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Gosnell O, McHugh B, Minto C, McGovern E, Rogan E, Caurant F, Pierce GJ, Das K, O'Donovan J, Emerit A, Murphy S. Trace element concentrations in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the Celtic Seas ecoregion: Interelement relationships and effects of life history and health status. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 190:108826. [PMID: 38925005 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Given the increased extraction of trace elements for use by new and emerging technologies, monitoring the environmental fate and potential effects of these compounds within the aquatic environment has never been more critical. Here, hepatic trace element concentrations were assessed in a key sentinel predator, the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), using a long-term dataset. Variation in concentrations were assessed in relation to other elements, time period, decomposition state, sex, age, total body length, sexual maturity and nutritional status, and cause of death. Additionally, mercury toxicity thresholds for evaluating risk were reviewed and employed. Concentrations of elements which bioaccumulate, THg, MeHg, Cd, and Pb, in addition to Se and V, were strongly correlated with age, and/or body length. An association was observed between Zn concentrations and disease status, with significantly higher concentrations measured in individuals that died from infectious disease, compared to other causes. Strong inter-elemental relationships were detected, namely between Hg and Se, MeHg and Se, Cd and Se, and Cu and Zn. While THg:Se molar ratio values were observed to increase with age and body length, approaching equimolarity. THg was largely comprised of inorganic Hg in older individuals, potentially bound to Se, therefore the effects from THg toxicity may possibly be less important than originally assumed. In contrast, higher MeHg:Hg ratio values were reported in juveniles, suggesting a poorer efficiency in demethylation and a higher sensitivity. The generation of data on proportions of hepatic MeHg and inorganic Hg is highly informative to both future toxicity threshold assessments within pollutant indicator assessments, and to understanding the ultimate fate of mercury in the marine web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orla Gosnell
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technical University, ATU Galway City, Ireland
| | - Brendan McHugh
- Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Cóilín Minto
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technical University, ATU Galway City, Ireland
| | - Evin McGovern
- Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Emer Rogan
- Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, University College, Cork, Ireland
| | - Florence Caurant
- Observatoire Pelagis UAR 3462 La Rochelle Université - CNRS, 5 allées de l'Océan 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Graham J Pierce
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC), Eduardo Cabello 6 36208, Vigo, Spain
| | - Krishna Das
- Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of Research (FOCUS), Laboratory of Biological Oceanography, University of LIEGE, Allée du 6 Août B6C 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jim O'Donovan
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Cork, Ireland
| | - Aylis Emerit
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technical University, ATU Galway City, Ireland
| | - Sinéad Murphy
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technical University, ATU Galway City, Ireland.
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Premranjith P, King W, Ashley-Martin J, Borghese MM, Bouchard M, Foster W, Arbuckle TE, Velez MP. Maternal exposure to metals and time-to-pregnancy: The MIREC cohort study. BJOG 2024; 131:589-597. [PMID: 38239019 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the association between maternal exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese and mercury, time-to-pregnancy (TTP) and infertility. DESIGN Pregnancy-based retrospective TTP cohort study. SETTING Hospitals and clinics from ten cities across Canada. POPULATION A total of 1784 pregnant women. METHODS Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese and mercury were measured in maternal whole blood during the first trimester of pregnancy as a proxy of preconception exposure. Discrete-time Cox proportional hazards models generated fecundability odds ratios (FOR) for the association between metals and TTP. Logistic regression generated odds ratios (OR) for the association between metals and infertility. Models were adjusted for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, education, income, recruitment site and plasma lipids. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES TTP was self-reported as the number of months of unprotected intercourse to become pregnant. Infertility was defined as TTP longer than 12 months. RESULTS A total of 1784 women were eligible for the analysis. Mean ± SD maternal age and gestational age at interview were 32.2 ± 5.0 years, and 11.6 ± 1.6 weeks, respectively. Exposure to arsenic, cadmium, manganese or mercury was not associated with TTP or infertility. Increments of one standard deviation of lead concentrations resulted in a shorter TTP (adjusted FOR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.16); however, the association was not linear when exposure was modelled in tertiles. CONCLUSION Blood concentrations of metals at typical levels of exposure among Canadian pregnant women were not associated with TTP or infertility. Further studies are needed to assess the role of lead, if any, on TTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Premranjith
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Will King
