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Baia-da-Silva DC, Mendes PFS, Silva DCBD, Chemelo VS, Bittencourt LO, Padilha PM, Oriá RB, Aschner M, Lima RR. What does scientometry tell us about mercury toxicology and its biological impairments? Heliyon 2024; 10:e27526. [PMID: 38586377 PMCID: PMC10998116 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Mercury is a toxic pollutant that poses risks to both human and environmental health, making it a pressing public health concern. This study aimed to summarize the knowledge on mercury toxicology and the biological impairments caused by exposure to mercury in experimental studies and/or diagnosis in humans. The research was conducted on the main collection of Web of Science, employing as a methodological tool a bibliometric analysis. The selected articles were analyzed, and extracted data such as publication year, journal, author, title, number of citations, corresponding author's country, keywords, and the knowledge mapping was performed about the type of study, chemical form of mercury, exposure period, origin of exposure, tissue/fluid of exposure measurement, mercury concentration, evaluation period (age), mercury effect, model experiments, dose, exposure pathway, and time of exposure. The selected articles were published between 1965 and 2021, with Clarkson TW being the most cited author who has also published the most articles. A total of 38% of the publications were from the USA. These studies assessed the prenatal and postnatal effects of mercury, emphasizing the impact of methylmercury on neurodevelopment, including motor and cognitive evaluations, the association between mercury and autism, and an evaluation of its protective effects against mercury toxicity. In observational studies, the blood, umbilical cord, and hair were the most frequently used for measuring mercury levels. Our data analysis reveals that mercury neurotoxicology has been extensively explored, but the association among the outcomes evaluated in experimental studies has yet to be strengthened. Providing metric evidence on what is unexplored allows for new studies that may help governmental and non-governmental organizations develop guidelines and policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiane Claydes Baia-da-Silva
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Paulo Fernando Santos Mendes
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Diane Cleydes Baia da Silva
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Victória Santos Chemelo
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Oliveira Bittencourt
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Pedro Magalhães Padilha
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Reinaldo Barreto Oriá
- Laboratory of Tissue Healing, Ontogeny and Nutrition, Department of Morphology, School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
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Zhao S, Yang X, Xu Q, Li H, Su Y, Xu Q, X Li Q, Xia Y, Shen R. Association of maternal metals exposure, metabolites and birth outcomes in newborns: A prospective cohort study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 179:108183. [PMID: 37690219 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108183] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal exposure to metals may pose a risk to the health of newborns, however, the underlying mechanisms remain ambiguous. Herein, we aimed to investigate the influence of metals exposure on birth outcomes and reveal the importance of metabolites in the exposure-outcomes association by using metabolomics methods. METHODS In our study, 292 mother-pairs were included who were recruited from the affiliated hospitals of Nanjing Medical University between 2006 and 2011. We measured fifteen metals (mercury, lead, vanadium, arsenic, zinc, cadmium, rubidium, copper, cobalt, iron, molybdenum, strontium, thallium, magnesium and calcium) and metabolites in maternal second trimester serums by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography high resolution accurate mass spectrometry, respectively. A multi-step statistical analysis strategy including exposome-wide association study (ExWAS) model, variable selection models and multiple-exposure models were performed to systematically appraise the associations of individual and mixed metals exposure with birth outcomes. Furthermore, differential metabolites that associated with metals exposure and birth outcomes were identified using linear regression models. RESULTS Metal's levels in maternal serums ranged from 0.05 μg/L to 1864.76 μg/L. In the ExWAS model, maternal exposure to arsenic was negatively associated with birth weight (β = 188.83; 95% CI: -368.27, -9.39), while maternal mercury exposure showed a positive association (β = 533.65; 95%CI: 179.40, 887.90) with birth weight. Moreover, each unit increase in mercury (1 ng/mL-log transformed) was associated with a 1.82 week-increase (95%CI: 0.85, 2.79) in gestational age. These findings were subsequently validated by variable selection models and multiple exposure models. Metabolomic analysis further revealed the significant role of 3-methyladenine in the relationship between arsenic exposure and birth weight. CONCLUSION This study provides new epidemiological evidence indicating the associations of metals exposure and neonatal birth outcomes, and emphasizes the potential role of metabolite biomarkers and their importance in monitoring adverse birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Hang Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Su
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing X Li
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Rong Shen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China.
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Dack K, Wootton RE, Taylor CM, Lewis SJ. Prenatal Mercury Exposure and Infant Weight Trajectories in a UK Observational Birth Cohort. TOXICS 2022; 11:10. [PMID: 36668736 PMCID: PMC9864311 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is highly toxic metal found in trace quantities in common foods. There is concern that exposure during pregnancy could impair infant development. Epidemiological evidence is mixed, but few studies have examined postnatal growth. Differences in nutrition, exposures, and the living environment after birth may make it easier to detect a negative impact from mercury toxicity on infant growth. This study includes 544 mother-child pairs from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Blood mercury was measured in early pregnancy and infant weight at 10 intervals between 4 and 61 months. Mixed-effect models were used to estimate the change in infant weight associated with prenatal mercury exposure. The estimated difference in monthly weight gain was -0.02 kg per 1 standard deviation increase in Hg (95% confidence intervals: -0.10 to 0.06 kg). When restricted to the 10th decile of Hg, the association with weight at each age level was consistently negative but with wide confidence intervals. The lack of evidence for an association may indicate that at Hg levels in this cohort (median 1.9 µg/L) there is minimal biological impact, and the effect is too small to be either clinically relevant or detectable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Dack
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Robyn E. Wootton
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, 0771 Oslo, Norway
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Caroline M. Taylor
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1NU, UK
| | - Sarah J. Lewis
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
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Rani L, Srivastav AL, Kaushal J. Bioremediation: An effective approach of mercury removal from the aqueous solutions. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 280:130654. [PMID: 34162069 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg(II)) is the 16th rarest element present in the earth's crust. Due to rapid industrialization and urban expansions, the mercury concentration has been elevated in the environment. Hg(II) contamination in the aqueous environment has become a great challenge for human beings. The main source of Hg(II) in the aqueous phase is untreated effluent industries (such as the paper industry). Hg(II) is non-biodegradable in nature and even its trace amount in an aqueous environment can pose chronic threats among the humans (damage to the central nervous system, respiratory system, and cardiovascular system, mutation of DNA), animals, and aquatic creatures. Therefore, the removal of mercury from aqueous solutions is an urgent need of the modern era. The conventional techniques such as ion exchange, precipitation, membrane filtrations are costly and also generate byproducts in the environment. Bioremediation is a sustainable, environmentally sound, and cost-effective technique to remove Hg(II) from the aqueous solutions. In this process, naturally occurring microorganisms are utilized to remove the Hg(II) from the aqueous solutions. Lentinus edodes, U. lactuca, and Typha domingensis are found to have great potential to remove mercury from water ranged from ~100 mg g-1 to 337 mg g-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lata Rani
- Centre for Water Sciences, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering & Technology, Chitkara University, Punjab, 140 417, India; School of Basic Sciences, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, 174 103, India
| | - Arun Lal Srivastav
- Chitkara University School of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, 174 103, India.
| | - Jyotsna Kaushal
- Centre for Water Sciences, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering & Technology, Chitkara University, Punjab, 140 417, India
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Tong M, Yu J, Liu M, Li Z, Wang L, Yin C, Ren A, Chen L, Jin L. Total mercury concentration in placental tissue, a good biomarker of prenatal mercury exposure, is associated with risk for neural tube defects in offspring. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 150:106425. [PMID: 33581418 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the role of total mercury (T-Hg) in placenta as a biomarker of prenatal mercury (Hg) exposure and determine the association between prenatal Hg exposure and risk for neural tube defects (NTDs) in offspring. METHODS Total Hg concentrations in placental tissue were detected in 408 NTD cases and 593 healthy controls enrolled in Shanxi province in northern China. Methylmercury (MeHg) and T-Hg were also detected in the umbilical cord of 147 NTD cases and 140 healthy controls. In addition, MeHg and T-Hg were detected in fetal kidney, liver, and brain tissues of 51 NTD cases. Spearman's rank correlation (rs) was used to evaluate the correlations between placental T-Hg and T-Hg in umbilical cord and fetal kidney, liver, and brain tissues. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare T-Hg amounts between case and control groups. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between placental T-Hg and risk for NTDs. RESULTS Placental T-Hg was significantly correlated with T-Hg in umbilical cord (rs = 0.479), kidney (rs = 0.718), liver (rs = 0.656), and brain (rs = 0.512) tissues (all p < 0.001). The median (25th percentile-75th percentile) concentration for placental T-Hg in the NTD case group was 8.91 (5.00-17.1) ng/g dry weight (d.w.), significantly higher than that in the healthy control group (4.99 [3.26-7.93] ng/g d.w., p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, higher levels of T-Hg in placenta were associated with increased risk for NTDs in offspring (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.13-2.76), and a dose-response relationship was found (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The concentration of T-Hg in placenta is a good biomarker for estimating prenatal Hg exposure, which is associated with increased risk for NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingkun Tong
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jingru Yu
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ming Liu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ecological Environment Simulation and Protection, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Zhiwen Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chenghong Yin
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Aiguo Ren
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Laiguo Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ecological Environment Simulation and Protection, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Guangzhou 510655, China.
