. In this context, children have a higher susceptibility to adverse neurological mercury effects, compared to adults with similar exposures. Moreover, there exists a marked variability of personal response to detrimental mercury action, in particular among population groups with significant mercury exposure. New scientific evidence on genetic backgrounds has raised the issue of whether candidate susceptibility genes can make certain individuals more or less vulnerable to mercury toxicity. In this review, the aim is to evaluate a new genetic dimension and its involvement in mercury risk assessment, focusing on the important role played by relevant polymorphisms, located in attractive gene targets for mercury toxicity. Existing original articles on epidemiologic research which report a direct link between the genetic basis of personal vulnerability and different mercury repercussions on human health will be reviewed. Based on this evidence, a careful evaluation of the significant markers of susceptibility will be suggested, in order to obtain a powerful positive “feedback” to improve the quality of life. Large consortia of studies with clear phenotypic assessments will help clarify the “window of susceptibility” in the human health risks due to mercury exposure.
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25
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Snoj Tratnik J, Falnoga I, Trdin A, Mazej D, Fajon V, Miklavčič A, Kobal AB, Osredkar J, Sešek Briški A, Krsnik M, Neubauer D, Kodrič J, Stropnik S, Gosar D, Lešnik Musek P, Marc J, Jurkovič Mlakar S, Petrović O, Vlašić-Cicvarić I, Prpić I, Milardović A, Radić Nišević J, Vuković D, Fišić E, Špirić Z, Horvat M. Prenatal mercury exposure, neurodevelopment and apolipoprotein E genetic polymorphism. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 152:375-385. [PMID: 27616663 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between prenatal exposure to mercury (Hg) and neurodevelopment of the child, taking into account genetic polymorphism of apolipoprotein E (Apoe) and other relevant confounders. Six hundred and one mother-child pairs were recruited from the central Slovenia region and 243 from Rijeka, on the Croatian coast of the northern Adriatic. The total Hg in cord blood, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) assessment at 18 months of age and Apoe genotyping was performed on 361 children; 237 of them were from Slovenia and 124 from Croatia. The results showed negative association between low-to-moderate Hg exposure in children with normal neurodevelopmental outcome and cognitive and fine motor scores at 18 months of age as assessed by Bayley III. The Hg-related decrease in cognitive score was observed only in children carrying at least one Apoe ε4 allele, while the decrease in fine motor scores was independent of the Apoe genotype. Adjusting for selenium (Se) and lead (Pb) levels, a positive association between Se and the language score and a negative association between Pb and the motor score was observed, but not in the subgroup of children carrying the ε4 allele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Snoj Tratnik
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ingrid Falnoga
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ajda Trdin
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Mazej
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Fajon
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Miklavčič
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alfred B Kobal
- Ex-Department of Occupational Health, Idrija Mercury Mine, Idrija, Slovenia
| | - Joško Osredkar
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Clinical Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Sešek Briški
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Clinical Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mladen Krsnik
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Clinical Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David Neubauer
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Division of Paediatrics, Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, Slovenia
| | - Jana Kodrič
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Division of Paediatrics, Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, Slovenia
| | - Staša Stropnik
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Division of Paediatrics, Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, Slovenia
| | - David Gosar
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Division of Paediatrics, Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, Slovenia
| | - Petra Lešnik Musek
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Division of Paediatrics, Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, Slovenia
| | - Janja Marc
- University in Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Slovenia
| | | | - Oleg Petrović
- University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Department of Paediatrics, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Igor Prpić
- University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Department of Paediatrics, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ana Milardović
- University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Department of Paediatrics, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Danijela Vuković
- University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Department of Paediatrics, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Elizabeta Fišić
- University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Department of Paediatrics, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Milena Horvat
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Lovely C, Rampersad M, Fernandes Y, Eberhart J. Gene-environment interactions in development and disease. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2017; 6:10.1002/wdev.247. [PMID: 27626243 PMCID: PMC5191946 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Developmental geneticists continue to make substantial jumps in our understanding of the genetic pathways that regulate development. This understanding stems predominantly from analyses of genetically tractable model organisms developing in laboratory environments. This environment is vastly different from that in which human development occurs. As such, most causes of developmental defects in humans are thought to involve multifactorial gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. In this review, we discuss how gene-environment interactions with environmental teratogens may predispose embryos to structural malformations. We elaborate on the growing number of gene-ethanol interactions that might underlie susceptibility to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. WIREs Dev Biol 2017, 6:e247. doi: 10.1002/wdev.247 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Lovely
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mindy Rampersad
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Yohaan Fernandes
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Johann Eberhart
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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Abstract
Studies on the precise impact of environmental pollutants on human health are difficult to undertake and interpret, because many genetic and environmental factors influence health at the same time and to varying degrees. Our chapter in the AMAP report was based on new approaches to describe risks and future needs. In this paper, we will introduce the issues associated with risk assessment of single chemicals, and present suggestions for future studies as well as a summary of lessons learned during the health-related parts of the European Union-funded FP7 project ArcRisk (Arctic Health Risks: Impacts on health in the Arctic and Europe owing to climate-induced changes in contaminant cycling, 2009–2014; www.arcrisk.eu).