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jillian Ashley-Martin
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael M Borghese
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maryse Bouchard
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Warren Foster
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tye E Arbuckle
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria P Velez
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Baek K, Park C, Sakong J. Increase of blood mercury level with shark meat consumption: A repeated-measures study before and after Chuseok, Korean holiday. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 344:140317. [PMID: 37775060 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140317] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Sharks are known to contain high levels of mercury in their meat. However, few studies have directly assessed the changes in mercury concentration in the human body according to shark meat intake. One hundred and ninety-seven participants that traditionally consume shark meat during the Chuseok holiday were recruited from two areas of Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea to examine their blood mercury level before and after the holiday season. Blood mercury levels were measured before and after the holiday season. Characteristics such as the consumption of shark meat, intake amount, and the effect on mercury concentration were assessed during the survey. Univariable and multivariable analysis (Linear Mixed Model) were done for assessing the association between shark meat consumption of holiday season and blood mercury level. Among the total participants, 83 consumed shark meat during holiday. In the univariable analysis, a significant increase in blood mercury levels before and after Chuseok was observed only for the group that consumed shark meat during holiday. The multivariable analysis (adjusted for identified confounders that affect both exposure and outcome considering repeated measurements) showed that consuming shark meat was significantly associated with increased blood mercury levels by 3.56 μg/L (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.64-4.67 μg/L). In the model considering the amount consumed as two group, the level of increase was 2.61 μg/L (95% CI, 1.63-3.58 μg/L) for those consuming <100 g, and 6.20 μg/L (95% CI, 4.77-7.62 μg/L) for those consuming ≥100 g compared to group without consuming shark meat. Considering amount consumed as continuous value, 0.02 μg/L (95% CI, 0.01-0.02 μg/L) of blood mercury increase was significantly associated with consuming 1 g. Consumption of shark meat significantly elevated blood mercury levels, exceeding commonly suggested reference concentrations in less than 2 weeks. These findings suggest the need for public health warnings and regulations regarding shark meat consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiook Baek
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea; Department of Medicine, Graduate School of Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Chulyong Park
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Joon Sakong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, South Korea.
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Dack K, Bustamante M, Taylor CM, Llop S, Lozano M, Yousefi P, Gražulevičienė R, Gutzkow KB, Brantsæter AL, Mason D, Escaramís G, Lewis SJ. Genome-Wide Association Study of Blood Mercury in European Pregnant Women and Children. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2123. [PMID: 38136945 PMCID: PMC10742428 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury has high industrial utility and is present in many products, and environmental contamination and occupational exposure are widespread. There are numerous biological systems involved in the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of Hg, and it is possible that some systems may be impacted by genetic variation. If so, genotype may affect tissue concentrations of Hg and subsequent toxic effects. Genome-wide association testing was performed on blood Hg samples from pregnant women of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (n = 2893) and children of the Human Early Life Exposome (n = 1042). Directly-genotyped single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were imputed to the Haplotype Reference Consortium r1.1 panel of whole genotypes and modelled againstlog-transformed Hg. Heritability was estimated using linkage disequilibrium score regression. The heritability of Hg was estimated as 24.0% (95% CI: 16.9% to 46.4%) in pregnant women, but could not be determined in children. There were 16 SNPs associated with Hg in pregnant women above a suggestive p-value threshold (p < 1 × 10-5), and 21 for children. However, no SNP passed this threshold in both studies, and none were genome-wide significant (p < 5 × 10-8). SNP-Hg associations were highly discordant between women and children, and this may reflect differences in metabolism, a gene-age interaction, or dose-response effects. Several suggestive variants had plausible links to Hg metabolism, such as rs146099921 in metal transporter SLC39A14, and two variants (rs28618224, rs7154700) in potassium voltage-gated channel genes. The findings would benefit from external validation, as suggestive results may contain both true associations and false positives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Dack
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK; (K.D.)
| | - Mariona Bustamante
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08018 Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain (G.E.)
| | - Caroline M. Taylor
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK;
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain (G.E.)