| | - Lei Jin
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
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Branco V, Aschner M, Carvalho C. Neurotoxicity of mercury: an old issue with contemporary significance. ADVANCES IN NEUROTOXICOLOGY 2021; 5:239-262. [PMID: 34263092 PMCID: PMC8276940 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ant.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Mercury exerts a variety of toxic effects, depending on the specific compound and route of exposure. However, neurotoxicity in virtue of its consequence to health causes the greatest concern for toxicologists. This is particularly true regarding fetal development, where neurotoxic effects are much more severe than in adults, and the toxicity threshold is lower. Here, we review the major concepts regarding the neurotoxicity of mercury compounds (mercury vapor; methylmercury and ethylmercury), from exposure routes to toxicokinetic particularities leading to brain deposition and the development of neurotoxic effects. Albeit research on the neurotoxicity of mercury compounds has significantly advanced from the second half of the twentieth century onwards, several grey areas regarding the mechanism of toxicity still exist. Thus, we emphasize research advances during the last two decades concerning the molecular interactions of mercury which cause neurotoxic effects. Highlights include the disruption of glutamate signaling and excitotoxicity resulting from exposure to mercury and the interaction with redox active residues such as cysteines and selenocysteines which are the premise accounting for the disruption of redox homeostasis caused by mercurials. We also address how immunotoxic effects at the CNS, namely microglia and astrocyte activation modulate developmental neurotoxicity, a major topic in contemporary research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasco Branco
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, USA
| | - Cristina Carvalho
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
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Kim B, Shah S, Park HS, Hong YC, Ha M, Kim Y, Kim BN, Kim Y, Ha EH. Adverse effects of prenatal mercury exposure on neurodevelopment during the first 3 years of life modified by early growth velocity and prenatal maternal folate level. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:109909. [PMID: 32871452 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Previous studies have suggested that mercury exposure and folate levels during pregnancy may influence early childhood neurodevelopment. Rapid catch-up growth in children is associated with an increased risk of pathological nervous system development. We evaluated whether the association between prenatal folate and mercury-related neuropsychological dysfunction was modified by growth velocity during childhood. METHODS The Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) birth cohort study began in 2006 and by 2010, 1751 women had been enrolled before the second trimester of their pregnancy along with their partners. Participants visited the research center at birth and 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. We measured mercury levels in maternal and cord blood and folate in maternal serum. Questionnaires to evaluate the environment and health of their child were administered and anthropometric factors including body weight and height were measured. Certified investigators used the Bayley test to measure neurobehavioral outcomes. We calculated postnatal growth change as the change in infant weight for-age z-score between birth and 3 years. Multiple linear regression and mixed models were used to examine the association between mercury exposure and children's neurodevelopment as well as the modifying effects of folate and growth velocity. RESULTS A total of 30.6% of children experienced rapid growth during the first 3 years of life. Median values of mercury in the low folate group were significantly higher in rapid growers (3.41 μg/L in maternal blood and 5.63 μg/L in cord blood) than in average/slow growers (3.05 μg/L in maternal blood and 5.19 μg/L in cord blood). Rapid growers were also significantly associated with decreased psychomotor development scores during the first 3 years of life and with having mothers who had low prenatal folate levels, even after adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSION Prenatal mercury exposure adversely affects infant neurodevelopment and is associated with rapid growth during the first 3 years of life. This effect was limited to children whose mothers had low prenatal folate levels, suggesting a protective effect of folate against developmental neurotoxicity due to mercury exposure and rapid catch-up growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byungmi Kim
- National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Surabhi Shah
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Sook Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mina Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yangho Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Boong-Nnyun Kim
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Human Behavioral Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeni Kim
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Center for Mental Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Hee Ha
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Exposure to mercury induced early apoptotic signals in human placental BeWo cells through alteration of cell cycle regulation. Mol Cell Toxicol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s13273-020-00098-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Mercury Exposure and Health Problems of the Students Using Skin-Lightening Cosmetic Products in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. COSMETICS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/cosmetics7030058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite legal and safety issues, skin-lightening cosmetic products—including hazardous mercury-containing cosmetics—are in increasing demand in Indonesia. Perceptions of beauty may result in desires to have lighter skin tones, regardless of the safety of these cosmetics, which block the production of melanin and thus lighten skin tone. This study investigated Hg exposure of students using skin-lightening cosmetics and assessed the health issues. A total of 105 female students were given a questionnaire regarding their use of cosmetics; a further 43 students formed a non-cosmetic-user control group. Their scalp hair and cosmetic products were analyzed by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) spectroscopy. The geometric-mean hair Hg concentration for the cosmetics-using students was 6.7 µg g−1—three times that of the control group (2.3 µg g−1). Of twenty-seven cosmetic samples were analyzed, twenty had Hg concentrations of 0.12–7834.4 µg g−1 (mean 554.6 µg g−1), and seven had no detectable Hg. The hair Hg concentrations exhibited a statistically significant correlation with cosmetic Hg concentration. The health assessments indicated only rigidity & ataxia and irregular eye movement were prevalent in the cosmetic-using students with less than 7% occurrences.