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Abass
- Centre for Arctic Medicine, Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Research Unit of Biomedicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Pesticides, Menoufia University, Egypt; ;
| | - Anders Carlsen
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Arja Rautio
- Centre for Arctic Medicine, Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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28
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Llop S, Ballester F, Murcia M, Forns J, Tardon A, Andiarena A, Vioque J, Ibarluzea J, Fernández-Somoano A, Sunyer J, Julvez J, Rebagliato M, Lopez-Espinosa MJ. Prenatal exposure to mercury and neuropsychological development in young children: the role of fish consumption. Int J Epidemiol 2016; 46:827-838. [DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyw259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
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29
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Genetics of the human placenta: implications for toxicokinetics. Arch Toxicol 2016; 90:2563-2581. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1816-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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30
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Engström K, Love TM, Watson GE, Zareba G, Yeates A, Wahlberg K, Alhamdow A, Thurston SW, Mulhern M, McSorley EM, Strain JJ, Davidson PW, Shamlaye CF, Myers GJ, Rand MD, van Wijngaarden E, Broberg K. Polymorphisms in ATP-binding cassette transporters associated with maternal methylmercury disposition and infant neurodevelopment in mother-infant pairs in the Seychelles Child Development Study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2016; 94:224-229. [PMID: 27262785 PMCID: PMC4980164 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters have been associated with methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity in experimental animal models. AIMS To evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in maternal ABC transporter genes with 1) maternal hair MeHg concentrations during pregnancy and 2) child neurodevelopmental outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nutrition Cohort 2 (NC2) is an observational mother-child cohort recruited in the Republic of Seychelles from 2008-2011. Total mercury (Hg) was measured in maternal hair growing during pregnancy as a biomarker for prenatal MeHg exposure (N=1313) (mean 3.9ppm). Infants completed developmental assessments by Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II) at 20months of age (N=1331). Genotyping for fifteen SNPs in ABCC1, ABCC2 and ABCB1 was performed for the mothers. RESULTS Seven of fifteen ABC SNPs (ABCC1 rs11075290, rs212093, and rs215088; ABCC2 rs717620; ABCB1 rs10276499, rs1202169, and rs2032582) were associated with concentrations of maternal hair Hg (p<0.001 to 0.013). One SNP (ABCC1 rs11075290) was also significantly associated with neurodevelopment; children born to mothers with rs11075290 CC genotype (mean hair Hg 3.6ppm) scored on average 2 points lower on the Mental Development Index (MDI) and 3 points lower on the Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) than children born to mothers with TT genotype (mean hair Hg 4.7ppm) while children with the CT genotype (mean hair Hg 4.0ppm) had intermediate BSID scores. DISCUSSION Genetic variation in ABC transporter genes was associated with maternal hair Hg concentrations. The implications for MeHg dose in the developing child and neurodevelopmental outcomes need to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Engström
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), C6, Metals and Health, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tanzy M Love
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 671, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Gene E Watson
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 671, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Grazyna Zareba
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 671, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Alison Yeates
- The Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Karin Wahlberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ayman Alhamdow
- Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), C6, Metals and Health, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sally W Thurston
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 671, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Maria Mulhern
- The Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Emeir M McSorley
- The Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - J J Strain
- The Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Philip W Davidson
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 671, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | | | - G J Myers
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 671, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Matthew D Rand
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 671, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Edwin van Wijngaarden
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 671, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Karin Broberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 22185 Lund, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), C6, Metals and Health, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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31
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Biomonitoring of Lead, Cadmium, Total Mercury, and Methylmercury Levels in Maternal Blood and in Umbilical Cord Blood at Birth in South Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:13482-93. [PMID: 26516876 PMCID: PMC4627044 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph121013482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2015] [Revised: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