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO- Universitat Jaume I - Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Lozano
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO- Universitat Jaume I - Universitat de València, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Preventative Medicine, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Paul Yousefi
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK; (K.D.)
| | - Regina Gražulevičienė
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, 53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Kristine Bjerve Gutzkow
- Department of Air Quality and Noise, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 222 Skoyen, NO-0213 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Anne Lise Brantsæter
- Department of Food Safety, Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 222 Skoyen, NO-0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Dan Mason
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Duckworth Lane, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - Georgia Escaramís
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain (G.E.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sarah J. Lewis
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK; (K.D.)
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK
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Martinez-Morata I, Sobel M, Tellez-Plaza M, Navas-Acien A, Howe CG, Sanchez TR. A State-of-the-Science Review on Metal Biomarkers. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:215-249. [PMID: 37337116 PMCID: PMC10822714 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00402-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Biomarkers are commonly used in epidemiological studies to assess metals and metalloid exposure and estimate internal dose, as they integrate multiple sources and routes of exposure. Researchers are increasingly using multi-metal panels and innovative statistical methods to understand how exposure to real-world metal mixtures affects human health. Metals have both common and unique sources and routes of exposure, as well as biotransformation and elimination pathways. The development of multi-element analytical technology allows researchers to examine a broad spectrum of metals in their studies; however, their interpretation is complex as they can reflect different windows of exposure and several biomarkers have critical limitations. This review elaborates on more than 500 scientific publications to discuss major sources of exposure, biotransformation and elimination, and biomarkers of exposure and internal dose for 12 metals/metalloids, including 8 non-essential elements (arsenic, barium, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, tin, uranium) and 4 essential elements (manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc) commonly used in multi-element analyses. RECENT FINDINGS We conclude that not all metal biomarkers are adequate measures of exposure and that understanding the metabolic biotransformation and elimination of metals is key to metal biomarker interpretation. For example, whole blood is a good biomarker of exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and tin, but it is not a good indicator for barium, nickel, and uranium. For some essential metals, the interpretation of whole blood biomarkers is unclear. Urine is the most commonly used biomarker of exposure across metals but it should not be used to assess lead exposure. Essential metals such as zinc and manganese are tightly regulated by homeostatic processes; thus, elevated levels in urine may reflect body loss and metabolic processes rather than excess exposure. Total urinary arsenic may reflect exposure to both organic and inorganic arsenic, thus, arsenic speciation and adjustment for arsebonetaine are needed in populations with dietary seafood consumption. Hair and nails primarily reflect exposure to organic mercury, except in populations exposed to high levels of inorganic mercury such as in occupational and environmental settings. When selecting biomarkers, it is also critical to consider the exposure window of interest. Most populations are chronically exposed to metals in the low-to-moderate range, yet many biomarkers reflect recent exposures. Toenails are emerging biomarkers in this regard. They are reliable biomarkers of long-term exposure for arsenic, mercury, manganese, and selenium. However, more research is needed to understand the role of nails as a biomarker of exposure to other metals. Similarly, teeth are increasingly used to assess lifelong exposures to several essential and non-essential metals such as lead, including during the prenatal window. As metals epidemiology moves towards embracing a multi-metal/mixtures approach and expanding metal panels to include less commonly studied metals, it is important for researchers to have a strong knowledge base about the metal biomarkers included in their research. This review aims to aid metals researchers in their analysis planning, facilitate sound analytical decision-making, as well as appropriate understanding and interpretation of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Martinez-Morata
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, 1107, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Marisa Sobel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, 1107, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Maria Tellez-Plaza
- Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, 1107, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Caitlin G Howe
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Tiffany R Sanchez