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Kabamba M, Tuakuila J. Toxic metal (Cd, Hg, Mn, Pb) partition in the maternal/foetal unit: A systematic mini - review of recent epidemiological studies. Toxicol Lett 2020; 332:20-26. [PMID: 32569801 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to summarise the available information regarding the partition of toxic metal (Cd, Hg, Mn, Pb) levels in the maternal/foetal unit from large epidemiological studies. We performed a systematic search of PubMed/MedLine, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science for papers on Cd, total Hg, Mn or Pb levels in the maternal/cord blood that were published in English (n > = 200; 2010-2017). Data on year of publication, sample size, location, year of survey, and main results were extracted. We found a total of 35 papers. Most studies included large convenience samples of healthy pregnant women. The maternal/cord blood was properly used as a biomarker of prenatal exposure to toxic metals. The partition of these toxic metal levels in the maternal/foetal unit was metal-specific. Cd median levels (IQR) in cord blood reported worldwide were much lower [∼ 70 % < LOD = ± 0.11 μg/L] than those found in maternal blood [0.23 μg/L (0.15-0.35), ∼ 65 % > LOD]. Considering that Cd was under LOD in 70 % of the cord blood, Cd cord:maternal ratio as well as Cd cord proportion were not provided. Total Hg median levels (IQR) in cord blood [0.75 μg/L (0.40-1.19), ∼30 % < LOD = ±0.35 μg/L] were usually higher than in maternal blood [0.55 μg/L (0.40-0.85), ∼ 10 % < LOD = ±0.15 μg/L]. Hg cord:maternal ratio was 1.34 (1.00-1.91), and infants born would have Hg cord:(cord + maternal) proportion ranged from 0.50 to 0.63. Mn was the only metal that was detected in 100 % in both maternal (LOD : ±0.50 μg/L) and cord (LOD = ±0.2 μg/L) blood. Mn median levels (IQR) in cord blood [32.96 μg/L (26.90-40.10)] were 2 times higher than in maternal blood [14.01 μg/L (11.50-17.58)]. Mn cord:maternal ratio was 2.35 (1.09-3.80), and infants born would have Mn proportion ranged from 0.52 to 0.79. Pb median levels (IQR) in cord blood [5.79 μg/L (4.34-8.38), ∼ 5% < LOD : ±2.07 μg/L] were usually equal to or lower than those reported in maternal blood [8.07 μg/L (5.79-10.76), ∼ 1% < LOD = ±1.03 μg/L]. Pb cord:maternal ratio was 0.71 (0.59-0.96), and infants born would have Pb proportion ranged from 0.37 to 0.49. Globally, the results indicate that total Hg and Mn levels were lower in maternal blood but higher in cord blood. However, much greater variability was seen with Cd and Pb. At delivery, total Hg and Pb levels in maternal blood were strong predictors of cord blood levels. Our findings empty that understanding the partition, levels and correlations of toxic metals in the maternal/cord blood may help to elucidate the adverse effects of these metals on foetuses and neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kabamba
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - J Tuakuila
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
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11
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Recent developments in environmental mercury bioremediation and its toxicity: A review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enmm.2020.100283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Reference values for heavy metals in the urine and blood of Saudi women derived from two human biomonitoring studies. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 225:113473. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Trdin A, Falnoga I, Fajon V, Živković I, Snoj Tratnik J, Prpić I, Špirić Z, Horvat M. Mercury speciation in meconium and associated factors. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 179:108724. [PMID: 31627028 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Meconium is formed early in gestation and it is normally not excreted until after birth. Thus it may provide a longer and cumulative record of exposure to mercury (Hg). The present study aims to speciate Hg in meconium samples (N = 488) from Slovenian and Croatian new-borns prenatally exposed to low levels of methyl-Hg (MeHg) from maternal seafood intake and to Hg0 from maternal dental amalgam fillings. We had complete data of total Hg (THg) and MeHg in meconium and THg in maternal hair (MH), while THg and MeHg in maternal blood (MB) were available only for Croatian mothers. Personal data namely maternal seafood intake, age, pre-pregnancy BMI, parity, smoking, estimated gestational age at birth, sex, and birth weight were available for the majority of participants, except the number of dental amalgams which was in most cases missing for Croatian mothers. The median THg concentration in meconium was 11.1 (range: 0.41-375.2) ng/g and inorganic Hg (Hg(II)) presented 98.8% (range: 82%-100%, CV: 2%) of THg. We observed significant correlation between meconium and MH Hg levels, with the highest correlation between hair THg and meconium MeHg. Correlation analysis including MB (available only for Croatian population) showed a significant positive correlation between THg in meconium and THg in MB (Rs = 0.642). Additionally, MeHg from MB was correlated with MeHg in meconium (Rs = 0.898), while the correlation between Hg(II) in MB and meconium was positive, but not significant. Maternal seafood intake was significantly correlated with meconium MeHg (Rs = 0.498) and Hg(II) (Rs = 0.201). Multiple linear regression (performed on the Slovenian population, N = 143) confirmed a positive association between meconium MeHg and seafood intake. Furthermore, meconium Hg(II) was positively associated with the number of maternal dental amalgam fillings, but linear regression models did not confirm correlation between seafood intake and meconium Hg(II) levels. We assume that Hg0 released from maternal dental amalgam fillings and MeHg from seafood intake were both transported through the placental barrier and portioned between different foetal compartments including meconium. Weak correlation between maternal seafood intake and Hg(II) levels in meconium suggests that there is certain evidence of MeHg demethylation. However, because this correlation was not confirmed by the multiple regression, MeHg demethylation during prenatal life cannot be neither confirmed nor excluded. Further investigations at higher level of exposure are needed to confirm this observations. We can conclude that meconium is a suitable biomarker for MeHg and Hg0 exposure during pregnancy. However, comparability of the results reported in meconium in different studies is hindered by a lack of standardized sampling protocols, storage, and analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajda Trdin
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ingrid Falnoga
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Fajon
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Živković
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Prpić
- Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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14
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Mercury in the retina and optic nerve following prenatal exposure to mercury vapor. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220859. [PMID: 31390377 PMCID: PMC6685637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Damage to the retina and optic nerve is found in some neurodegenerative disorders, but it is unclear whether the optic pathway and central nervous system (CNS) are affected by the same injurious agent, or whether optic pathway damage is due to retrograde degeneration following the CNS damage. Finding an environmental agent that could be responsible for the optic pathway damage would support the hypothesis that this environmental toxicant also triggers the CNS lesions. Toxic metals have been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, and mercury has been found in the retina and optic nerve of experimentally-exposed animals. Therefore, to see if mercury exposure in the prenatal period could be one link between optic pathway damage and human CNS disorders of later life, we examined the retina and optic nerve of neonatal mice that had been exposed prenatally to mercury vapor, using a technique, autometallography, that detects the presence of mercury within cells. Pregnant mice were exposed to a non-toxic dose of mercury vapor for four hours a day for five days in late gestation, when the mouse placenta most closely resembles the human placenta. The neonatal offspring were sacrificed one day after birth and gapless serial sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks containing the eyes were stained with silver nitrate autometallography to detect inorganic mercury. Mercury was seen in the nuclear membranes of retinal ganglion cells and endothelial cells. A smaller amount of mercury was present in the retinal inner plexiform and inner nuclear layers. Mercury was conspicuous in the peripapillary retinal pigment epithelium. In the optic nerve, mercury was seen in the nuclear membranes and processes of glia and in endothelial cells. Optic pathway and CNS endothelial cells contained mercury. In conclusion, mercury is taken up preferentially by fetal retinal ganglion cells, optic nerve glial cells, the retinal pigment epithelium, and endothelial cells. Mercury induces free radical formation, autoimmunity, and genetic and epigenetic changes, so these findings raise the possibility that mercury plays a part in the pathogenesis of degenerative CNS disorders that also affect the retina and optic nerve.
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Merlo E, Schereider IRG, Simões MR, Vassallo DV, Graceli JB. Mercury leads to features of polycystic ovary syndrome in rats. Toxicol Lett 2019; 312:45-54. [PMID: 31071422 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal and Hg exposure is associated with various neural, immune, and cardiovascular abnormalities. However, few studies have evaluated Hg's toxicologic effect on reproductive and metabolic functions. In this study, we assessed whether Hg exposure results in reproductive and metabolic abnormalities. Hg was administered to adult female Wistar rats, mimicking the Hg levels found in exposed human blood, and their reproductive and metabolic function was assessed. Rats exposed to Hg displayed abnormal estrous cyclicity and ovarian follicular development, with a reduction in ovarian antral follicles and an increase in atretic and cystic ovarian follicles. Uterine atrophy with the presence of inflammatory cells was observed in Hg-exposed rats. The presence of abnormal ovarian fat accumulation, as well as increased ovarian lipid drops accumulation, was observed in Hg-exposed rats. Ovarian oxidative stress was also present in the Hg-exposed rats. High fasting glucose levels, glucose, and insulin intolerance were observed in Hg-exposed rats. Thus, these data suggest that Hg exposure led to abnormal reproductive and metabolic features similar to those found in the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Merlo
- Dept of Morphology, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | | | - Maylla R Simões
- Dept of Physiology, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | | | - Jones B Graceli
- Dept of Morphology, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil.