With rising concerns of heavy metal exposure in pregnancy and early childhood, this study was conducted to assess the relationship between the lead, cadmium, mercury, and methylmercury blood levels in pregnancy and neonatal period. The study population included 104 mothers and their children pairs who completed both baseline maternal blood sampling at the second trimester and umbilical cord blood sampling at birth. The geometric mean maternal blood levels of lead, cadmium, total mercury, and methylmercury at the second trimester were 1.02 ± 1.39 µg/dL, 0.61 ± 1.51 µg/L, 2.97 ± 1.45 µg/L, and 2.39 ± 1.45 µg/L, respectively, and in the newborns, these levels at birth were 0.71 ± 1.42 µg/dL, 0.01 ± 5.31 µg/L, 4.44 ± 1.49 µg/L, and 3.67 ± 1.51 µg/L, respectively. The mean ratios of lead, cadmium, total mercury, and methylmercury levels in the newborns to those in the mothers were 0.72, 0.04, 1.76, and 1.81, respectively. The levels of most heavy metals in pregnant women and infants were higher in this study than in studies from industrialized western countries. The placenta appears to protect fetuses from cadmium; however, total mercury and methylmercury were able to cross the placenta and accumulate in fetuses.
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Kummu M, Sieppi E, Koponen J, Laatio L, Vähäkangas K, Kiviranta H, Rautio A, Myllynen P. Organic anion transporter 4 (OAT 4) modifies placental transfer of perfluorinated alkyl acids PFOS and PFOA in human placental ex vivo perfusion system. Placenta 2015; 36:1185-91. [PMID: 26303760 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.07.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) are widely used in industry and consumer products. Pregnant women are exposed to PFAAs and their presence in umbilical cord blood represents fetal exposure. Interestingly, PFAAs are substrates for organic anion transporters (OAT) of which OAT4 is expressed in human placenta. METHODS To evaluate the contribution of OAT4 and ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) proteins in the transplacental transfer of perfluoro octane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluoro octanoate (PFOA) an ex vivo dual recirculating human placental perfusion was used. Altogether 8 placentas from healthy mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies were successfully perfused. RESULTS Both PFOS and PFOA crossed the placenta as suggested by in vivo data in the literature. The expression of OAT4 and ABCG2 proteins were studied by immunoblotting and correlation with the transfer index %(TI %) of PFOS and PFOA at 120 and 240 min (n = 4) was studied. The expression of OAT4 was in negative correlation with TI % of PFOA (R(2) = 0.92, p = 0.043) and PFOS (R(2) = 0.99, p = 0.007) at 120 min while at 240 min the correlation was statistically significant only with PFOA. The expression of ABCG2 did not correlate with TI% of PFOS or PFOA. DISCUSSION Data obtained in this study suggest the involvement of OAT4 in placental passage of PFAAs. Placental passage of PFOS and PFOA is modified by the transporter protein OAT4 but not by ABCG2. This is the first study indicating that OAT4 may decrease the fetal exposure to PFAAs and protect the fetus after maternal exposure to PFAAs but further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kummu
- Research Group of Biomedicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, Finland; Center for Arctic Medicine, Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - E Sieppi
- Research Group of Biomedicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, Finland; Center for Arctic Medicine, Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - J Koponen
- THL National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Environmental Health, Kuopio, Finland
| | - L Laatio
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - K Vähäkangas
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy/Toxicology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - H Kiviranta
- THL National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Environmental Health, Kuopio, Finland
| | - A Rautio
- Center for Arctic Medicine, Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - P Myllynen
- Center for Arctic Medicine, Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Nordlab Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
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Llop S, Ballester F, Broberg K. Effect of Gene-Mercury Interactions on Mercury Toxicokinetics and Neurotoxicity. Curr Environ Health Rep 2015; 2:179-94. [DOI: 10.1007/s40572-015-0047-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Multifactorial Origin of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Approaches to Understanding Complex Etiologies. TOXICS 2015; 3:89-129. [PMID: 29056653 PMCID: PMC5634696 DOI: 10.3390/toxics3010089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A significant body of evidence supports the multifactorial etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) affecting children. The present review focuses on early exposure to environmental chemicals as a risk factor for neurodevelopment, and presents the major lines of evidence derived from epidemiological studies, underlying key uncertainties and research needs in this field. We introduce the exposome concept that, encompassing the totality of human environmental exposures to multiple risk factors, aims at explaining individual vulnerability and resilience to early chemical exposure. In this framework, we synthetically review the role of variable gene backgrounds, the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms as well as the function played by potential effect modifiers such as socioeconomic status. We describe laboratory rodent studies where the neurodevelopmental effects of environmental chemicals are assessed in the presence of either a “vulnerable” gene background or adverse pregnancy conditions (i.e., maternal stress). Finally, we discuss the need for more descriptive and “lifelike” experimental models of NDDs, to identify candidate biomarkers and pinpoint susceptible groups or life stages to be translated to large prospective studies within the exposome framework.