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, 1107, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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Borghese MM, Fisher M, Ashley-Martin J, Fraser WD, Trottier H, Lanphear B, Johnson M, Helewa M, Foster W, Walker M, Arbuckle TE. Individual, Independent, and Joint Associations of Toxic Metals and Manganese on Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: Results from the MIREC Canadian Pregnancy Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:47014. [PMID: 37079392 PMCID: PMC10117658 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxic metals, such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg), may be associated with a higher risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, whereas manganese (Mn) is an essential metal that may be protective. OBJECTIVES We estimated the individual, independent, and joint associations of Pb, Cd, As, Hg, and Mn on the risk of developing gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in a cohort of Canadian women. METHODS Metal concentrations were analyzed in first and third trimester maternal blood (n = 1,560 ). We measured blood pressure after 20 wk gestation to diagnose gestational hypertension, whereas proteinuria and other complications defined preeclampsia. We estimated individual and independent (adjusted for coexposure) relative risks (RRs) for each doubling of metal concentrations and examined interactions between toxic metals and Mn. We used quantile g-computation to estimate the joint effect of trimester-specific exposures. RESULTS Each doubling of third trimester Pb (RR = 1.54 ; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.22) and first trimester blood As (RR = 1.25 ; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.58) was independently associated with a higher risk of developing preeclampsia. First trimester blood As (RR = 3.40 ; 95% CI: 1.40, 8.28) and Mn (RR = 0.63 ; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.94) concentrations were associated with a higher and lower risk, respectively, of developing gestational hypertension. Mn modified the association with As such that the deleterious association with As was stronger at lower concentrations of Mn. First trimester urinary dimethylarsinic acid concentrations were not associated with gestational hypertension (RR = 1.31 ; 95% CI: 0.60, 2.85) or preeclampsia (RR = 0.92 ; 95% CI: 0.68, 1.24). We did not observe overall joint effects for blood metals. DISCUSSION Our results confirm that even low blood Pb concentrations are a risk factor for preeclampsia. Women with higher blood As concentrations combined with lower Mn in early pregnancy were more likely to develop gestational hypertension. These pregnancy complications impact maternal and neonatal health. Understanding the contribution of toxic metals and Mn is of public health importance. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10825.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael M. Borghese
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mandy Fisher
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jillian Ashley-Martin
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - William D. Fraser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Helen Trottier
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bruce Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Markey Johnson
- Water and Air Quality Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Helewa
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Warren Foster
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Walker
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tye E. Arbuckle
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Zhang D, Liu H, Wang S, Liu Y, Ji H. Wheat bran fermented by Lactobacillus regulated the bacteria-fungi composition and reduced fecal heavy metals concentrations in growing pigs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159828. [PMID: 36368386 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159828] [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: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Lactobacillus fermentation can increase the value of wheat bran, but the benefits of fermented wheat bran for pig production are poorly understood. We evaluated the phenolic acid content of wheat bran fermented with Lactobacillus. The bacterial and fungal compositions, short-chain fatty acids, and heavy metals concentrations in the feces of growing pigs were determined, and the correlations between the bacterial and fungal compositions and short-chain fatty acid and heavy metals concentrations were also assessed. The concentrations of phenolic acids (caffeic acid, catechinic acid, and gallic acid) were higher in fermented bran than in control wheat bran. The diversity of feces bacterial species was significantly higher, whereas the diversity of fungi was lower in fermented wheat bran treatment than those in the control group, and pigs consuming fermented and control wheat bran with different bacterial and fungal compositions had different growth rates. The abundance of genera in fungi that were less abundant in the fermented group samples than in the control samples (including Wallemia, Trichosporon, Candida, Aspergillus, and unclassified_f__Microascaceae) was positively correlated with heavy metals concentrations in pig feces, and the abundances of these fungi were negatively correlated with caffeic acid, catechinic acid, and gallic acid concentrations. Metagenomic function predictions indicated that larger amounts of secondary metabolites were synthesized in the fermented group than in the control group. The results provide new insights into the roles of bacterial-fungal interactions in the growth and decreasing environmental pollution of pigs consuming fermented wheat bran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyan Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Sixin Wang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Yajuan Liu
- Mountainous Area Research Institute of Hebei Province, Hebei Agricultural University, China
| | - Haifeng Ji
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China.