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Hameed ERA, Sherif LS, Samie OMA, Ahmed HH, Ahmed A, Atta H, Waheed H, Fahmy RF. Mercury Materno-fetal Burden and Its Nutritional Impact. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2018; 6:1652-1658. [PMID: 30337982 PMCID: PMC6182524 DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2018.364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mercury exists worldwide in food, water and air throwing its health hazards on all body systems. AIM: To show the influence of the presence of mercury in pregnant mothers’ blood on its level in the umbilical cord blood; and to display the relationship between the different foodstuff on the mercury levels in pregnant mothers’ and umbilical cord blood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on randomly chosen 113 pregnant mothers at the time of labour and on their newborns. Full history, sociodemographic data and food frequency questionnaire for dietary assessment were recorded. The Maternal and neonatal anthropometric measurements together with the Apgar scoring were also measured. Serum mercury levels in both mothers’ and umbilical cord blood were measured using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: A high percentage of mothers (82.3%) were exposed to passive smoking. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the maternal and fetal umbilical cord blood mercury levels (p = 0.002). There was an insignificant negative correlation between the maternal blood and fetal umbilical cord blood mercury levels on one side and each of the different foodstuff on the other side (fish, vegetables, fruits and proteins, for example, meat and legumes). An insignificant positive correlation was found between dairy products and of the maternal blood and umbilical cord blood mercury levels. CONCLUSION: The fetal umbilical cord blood mercury levels correlate positively with the maternal blood mercury. The different foodstuff can influence the maternal and umbilical cord blood mercury levels whether by increase or decrease. Strict measures should be taken to decrease environmental mercury contamination with attention to pregnant mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enas R Abdel Hameed
- Child Health Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Lobna S Sherif
- Child Health Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ola M Abdel Samie
- Child Health Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hanaa H Ahmed
- Hormones Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Hala Atta
- El-Galaa Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hisham Waheed
- Child Health Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reham F Fahmy
- Child Health Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
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17
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Alves AC, Monteiro MS, Machado AL, Oliveira M, Bóia A, Correia A, Oliveira N, Soares AMVM, Loureiro S. Mercury levels in parturient and newborns from Aveiro region, Portugal. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2017; 80:697-709. [PMID: 28524771 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2017.1286926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Since the outbreak of methylmercury (MeHg) poisoning in Japan and Iraq, mercury (Hg) is classified as well-established teratogen. The Portuguese region of Aveiro faced some decades ago an environmental Hg contamination due to activities from a chlor-alkali plant. Until now, no apparent evaluation was conducted regarding prenatal exposure to Hg in this area. The main objectives of this study were to: i) assess maternal and fetal exposure to Hg in the Aveiro region using noninvasive biological matrices; ii) examine the influence of variables that may contribute to Hg exposure during pregnancy; and iii) improve knowledge regarding metal accumulation and distribution over the maternal-fetal-placental unit. This study was performed in 50 mother-newborn pairs from the Aveiro district. Total Hg (THg) was quantified in maternal scalp hair, placenta, amniotic membrane, and umbilical cord. Maternal hair presented THg levels with a mean value of 900 ng/g, which is lower than the USEPA and WHO acceptable threshold. Regarding THg levels in placenta and umbilical cord, mean values were similar (decidua basalis: 32.84 ng/g; chorionic plate: 30.18 ng/g; umbilical cord: 30.67 ng/g). The amniotic membrane presented the highest THg levels with a mean concentration of 42.35 ng/g, reaching a maximum of 134.1 ng/g. Further, a significant positive correlation was noted between THg levels found in hair, and all matrices analyzed reinforcing the use of hair in biomonitoring studies with respect to maternal exposure to Hg. In general, levels of THg found in our study were lower than those in previous studies performed in Europe. Consumption of fish rich in selenium and bottled water was negatively correlated with THg levels. Finally, data demonstrated that Hg is capable of crossing the placental barrier and accumulate in placental tissues. Amniotic membrane seemed to play a role in metal detoxification, but further investigations are necessary to examine whether this catabolic process affects Hg accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catarina Alves
- a Department of Biology & Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do MAR (CESAM) , University of Aveiro , Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Marta S Monteiro
- a Department of Biology & Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do MAR (CESAM) , University of Aveiro , Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Ana Luísa Machado
- a Department of Biology & Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do MAR (CESAM) , University of Aveiro , Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Mário Oliveira
- b Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Infante D.Pedro Hospital , Centro Hospitalar Baixo , Vouga , EPE, Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Ana Bóia
- b Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Infante D.Pedro Hospital , Centro Hospitalar Baixo , Vouga , EPE, Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Ana Correia
- b Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Infante D.Pedro Hospital , Centro Hospitalar Baixo , Vouga , EPE, Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Nuno Oliveira
- b Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Infante D.Pedro Hospital , Centro Hospitalar Baixo , Vouga , EPE, Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Amadeu M V M Soares
- a Department of Biology & Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do MAR (CESAM) , University of Aveiro , Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Susana Loureiro
- a Department of Biology & Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do MAR (CESAM) , University of Aveiro , Aveiro , Portugal
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18
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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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19
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Awasthi AK, Zeng X, Li J. Response to "Letter to the editor re: Awasthi et al., 2016 (Environ Sci Pollut Res 23(12): 11509-11532)". ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:25512-25514. [PMID: 27796977 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7765-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Kumar Awasthi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Rm. 805, Sino-Italian Environment and Energy Efficient Building, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xianlai Zeng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Rm. 805, Sino-Italian Environment and Energy Efficient Building, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Jinhui Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Rm. 805, Sino-Italian Environment and Energy Efficient Building, Beijing, 100084, China.
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20
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Awasthi AK, Zeng X, Li J. Relationship between e-waste recycling and human health risk in India: a critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:11509-32. [PMID: 26880523 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6085-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Informal recycling of waste (including e-waste) is an emerging source of environmental pollution in India. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and heavy metals, among other substances, are a major health concern for workers engaged in waste disposal and processing, and for residents living near these facilities, and are also a detriment to the natural environment. The main objective of this review article was to evaluate the status of these impacts. The review found that, huge quantity of e-waste/waste generated, only a small amount is treated formally; the remainder is processed through the informal sector. We also evaluated the exposure pathways, both direct and indirect, and the human body load markers (e.g., serum, blood, breast milk, urine, and hair), and assessed the evidence for the association between these markers and e-waste exposure. Our results indicated that the open dumping and informal e-waste recycling systems should be replaced by the best available technology and environmental practices, with proper monitoring and regular awareness programs for workers and residents. Further and more detailed investigation in this area is also recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Kumar Awasthi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Rm. 805, Sino-Italian Environment and Energy Efficient Building, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xianlai Zeng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Rm. 805, Sino-Italian Environment and Energy Efficient Building, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jinhui Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Rm. 805, Sino-Italian Environment and Energy Efficient Building, Beijing, 100084, China.
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21
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Hsi HC, Hsu YW, Chang TC, Chien LC. Methylmercury Concentration in Fish and Risk-Benefit Assessment of Fish Intake among Pregnant versus Infertile Women in Taiwan. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155704. [PMID: 27187161 PMCID: PMC4871344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in fish, the daily MeHg exposure dose, and the risk-benefit of MeHg, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) related to fish intake among pregnant and infertile women in Taiwan. The measured MeHg concentrations in fish did not exceed the Codex guideline level of 1 mg/kg. Swordfish (0.28 ± 0.23 mg/kg) and tuna (0.14 ± 0.13 mg/kg) had the highest MeHg concentrations. The MeHg concentration in the hair of infertile women (1.82 ± 0.14 mg/kg) was significantly greater than that of pregnant women (1.24 ± 0.18 mg/kg). In addition, 80% of infertile women and 68% of pregnant women had MeHg concentrations in hair that exceeded the USEPA reference dose (1 mg/kg). The MeHg concentrations in hair were significantly and positively correlated with the estimated daily MeHg exposure dose. Based on the risk-benefit evaluation results, this paper recommends consumption of fish species with a low MeHg concentration and high concentrations of DHA + EPA and ω-3 PUFA (e.g., salmon, mackerel, and greater amberjack).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsing-Cheng Hsi
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - You-Wen Hsu
- Institute of Environmental Engineering and Management, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tien-Chin Chang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering and Management, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Chu Chien
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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22
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Al-Saleh I, Abduljabbar M, Al-Rouqi R, Eltabache C, Al-Rajudi T, Elkhatib R, Nester M. The extent of mercury (Hg) exposure among Saudi mothers and their respective infants. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2015; 187:678. [PMID: 26450688 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-015-4858-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A total of 1016 healthy Saudi mothers and their respective infants (aged 3-12 months) were recruited from 57 Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to evaluate the extent of mercury (Hg) exposure and predict its sources in the healthy Saudi population. Total Hg levels were measured in maternal urine, breast milk, blood, and hair and in the infants' urine and hair. Only 1.9% of the mothers had urinary Hg (UHg)>10 μg/l, the limit for asymptomatic adults recommended by the World Health Organization, but the median (0.99 μg/l) was higher than in other countries. Also, 49.3% of the mothers had UHg>1 μg/l, the German reference value for adults. Median infant UHg was 0.729 μg/l, and 77 and 93 % of the infants had levels higher than 0.4 and 0.1 μg/l, the reference values of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and for Germany, respectively. The median Hg level in breast milk was 0.884 μg/l. Even though 43.2% of the milk samples were above the background level for Hg in human milk (1 μg/l), our results were lower than those reported from other countries. Median maternal total Hg in blood was 0.637 μg/l, and only 0.4 and 6.9% of samples were higher than the Hg reference levels of 5.8 μg/l of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and of 2 μg/l for Germany, respectively. Total Hg levels in hair (HHg) varied widely among mothers and infants, but only 3.9% of the mothers and 2.8% of the infants had HHg>1 μg/g (the EPA reference level). Median HHg values were 0.117 μg/g dry weight in mothers and 0.1 μg/g dry weight in infants; both were lower than in other countries. The Hg levels in mothers and their respective infants were relatively low, but our results were consistent with other studies indicating that dental amalgam fillings and fish consumption were the main predictors of maternal Hg exposure. Among the several biomarkers of Hg exposure, Hg levels in maternal hair and urine were the strongest predictors of infant exposure. The lack of an association between Hg in breast milk and Hg in infant urine and hair suggested that the infants were exposed to Hg predominately during pregnancy rather than during breastfeeding. We expect that our data can serve as a baseline for further biomonitoring and follow-up studies, particularly of the long-term impact of Hg on childhood neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Al-Saleh
- Environmental Health Section, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, PO Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mai Abduljabbar
- Environmental Health Section, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, PO Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem Al-Rouqi
- Environmental Health Section, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, PO Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Chafica Eltabache
- Environmental Health Section, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, PO Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tahreer Al-Rajudi
- Environmental Health Section, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, PO Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rola Elkhatib
- Environmental Health Section, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, PO Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael Nester
- Department of Neurosciences, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, PO Box: 3354, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
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Abstract
Environmental toxicants such as methylmercury have been shown to negatively impact fetal health. Despite the prevalence of inorganic mercury (Hg(2+)) in the environment and the ability of methylmercury to biotransform into Hg(2+), little is known about the ability of Hg(2+) to cross the placenta into fetal tissues. Therefore, it is important to understand the handing and disposition of Hg(2+) in the reproductive system. The purpose of the current study was to assess the disposition and transport of Hg(2+) in placental and fetal tissues, and to test the hypothesis that acute renal injury in dams can alter the accumulation of Hg(2+) in fetal tissues. Pregnant Wistar rats were injected intravenously with 0.5 or 2.5 μmol kg(-1) HgCl2 for 6 or 48 h and the disposition of Hg(2+) was measured. Accumulation of Hg(2+) in the placenta was rapid and dose-dependent. Very little Hg(2+) was eliminated during the initial 48 h after exposure. When dams were exposed to the low dose of HgCl2, fetal accumulation of Hg(2+) increased between 6h and 48 h, while at the higher dose, accumulation was similar at each time point. Within fetal organs, the greatest concentration of Hg(2+) (nmol/g) was localized in the kidneys, followed by the liver and brain. A dose-dependent increase in the accumulation of Hg(2+) in fetal organs was observed, suggesting that continued maternal exposure may lead to increased fetal exposure. Taken together, these data indicate that Hg(2+) is capable of crossing the placenta and gaining access to fetal organs in a dose-dependent manner.