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Lohren H, Bornhorst J, Galla HJ, Schwerdtle T. The blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier – first evidence for an active transport of organic mercury compounds out of the brain. Metallomics 2015; 7:1420-30. [DOI: 10.1039/c5mt00171d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hg strongly transfers across the blood–CSF barrier towards the blood side after incubation with organic Hg compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Lohren
- Department of Food Chemistry
- Institute of Nutritional Science
- University of Potsdam
- 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Julia Bornhorst
- Department of Food Chemistry
- Institute of Nutritional Science
- University of Potsdam
- 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
| | | | - Tanja Schwerdtle
- Department of Food Chemistry
- Institute of Nutritional Science
- University of Potsdam
- 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
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36
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Montgomery SL, Vorojeikina D, Huang W, Mackay TFC, Anholt RRH, Rand MD. Genome-wide association analysis of tolerance to methylmercury toxicity in Drosophila implicates myogenic and neuromuscular developmental pathways. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110375. [PMID: 25360876 PMCID: PMC4215868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a persistent environmental toxin present in seafood that can compromise the developing nervous system in humans. The effects of MeHg toxicity varies among individuals, despite similar levels of exposure, indicating that genetic differences contribute to MeHg susceptibility. To examine how genetic variation impacts MeHg tolerance, we assessed developmental tolerance to MeHg using the sequenced, inbred lines of the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP). We found significant genetic variation in the effects of MeHg on development, measured by eclosion rate, giving a broad sense heritability of 0.86. To investigate the influence of dietary factors, we measured MeHg toxicity with caffeine supplementation in the DGRP lines. We found that caffeine counteracts the deleterious effects of MeHg in the majority of lines, and there is significant genetic variance in the magnitude of this effect, with a broad sense heritability of 0.80. We performed genome-wide association (GWA) analysis for both traits, and identified candidate genes that fall into several gene ontology categories, with enrichment for genes involved in muscle and neuromuscular development. Overexpression of glutamate-cysteine ligase, a MeHg protective enzyme, in a muscle-specific manner leads to a robust rescue of eclosion of flies reared on MeHg food. Conversely, mutations in kirre, a pivotal myogenic gene identified in our GWA analyses, modulate tolerance to MeHg during development in accordance with kirre expression levels. Finally, we observe disruptions of indirect flight muscle morphogenesis in MeHg-exposed pupae. Since the pathways for muscle development are evolutionarily conserved, it is likely that the effects of MeHg observed in Drosophila can be generalized across phyla, implicating muscle as an additional hitherto unrecognized target for MeHg toxicity. Furthermore, our observations that caffeine can ameliorate the toxic effects of MeHg show that nutritional factors and dietary manipulations may offer protection against the deleterious effects of MeHg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara L. Montgomery
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Daria Vorojeikina
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Wen Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Genetics Program, and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Trudy F. C. Mackay
- Department of Biological Sciences, Genetics Program, and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Robert R. H. Anholt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Genetics Program, and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Matthew D. Rand
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
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