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Krout IN, Scrimale T, Rand MD. Targeted Intracellular Demethylation of Methylmercury Enhances Elimination Kinetics and Reduces Developmental Toxicity in Transgenic Drosophila. Toxicol Sci 2022; 190:146-157. [PMID: 36200918 PMCID: PMC9960040 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) persists today as a priority public health concern. Mechanisms influencing MeHg metabolism, kinetics, and toxicity outcomes are therefore essential knowledge for informing exposure risks. Evidence points to different toxic potencies of MeHg and inorganic mercury (Hg2+), highlighting the role for biotransformation (demethylation) in regulating MeHg toxicokinetics/dynamics. Whereas microbial MeHg demethylation in the gut is seen to influence elimination kinetics, the potential for systemic demethylation in tissues and target organs to influence MeHg toxicity remains uncertain. To investigate the consequences of systemic MeHg demethylation across development, we engineered transgenic Drosophila to express the bacterial organomercurial lyase enzyme (merB) in a targeted and tissue-specific manner. With all combinations of merB-induced demethylation, ubiquitously (via an actin promoter) or in a tissue-specific manner (ie, gut, muscle, neurons), we observe a rescue of MeHg-induced eclosion failure at the pupal to adult transition. In MeHg-fed larvae with ubiquitous or targeted (gut and muscle) merB expression, we see a significant decrease in MeHg body burden at the pupal stage relative to control flies. We also observe a significant increase in the MeHg elimination rate with merB demethylation induced in adults (control, t1/2 = 7.2 days; merB flies, t1/2 = 3.1 days). With neuronal-specific merB expression, we observe a rescue of MeHg-induced eclosion failure without a decrease in Hg body burden, but a redistribution of Hg away from the brain. These results demonstrate the previously unidentified potential for intracellular MeHg demethylation to promote transport and elimination of Hg, and reduce developmental MeHg toxicity. Impact Statement: These findings demonstrate the potential for MeHg demethylation in situ to contribute significantly to the MeHg elimination and distribution kinetics of whole animals and thereby affords a means of protection against the toxic insult of MeHg. Therefore, this study reveals important insight into processes that can determine an individual's resistance or susceptibility to MeHg and provides rationale for therapies targeting a novel metabolism-based pathways to alleviate toxicity risk stemming from MeHg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian N Krout
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: and E-mail:
| | - Thomas Scrimale
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14620, USA
| | - Matthew D Rand
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: and E-mail:
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9
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Zhu YS, Yang JQ, Wang N, Deng ZQ, Qing Y, Wu M, Cai H, Liu H, He GS. Estimation of the bio-accessibility of methylmercury from aquatic foods using a PBTK model with an approximate Bayesian computation method in Chinese pregnant women. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 168:113372. [PMID: 35985365 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fish are the primary source of protein and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for pregnant women and children, but methylmercury (MeHg) pollution is the potential hazard of fish consumption. In risk assessments, the bio-accessibility of MeHg is usually assumed to be 100%, which could lead to overestimation of dietary exposure. METHOD An existing PBTK model was adapted to estimate parameters of the bio-accessibility based on MeHg exposure data from a cohort of 397 Chinese pregnant women. The posterior distributions of parameters were determined by using the ABC - MCMC. RMSEP and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (Rho) were calculated to determine the goodness of model fitting. The Monte Carlo analysis was performed for the parameter distributions to estimate the model variability. RESULT The median of daily MeHg intake and maternal MeHg levels were 0.018 μg/kg bw and 3.01 μg/kg in the early and middle terms of pregnancy. The estimated bio-accessibility of freshwater fish, marine fish and others were 46.1, 17.3 and 58.2%, separately. The RMSEP improved from 11.18 to 2.54 and the Rho improved from 0.19 to 0.22 after bio-accessibility optimization. The model variability was estimated to be 2.6. CONCLUSION The bio-accessibility estimated in this study was comparable to that determined in previous in vitro studies. The optimized model could improve the prediction performance on the MeHg body burden by dietary exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Shen Zhu
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jia-Qi Yang
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Na Wang
- Nursing Department, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200090, China
| | - Ze-Qun Deng
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ying Qing
- College of Medical Technology, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
| | - Min Wu
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hua Cai
- Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Geng-Sheng He
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China.