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Body burden of Hg in different bio-samples of mothers in Shenyang city, China. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98121. [PMID: 24858815 PMCID: PMC4032259 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hg is an accumulative and neuro-toxic heavy metal which has a wide range of adverse effects in human health. However, few studies are available on body burden of Hg level in different bio-samples of pregnant women in Chinese population. Therefore, this study evaluated Hg levels in different maternal bio-samples in Shenyang city, China and investigated the correlation of Hg levels in different bio-samples. From October to December 2008, 200 pregnant women about to deliver their babies at ShengJing Hospital (Shenyang city, northeast of China) participated in this study. The geometric mean (GM) of Hg levels in cord blood, maternal venous blood, breast milk, and maternal urine were 2.18 µg/L, 1.17 µg/L, 1.14 µg/L, and 0.73 µg/L, respectively, and the GM of maternal hair Hg level was 404.45 µg/kg. There was a strong correlation between cord blood and maternal blood total Hg level (r = 0.713, P<0.001). Frequency of fish consumption more than or equal to 3 times per week during pregnancy was suggested as a significant risk factor of prenatal Hg exposure (unadjusted OR 3.5, adjusted OR 2.94, P<0.05). This study provides evidence about Hg burden of mothers and the risk factors of prenatal Hg exposure in Shenyang city, China.
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Al-Saleh I, Al-Rouqi R, Obsum CA, Shinwari N, Mashhour A, Billedo G, Al-Sarraj Y, Rabbah A. Mercury (Hg) and oxidative stress status in healthy mothers and its effect on birth anthropometric measures. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2014; 217:567-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Revised: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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26
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Rice KM, Walker EM, Wu M, Gillette C, Blough ER. Environmental mercury and its toxic effects. J Prev Med Public Health 2014; 47:74-83. [PMID: 24744824 PMCID: PMC3988285 DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.2014.47.2.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 515] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury exists naturally and as a man-made contaminant. The release of processed mercury can lead to a progressive increase in the amount of atmospheric mercury, which enters the atmospheric-soil-water distribution cycles where it can remain in circulation for years. Mercury poisoning is the result of exposure to mercury or mercury compounds resulting in various toxic effects depend on its chemical form and route of exposure. The major route of human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) is largely through eating contaminated fish, seafood, and wildlife which have been exposed to mercury through ingestion of contaminated lower organisms. MeHg toxicity is associated with nervous system damage in adults and impaired neurological development in infants and children. Ingested mercury may undergo bioaccumulation leading to progressive increases in body burdens. This review addresses the systemic pathophysiology of individual organ systems associated with mercury poisoning. Mercury has profound cellular, cardiovascular, hematological, pulmonary, renal, immunological, neurological, endocrine, reproductive, and embryonic toxicological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Rice
- Center for Diagnostic Nanosystems, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
| | - Ernest M Walker
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Toxicology, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
| | - Miaozong Wu
- Center for Diagnostic Nanosystems, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
| | - Chris Gillette
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Administration, and Research, School of Pharmacy, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
| | - Eric R Blough
- Center for Diagnostic Nanosystems, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA. ; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Toxicology, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA. ; Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, School of Pharmacy, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
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Sakamoto M, Yasutake A, Domingo JL, Chan HM, Kubota M, Murata K. Relationships between trace element concentrations in chorionic tissue of placenta and umbilical cord tissue: potential use as indicators for prenatal exposure. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2013; 60:106-11. [PMID: 24028800 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Revised: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/11/2013] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The role of the placenta was assessed by comparing the profiles of methylmercury (MeHg), inorganic mercury (I-Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in freeze-dried chorionic tissue of the placenta and umbilical cord tissue. The significance of the placenta and cord tissue as predictors of prenatal exposure to these trace elements in pregnant women and newborns was also examined by comparing the element profiles among placenta and cord tissue, and maternal and cord blood red blood cells (RBCs). The samples were collected from 48 mother-child pairs at birth in the general population of Japanese. The concentrations of all elements, except for MeHg, were significantly higher in placenta than in cord tissue. In particular, the Cd showed the highest placenta vs. cord tissue ratio (59:1), followed by I-Hg (2.4:1), indicating that the placental barrier works most strongly against Cd among the examined toxic elements. Contrary to the other elements, the MeHg concentration in cord tissue was significantly higher (1.6 times) than that in placenta, indicating its exceptionally high placental transfer. The MeHg in placenta showed significant correlations with total mercury (T-Hg) in maternal and cord RBCs (rs=0.80 and 0.91, respectively). The MeHg in cord tissue also showed significant correlations with T-Hg in maternal and cord RBCs (rs=0.75 and 0.85, respectively). Therefore, both placenta and cord tissue are useful for predicting maternal and fetal exposure to MeHg. The Se concentration in placenta showed significant but moderate correlations with that in maternal and cord RBCs (rs=0.38 and 0.57, respectively). The Pb, Zn, and Cu concentrations in placenta and cord tissue showed no significant correlations with those in maternal and cord RBCs. As an exception, the Cd concentration in placenta showed a moderate but significant correlation (rs=0.41) with that in maternal RBCs, suggesting that the placenta is useful for predicting maternal exposure to Cd during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mineshi Sakamoto
- Department of Environmental Science and Epidemiology, National Institute for Minamata Disease, Minamata, Japan.
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Yoshida M, Watanabe C, Honda A, Satoh M, Yasutake A. Emergence of delayed behavioral effects in offspring mice exposed to low levels of mercury vapor during the lactation period. J Toxicol Sci 2013; 38:1-6. [PMID: 23358134 DOI: 10.2131/jts.38.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the emergence of delayed behavioral effects in offspring mice exposed to low levels of mercury vapor (Hg(0)) during the lactation period. Female offspring of mice were repeatedly exposed to Hg(0) at 0.057 mg/m(3), similar to the current threshold value (TLV), for 24 hr until the 20(th) day postpartum. The behavioral effects were evaluated with locomotor activity in the open field (OPF), learning activity in the passive avoidance response (PA) and spatial learning ability in the Morris water maze (MM) at the ages of 3 and 15 months. Hg(0)-exposed mice did not differ from controls in the three behavioral measurements at 3 months of age, and no neurobehavioral effects were observed. On the other hand, the mice exhibited significantly more central locomotion in the OPF task when tested at 15 months of age, but no abnormality in other behavioral performance. Immediately after postnatal exposure, the brain mercury concentration of offspring was about 150 times that of the control, in which the concentrations were approximately 0.4 µg/g. The results indicate that mice exposed to Hg(0) at concentrations around TLV during the developing period resulted in the emergence of delayed behavioral effects at a later stage in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Yoshida
- Faculty of Human Health Sciences, Hachinohe University, Hachinohe, Japan.
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29
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Al-Saleh I, Shinwari N, Mashhour A, Rabah A. Birth outcome measures and maternal exposure to heavy metals (lead, cadmium and mercury) in Saudi Arabian population. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2013; 217:205-18. [PMID: 23735463 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 03/30/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the association between exposure to heavy metals (lead, cadmium and mercury) during pregnancy and birth outcomes in 1578 women aged 16-50 years who delivered in Al-Kharj hospital, Saudi Arabia, in 2005 and 2006. The levels of lead, cadmium and mercury were measured in umbilical cord blood, maternal blood and the placenta. Outcome variables were anthropometric measures taken at birth, along with the risk of being small-for-gestational age (SGA). We selected the 10th percentile as the cutoff for dichotomizing measures of birth outcome. Cadmium, despite its partial passage through the placenta had the most prominent effect on several measures of birth outcome. After adjustment for potential confounders, logistic regression models revealed that crown-heel length (p=0.034), the Apgar 5-minute score (p=0.004), birth weight (p=0.015) and SGA (p=0.049) were influenced by cadmium in the umbilical cord blood. Significant decreases in crown-heel length (p=0.007) and placental thickness (p=0.022) were seen with higher levels of cadmium in maternal blood. As placental cadmium increased, cord length increased (p=0.012) and placental thickness decreased (p=0.032). Only lead levels in maternal blood influenced placental thickness (p=0.011). Mercury in both umbilical cord and maternal blood was marginally associated with placental thickness and placental weight, respectively. Conversely, placental mercury levels significantly influenced head circumference (p=0.017), the Apgar 5-minute score (p=0.01) and cord length (p=0.026). The predictions of these models were further assessed with the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating curves (ROCs), which were modest (larger than 0.5 and smaller than 0.7). The independence of gestational age or preterm births on the observed effect of metals on some measures of birth outcome, suggested detrimental effects of exposure on fetal development. The magnitude of the estimated effects might not necessarily be of clinical significance for infants but may have a considerable public-health relevance given the high prevalence of exposure to heavy metals. Further research should be conducted to confirm these findings and to evaluate their long-term risks, if any.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Al-Saleh
- Environmental Health Section, Biological & Medical Research Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, PO Box 3354, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Neptune Shinwari
- Environmental Health Section, Biological & Medical Research Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, PO Box 3354, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Mashhour
- Environmental Health Section, Biological & Medical Research Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, PO Box 3354, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Rabah
- Department of Pediatrics, King Khalid Hospital-Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
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30
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Kim H, Kim KN, Hwang JY, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong YC, Chang N. Relation between serum folate status and blood mercury concentrations in pregnant women. Nutrition 2013; 29:514-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2012.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2012] [Revised: 08/26/2012] [Accepted: 08/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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31
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The role of the placenta in fetal exposure to heavy metals. Wien Med Wochenschr 2012; 162:201-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s10354-012-0074-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Accepted: 02/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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32
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Pandalai SL, Morgan BW. Case files of the Emory University Medical Toxicology Fellowship: inhalational mercury toxicity from a traditional Vietnamese product. J Med Toxicol 2012; 7:295-305. [PMID: 22072090 DOI: 10.1007/s13181-011-0180-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
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Yoshida M, Suzuki M, Satoh M, Yasutake A, Watanabe C. Neurobehavioral effects of combined prenatal exposure to low-level mercury vapor and methylmercury. J Toxicol Sci 2011; 36:73-80. [PMID: 21297343 DOI: 10.2131/jts.36.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the effects of prenatal exposure to low-level mercury (Hg(0)) or methylmercury (MeHg) as well as combined exposure (Hg(0) + MeHg exposure) on the neurobehavioral function of mice. The Hg(0) exposure group was exposed to Hg(0) at a mean concentration of 0.030 mg/m(3) for 6 hr/day during gestation period. The MeHg exposure was supplied with food containing 5 ppm of MeHg from gestational day 1 to postnatal day 10. The combined exposure group was exposed to both Hg(0) vapor and MeHg according to above described procedure. After delivery, when their offspring reached the age of 8 weeks, behavioral analysis was performed. Open field (OPF) tests of the offspring showed an increase and decrease in voluntary activity in male and female mice, respectively, in the MeHg exposure group. In addition, the rate of central entries was significantly higher in this group than in the control group. The results of OPF tests in the Hg(0) + MeHg exposure group were similar to those in the MeHg exposure group in both males and females. The results in the Hg(0) exposure group did not significantly differ from those in the control group in males or females. Passive avoidance response (PA) tests revealed no significant differences in avoidance latency in the retention trial between the Hg(0), MeHg, or Hg(0) + MeHg exposure group and the control group in males or females. Morris water maze tests showed a delay in the latency to reach the platform in the MeHg and Hg(0) + MeHg exposure groups compared with the control group in males but no significant differences between the Hg(0), MeHg, or Hg(0) + MeHg exposure group and the control group in females. The results of OPF tests revealed only slight effects of prenatal low-level Hg(0) exposure (0.03 mg/m(3)), close to the no-observable-effect level (NOEL) stated by the WHO (0.025 mg/m(3)), on the subsequent neurobehavioral function. However, prenatal exposure to 5 ppm of MeHg affected exploratory activity in the OPF test, and, in particular, male mice were highly sensitive to MeHg. The MeHg and Hg(0) + MeHg exposure groups showed similar neurobehavioral effects. Concerning the effects of prenatal mercury exposure under the conditions of this study, the effects of MeHg exposure may be more marked than those of Hg(0) exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Yoshida
- Faculty of Human Health Sciences, Hachinohe University, Hachinoheshi, Aomori, Japan.