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10
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Li ML, Gillies EJ, Briner R, Hoover CA, Sora KJ, Loseto LL, Walters WJ, Cheung WWL, Giang A. Investigating the dynamics of methylmercury bioaccumulation in the Beaufort Sea shelf food web: a modeling perspective. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:1010-1025. [PMID: 35748915 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00108j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
High levels of methylmercury (MeHg) have been reported in Arctic marine biota, posing health risks to wildlife and human beings. Although MeHg concentrations of some Arctic species have been monitored for decades, the key environmental and ecological factors driving temporal trends of MeHg are largely unclear. We develop an ecosystem-based MeHg bioaccumulation model for the Beaufort Sea shelf (BSS) using the Ecotracer module of Ecopath with Ecosim, and apply the model to explore how MeHg toxicokinetics and food web trophodynamics affect bioaccumulation in the BSS food web. We show that a food web model with complex trophodynamics and relatively simple MeHg model parametrization can capture the observed biomagnification pattern of the BSS. While both benthic and pelagic production are important for transferring MeHg to fish and marine mammals, simulations suggest that benthic organisms are primarily responsible for driving the high trophic magnification factor in the BSS. We illustrate ways of combining empirical observations and modelling experiments to generate hypotheses about factors affecting food web bioaccumulation, including the MeHg elimination rate, trophodynamics, and species migration behavior. The results indicate that population dynamics rather than MeHg elimination may determine population-wide concentrations for fish and lower trophic level organisms, and cause large differences in concentrations between species at similar trophic levels. This research presents a new tool and lays the groundwork for future research to assess the pathways of global environmental changes in MeHg bioaccumulation in Arctic ecosystems in the past and the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Ling Li
- School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
- Institute for Resources, Environment & Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Emma J Gillies
- Institute for Resources, Environment & Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Renea Briner
- School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
| | - Carie A Hoover
- Marine Affairs Program, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Kristen J Sora
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lisa L Loseto
- Freshwater Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, Department Environment and Geography, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - William J Walters
- Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - William W L Cheung
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amanda Giang
- Institute for Resources, Environment & Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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11
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Dack K, Fell M, Taylor CM, Havdahl A, Lewis SJ. Prenatal Mercury Exposure and Neurodevelopment up to the Age of 5 Years: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19041976. [PMID: 35206164 PMCID: PMC8871549 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19041976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental delays can interfere with children’s engagement with the world and further development, and may have negative consequences into adulthood. Mercury is highly toxic and may negatively influence neurodevelopment because it can freely cross the placenta and accumulate in the fetal brain. We searched four publication databases (Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus) for studies examining the relationship between early life mercury exposure and scores on neurodevelopmental performance measures in children aged 0 to 5 years old. Study quality was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Quality Assessment Tool. Thirty-two prospective studies were included in the review. Neurodevelopmental performance was measured using 23 different scales, most commonly the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID). In most cases, the evidence for an association between mercury and neurodevelopment was weak. There did not appear to be exceptions for particular childhood ages, outcome scales, or mercury levels. The small number of results to the contrary were more likely to be studies which did not meet our high-quality criteria, and could be a consequence of multiple testing, selection bias, or incomplete confounder adjustment. Based on current evidence, dietary mercury exposure during pregnancy is unlikely to be a risk factor for low neurodevelopmental functioning in early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Dack
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Matthew Fell
- Cleft Collective, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK;
| | - Caroline M. Taylor
- Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK;
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway;
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, 0853 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sarah J. Lewis
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK;
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12