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34
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Nyland JF, Wang SB, Shirley DL, Santos EO, Ventura AM, de Souza JM, Silbergeld EK. Fetal and maternal immune responses to methylmercury exposure: a cross-sectional study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2011; 111:584-9. [PMID: 21396635 PMCID: PMC3081921 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2011.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2010] [Revised: 02/16/2011] [Accepted: 02/17/2011] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant with known neurodevelopmental effects. In humans, prenatal exposures primarily occur through maternal consumption of contaminated fish. In this study, we evaluated the association between prenatal exposure to MeHg and titers of total immunoglobulins (Ig) and specific autoantibodies in both mothers and fetuses by analyzing maternal and cord blood serum samples. We examined multiple immunoglobulin isotypes to determine if these biomarkers could inform as to fetal or maternal responses since IgG but not IgM can cross the placenta. Finally, we evaluated serum cytokine levels to further characterize the immune response to mercury exposure. The study was conducted using a subset of serum samples (N=61 pairs) collected from individuals enrolled in a population surveillance of MeHg exposures in the Brazilian Amazon during 2000/2001. Serum titers of antinuclear and antinucleolar autoantibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence. Serum immunoglobulins were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and BioPlex multiplex assay. Serum cytokines were measured by BioPlex multiplex assay. In this population, the geometric mean mercury level was within the 95th percentile for US populations of women of childbearing age but the upper level of the range was significantly higher. Fetal blood mercury levels were higher (1.35 times) than those in their mothers, but highly correlated (correlation coefficient [r]=0.71; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.89). Total IgG (r=0.40; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.62) and antinuclear autoantibody (odds ratio [OR]=1.05; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.08) levels in paired maternal and fetal samples were also associated; in contrast, other immunoglobulin (IgM, IgE, and IgA) levels were not associated between pairs. Total IgG levels were significantly correlated with both maternal (r=0.60; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.96) and cord blood mercury levels (r=0.61; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.97), but individual isotypes were not. Serum cytokines, interleukin-1β (r=0.37; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.73), interleukin-6 (r=0.34; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.65), and tumor necrosis factor-α (r=0.24; 95% CI: 0.015, 0.47), were positively correlated between maternal and fetal samples. Antinuclear and antinucleolar autoantibody titer and serum cytokine levels, in either maternal or cord blood, were not significantly associated with either maternal or cord blood mercury levels. These data provide further evidence that there are likely IgG biomarkers of mercury-induced immunotoxicity in this population since IgG levels were elevated with increased, and associated with, mercury exposure. However, unlike previous data from adult males and non-pregnant females, we found no evidence that antinuclear and antinucleolar autoantibody titer is a reliable biomarker of mercury immunotoxicity in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer F Nyland
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205 USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 6439 Garner’s Ferry Road, Columbia, SC, 29209 USA
- Corresponding author/current address: University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 6439 Garner’s Ferry Road, Building 1, Room B10, Columbia, SC 29209 USA, 1- (803) 216-3416 – phone, 1- (803) 733-1515 – fax,
| | - Susie B Wang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205 USA
| | - Devon L Shirley
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 6439 Garner’s Ferry Road, Columbia, SC, 29209 USA
| | - Elisabeth O Santos
- Institue Evandro Chagas, Fundaçao Nacional da Saúde, Belem do Pará-66090, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Ventura
- Institue Evandro Chagas, Fundaçao Nacional da Saúde, Belem do Pará-66090, Brazil
| | - Jose M de Souza
- Institue Evandro Chagas, Fundaçao Nacional da Saúde, Belem do Pará-66090, Brazil
| | - Ellen K Silbergeld
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205 USA
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Al-Saleh I, Shinwari N, Mashhour A, Mohamed GED, Rabah A. Heavy metals (lead, cadmium and mercury) in maternal, cord blood and placenta of healthy women. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2010; 214:79-101. [PMID: 21093366 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2010.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2010] [Revised: 10/05/2010] [Accepted: 10/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Lead, cadmium and mercury were measured in placental tissue, umbilical cord and maternal blood samples of 1578 women who delivered at the Al-Kharj King Khalid Hospital between 2005 and 2006. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of heavy metal exposure in mothers and their newborns and to identify predictors of maternal exposure. Lead was detected in all cord and maternal blood and in 96% of placental tissues. Only in 0.89% and 0.83% of cord and maternal blood samples were the levels of lead above the CDC threshold limit of 10 μg/dl. Maternal blood lead was also higher (2.3%) than the German Reference value in women of 7 μg/dl. Approximately 9.3% of women had a placental lead above the 95th percentile in the range of 0.83-78 μg/g dry wt., a level of possible developmental toxicity. Cadmium was detected in 94.8% and 97.9% of cord and maternal blood samples respectively, though only five newborns had a cadmium level above the OSHA threshold limit of 5 μg/l. Comparing our results to the newly revised German Reference value for nonsmokers, 48.6% of mothers had blood cadmium levels >1.0 μg/l. We found as well that 25% of women had placental cadmium in the >75th percentile, in the range of 0.048-4.36 μg/g dry wt., which is likely to affect fetal growth and development. Of the maternal and cord blood samples, 11.2% and 13%, respectively, had mercury levels >5.8 μg/l, which is the EPA reference dose. Nearly 49% of women had mercury levels >2.0 μg/l, the German Reference value for those who consume fish ≤3 times a month. Around 50% of the mothers had placental mercury in the range of 0.031-13.0 μg/g dry wt. Regression analyses indicated that the levels of metals in the blood and placenta were influenced by several factors. This study provides informative baseline biomonitoring data and reveals a substantial exposure to heavy metals in non-occupationally exposed Saudi mothers and their newborns that might jeopardize the health of both. Additional research is also urgently needed to explore factors such as environment, diet, lifestyle and/or cultural habits contributing to maternal and fetal exposures. Preventive measures to eliminate or minimize the unnecessary risk of fetus exposure to heavy metals or other pollutants during pregnancy should be initiated once these factors are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Al-Saleh
- Biological & Medical Research Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, PO Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.
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36
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Ishitobi H, Stern S, Thurston SW, Zareba G, Langdon M, Gelein R, Weiss B. Organic and inorganic mercury in neonatal rat brain after prenatal exposure to methylmercury and mercury vapor. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2010; 118:242-8. [PMID: 20123608 PMCID: PMC2831924 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.0900956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2009] [Accepted: 09/29/2009] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many populations are exposed to multiple species of mercury (Hg), predominantly organic Hg as methylmercury (MeHg) from fish, and inorganic Hg as Hg vapor from dental amalgams. Most of our knowledge of the neurotoxicity of Hg is based on research devoted to studying only one form at a time, mostly MeHg. OBJECTIVES In this study we investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to MeHg and Hg vapor on Hg concentrations in the brain of neonatal rats. METHODS Female Long-Evans hooded rats were exposed to MeHg (0, 3, 6, or 9 ppm as drinking solution), Hg vapor (0, 300, or 1,000 microg/m3 for 2 hr/day), or the combination of both, from 30 days before breeding through gestational day 18. On postnatal day 4, whole brains were taken from one male and one female from each of four litters in each treatment group to assess organic and inorganic Hg in the brain by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS Statistical analysis using linear mixed effects models showed that MeHg dose was the primary determinant of both organic and inorganic brain Hg levels. For both outcomes, we also found significant interactions between MeHg and Hg vapor exposure. These interactions were driven by the fact that among animals not exposed to MeHg, animals exposed to Hg vapor had significantly greater organic and inorganic brain Hg levels than did unexposed animals. CONCLUSION This interaction, heretofore not reported, suggests that coexposure to MeHg and Hg vapor at levels relevant to human exposure might elevate neurotoxic risks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sally W. Thurston
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - Bernard Weiss
- Department of Environmental Medicine and
- Address correspondence to B. Weiss, Department of Environmental Medicine, Box EHSC, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642 USA. Telephone: (585) 275-1736. Fax: (585) 256-2591. E-mail:
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37
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Al-Saleh I, Shinwari N, Al-Amodi M. Accumulation of mercury in ovaries of mice after the application of skin-lightening creams. Biol Trace Elem Res 2009; 131:43-54. [PMID: 19224137 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-009-8341-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2008] [Accepted: 02/04/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Skin-lightening creams are being increasingly used by women in particular, worldwide in an attempt to whiten their skin. Men and older people use these creams to remove age spots or other pigmentation disorders. Several studies have reported the presence of high mercury levels in skin-lightening cream. Women, especially pregnant and nursing mothers, who use these creams are at risk of mercury toxicity because long-term exposure can cause permanent neurological damage, nephrological disorders, fertility problems, and birth defects. Early exposure usually has no clinical symptoms. Mercury levels were measured in a total of 49 ovary tissue samples. The mean mercury contents in the ovaries of non-treated mice (11.70 +/- 13.38 ng/g) were compared to mice treated with Rose skin-lightening cream samples (2,471.92 +/- 1,336.31 ng/g) and those treated with Fair & Lovely skin-lightening creams (58.47 +/- 39.51 ng/g). The mercury content in the ovary tissues increased with number of cream applications and were highest in the ovaries of mice treated twice a day with Fair & Lovely (87.79 +/- 26.20 ng/g) and once a day with Rose (3,515.61 +/- 1,099.78 ng/g). Our data indicate that dermal exposure to mercury can result in a significant accumulation in the ovaries of mice following the application of skin-lightening cream. This may cause alterations in reproductive behavior and contribute to infertility or ovarian failure. Of course, these results need to be confirmed by further research. Imported or locally made skin-lightening creams are widely available in Saudi market. It would be ideal to ban the sale of these creams but unfortunately, advertisements in the mass media presenting celebrities and beauty specialists make these products more popular. Alternatively, public health authorities should encourage more reliance on prescribed creams for the treatment of skin pigmentation problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Al-Saleh
- Biological and Medical Research Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Rudge CV, Röllin HB, Nogueira CM, Thomassen Y, Rudge MC, Odland JØ. The placenta as a barrier for toxic and essential elements in paired maternal and cord blood samples of South African delivering women. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 11:1322-30. [PMID: 20449220 DOI: 10.1039/b903805a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Environmental toxicants such as metals may be detrimental to foetus and infant development and health because of their physiological immaturity, opportunistic and differential exposures, and a longer lifetime over which disease, initiated during pregnancy and in early life, can develop. The placental mechanisms responsible for regulation of absorption and excretion of elements during pregnancy are not fully understood. The aim of this paper is to assess the correlation for selected toxic and essential elements in paired whole blood samples of delivering women and cord blood, as well as to evaluate the placental permeability for selected elements. Regression analyses used to assess this correlation in 62-paired samples of maternal and cord whole blood of delivering women show that the concentrations of mercury, lead, cobalt, arsenic and selenium in maternal and cord blood differed statistically. Lead, cobalt, arsenic and selenium appear to pass the placental barrier by a diffusion mechanism. It was also found that the mercury levels in cord blood were almost double those of the mother, suggesting that the foetus may act as a filter for the maternal mercury levels during pregnancy. Transplacental transfer for arsenic and cobalt was 80% and 45%, respectively, suggesting that the placenta modulates the rate of transfer for these elements. Cadmium, manganese, copper and zinc levels did not show statistically significant correlations between two compartments (maternal versus cord whole blood). The study confirms that most of the toxic metals measured have an ability to cross the placental barrier.
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Richardson GM, Brecher RW, Scobie H, Hamblen J, Samuelian J, Smith C. Mercury vapour (Hg0): Continuing toxicological uncertainties, and establishing a Canadian reference exposure level. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2009; 53:32-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2008.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2008] [Revised: 10/07/2008] [Accepted: 10/16/2008] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Daniels JL, Rowland AS, Longnecker MP, Crawford P, Golding J. Maternal dental history, child's birth outcome and early cognitive development. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2007; 21:448-57. [PMID: 17697075 PMCID: PMC3659800 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2007.00819.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to high levels of mercury, radiation and inflammation have been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes such as increases in preterm delivery, low birthweight and delayed neurodevelopment. Few data are available to evaluate the potential effects of prenatal low-level exposure to these factors as may occur during dental care. We evaluated maternal dental history prior to and during pregnancy in relation to birth outcomes and early communicative development among offspring in a large cohort (n = 7375) of British children born in 1991-92. Dental history was assessed by questionnaire. The child's communicative development was assessed using the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory at 15 months of age. Total mercury was measured in umbilical cord tissue for a subset of the children. Overall, dental care, including amalgam fillings, was not associated with birth outcomes or language development. Having X-rays taken during pregnancy was not associated with birthweight measured continuously (b = 14.7, P = 0.4), but was associated with slightly increased odds of having a term, low-birthweight baby (OR 1.9, [95% confidence interval 1.0, 3.4]). More detailed evaluation of the potential adverse effects of elective dental treatment during pregnancy, particularly dental X-rays, may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie L Daniels
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Jones L, Bunnell J, Stillman J. A 30-year follow-up of residual effects on New Zealand School Dental Nurses, from occupational mercury exposure. Hum Exp Toxicol 2007; 26:367-74. [PMID: 17615119 DOI: 10.1177/0960327107076824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This paper reports possible residual adverse effects from occupational mercury exposure in dentistry, Thirty years ago, the all-women exposed group worked with both silver and copper amalgam filling material without protective gloves or a ventilation system, resulting in chronic mercury exposure. The aim of the study was to test the null hypothesis in a survey of general and reproductive health, and a battery of nine neurobehavioral tests. The population was the 115 graduates of one school for dental nurses from 1968 to 1971. The sample was 43 mercury-exposed women and 32 matched controls. Statistical comparisons revealed that the two groups were equivalent on cognitive tasks and four of the six mood subscales. Significant between-group differences were found in current health symptom experience and reproductive health, especially early hysterectomy experience. Reporting of Occupational Overuse Syndrome was strongly positively correlated with years of work. In general, the study suggests that acute symptoms from mercury exposure may be reversible, while some residual health effects may be becoming more of a concern with the women's increasing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Jones
- School of Psychology, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
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Al-Saleh I, El-Doush I, Shinwari N, Al-Baradei R, Khogali F, Al-Amodi M. Does low mercury containing skin-lightening cream (fair & lovely) affect the kidney, liver, and brain of female mice? Cutan Ocul Toxicol 2007; 24:11-29. [PMID: 17040886 DOI: 10.1081/cus-200046179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Fair & Lovely is an over-the-counter skin-lightening cream sold widely in Saudi markets. Its mercury content is 0.304+/-0.316 microg/g, in the range of 0.102 to 0.775 microg/g. This study was designed to evaluate its toxic effects on mice. The cream was applied on mice for a period of 1 month at different intervals. Mercury levels were measured in the liver, kidney, and brain tissue samples of a total of 75 adult female CD1 mice by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer coupled to a Vapor Generator Accessory. The mean mercury concentrations in the tissues of the treated mice were 0.193+/-0.319 microg/g; whereas for the control group, it was 0.041 microg/g+/-0.041microg/g. While the kidney was found to have the highest mercury content, the brain was found to have the lowest content. Treated mice showed a significant reduction in body weight. Marked histological changes were clearly noted in the kidney and, to a lesser extent, in the brain and liver. These results indicate that although Fair & Lovely mercury content is less than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permissible limits histopathological changes in the brain, kidney, and liver tissues are evidence of its possible toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Al-Saleh
- Biological & Medical Research Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Gagnon ZE, Patel A. Induction of metallothionein in chick embryos as a mechanism of tolerance to platinum group metal exposure. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2007; 42:381-7. [PMID: 17365305 DOI: 10.1080/10934520601144691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Recent data show that platinum group metals (PGMs), primarily platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rd), from automobile catalytic converters are being deposited in the environment. We investigated the PGM neurotoxicity and tolerance mechanism by induction of metallothionein (MT) in developing chick embryos. Chick embryos were injected on the 7th and 14th days of incubation with different concentrations of Pt and mixture of Pt, Pd and Rh (PGM mix) solutions. It is documented that induction of MT by zinc (Zn+2) protects against metal and non-metal hepatotoxicity. In this study the MT induction was examined through pretreatment of the two highest Pt(IV) exposure levels with exogenous Zn2+ on the 4th and 11th days of incubation. SDS-PAGE assay and digital image system were used to identify and quantify MT in homogenized brain and liver tissues. Quantitative analysis revealed an increase of MT in the 5 ppm Pt exposure as compared to controls. The 10 ppm Pt treatment was a lethal dose for exposed embryos. There was increased mortality at the 1.0 PGM mix level. The interaction of Pt, Pd and Rh in the mixture seems to favor metal accumulation and MT induction in the liver but not the brain. Pretreatment with exogenous Zn2+ increased chick survival. These results indicate that induction of MT plays a protective role against PGM toxicity. Metal analysis using atomic absorption spectrometer in graphite furnace mode (GFAAS) revealed PGM accumulation in chick embryo liver and brain tissues proportional to exposure concentration. Our results may imply that MT has an important role as a tolerance mechanism against PGM toxicity. The presence of Pt(IV) in brain tissue suggests that the undeveloped blood-brain barrier is permeable to PGMs. This raises concerns regarding the implication of these metals on neural injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zofia E Gagnon
- School of Science, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, USA.
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Franco JL, Braga HDC, Nunes AKC, Ribas CM, Stringari J, Silva AP, Garcia Pomblum SC, Moro AM, Bohrer D, Santos ARS, Dafre AL, Farina M. Lactational exposure to inorganic mercury: evidence of neurotoxic effects. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2006; 29:360-7. [PMID: 17222531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2006.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2006] [Revised: 11/23/2006] [Accepted: 11/24/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the effects of inorganic mercury (mercuric chloride - HgCl2) exposure exclusively through maternal milk on biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress (glutathione and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities) in the cerebellum of weanling mice. These parameters were also evaluated in the cerebellum of mothers, which were subjected to intraperitoneal injections of HgCl2 (0, 0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg, once a day) during the lactational period. Considering the relationship between cerebellar function and motor activity, the presence of motor impairment was also evaluated in the offspring exposed to HgCl2 during lactation. After treatments (at weaning), pups lactationally exposed to inorganic mercury showed high levels of mercury in the cerebellar tissue, as well as significant impairment in motor performance in the rotarod task and decreased locomotor activity in the open field. Offspring and dams did not show changes in cerebellar glutathione levels or glutathione peroxidase activity. In pups, lactational exposure to inorganic mercury significantly increased cerebellar lipoperoxidation, as well as the activity of cerebellar glutathione reductase. However, these phenomena were not observed in dams. These results indicate that inorganic mercury exposure through maternal milk is capable of inducing biochemical changes in the cerebellum of weanling mice, as well as motor deficit and these phenomena appear to be related to the pro-oxidative properties of inorganic mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeferson L Franco
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
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