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Arun KB, Madhavan A, Sindhu R, Emmanual S, Binod P, Pugazhendhi A, Sirohi R, Reshmy R, Awasthi MK, Gnansounou E, Pandey A. Probiotics and gut microbiome - Prospects and challenges in remediating heavy metal toxicity. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 420:126676. [PMID: 34329091 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The gut microbiome, often referred to as "super organ", comprises up to a hundred trillion microorganisms, and the species diversity may vary from person to person. They perform a decisive role in diverse biological functions related to metabolism, immunity and neurological responses. However, the microbiome is sensitive to environmental pollutants, especially heavy metals. There is continuous interaction between heavy metals and the microbiome. Heavy metal exposure retards the growth and changes the structure of the phyla involved in the gut microbiome. Meanwhile, the gut microbiome tries to detoxify the heavy metals by altering the physiological conditions, intestinal permeability, enhancing enzymes for metabolizing heavy metals. This review summarizes the effect of heavy metals in altering the gut microbiome, the mechanism by which gut microbiota detoxifies heavy metals, diseases developed due to heavy metal-induced dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, and the usage of probiotics along with advancements in developing improved recombinant probiotic strains for the remediation of heavy metal toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- K B Arun
- Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Aravind Madhavan
- Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Raveendran Sindhu
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India
| | - Shibitha Emmanual
- Department of Zoology, St. Joseph's College, Thrissur 680121, Kerala, India
| | - Parameswaran Binod
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum 695019, Kerala, India
| | - Arivalagan Pugazhendhi
- School of Renewable Energy, Maejo University, Chiang Mai 50290, Thailand; College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan ROC
| | - Ranjna Sirohi
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136713, Republic of Korea; Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Lucknow 226029, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - R Reshmy
- Post Graduate and Research Department of Chemistry, Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara 690110, Kerala, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar Awasthi
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, North West A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Edgard Gnansounou
- Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, ENAC GR-GN, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ashok Pandey
- Centre for Innovation and Translational Research, CSIR, Indian Institute for Toxicology Research, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Lucknow 226029, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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13
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Wei Y, Ni L, Pan J, Li X, Xu B, Deng Y, Yang T, Liu W. The Roles of Oxidative Stress in Regulating Autophagy in Methylmercury-induced Neurotoxicity. Neuroscience 2021; 469:175-190. [PMID: 34174372 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potential neurotoxin that is highly toxic to the human central nervous system. Although MeHg neurotoxicity has been widely studied, the mechanism of MeHg neurotoxicity has not yet been fully elucidated. Some research evidence suggests that oxidative stress and autophagy are important molecular mechanisms of MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. Researchers have widely accepted that oxidative stress regulates the autophagy pathway. The current study reviews the activation of Nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2)-related oxidative stress pathways and autophagy signaling pathways in the case of MeHg neurotoxicity. In addition, autophagy mainly plays a role in the neurotoxicity of MeHg through mTOR-dependent and mTOR-independent autophagy signaling pathways. Finally, the regulation of autophagy by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Nrf2 in MeHg neurotoxicity was explored in this review, providing a new concept for the study of the neurotoxicity mechanism of MeHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfeng Wei
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Linlin Ni
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Jingjing Pan
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaoyang Li
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Yu Deng
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Tianyao Yang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China.
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14
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Mellingen RM, Myrmel LS, Lie KK, Rasinger JD, Madsen L, Nøstbakken OJ. RNA sequencing and proteomic profiling reveal different alterations by dietary methylmercury in the hippocampal transcriptome and proteome in BALB/c mice. Metallomics 2021; 13:mfab022. [PMID: 33890672 PMCID: PMC8716076 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfab022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a highly neurotoxic form of mercury (Hg) present in seafood. Here, we recorded and compared proteomic and transcriptomic changes in hippocampus of male BALB/c mice exposed to two doses of MeHg. Mice were fed diets spiked with 0.28 mg MeHg kg-1, 5 mg MeHg kg-1, or an unspiked control diet for 77 days. Total mercury content was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in brain tissue of both MeHg-exposed groups (18 ± 2 mg Hg kg-1 and 0.56 ± 0.06 mg Hg kg-1). Hippocampal protein and ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression levels were significantly altered both in tissues from mice receiving a low dose MeHg (20 proteins/294 RNA transcripts) and a high dose MeHg (61 proteins/876 RNA transcripts). The majority but not all the differentially expressed features in hippocampus were dose dependent. The combined use of transcriptomic and proteomic profiling data provided insight on the influence of MeHg on neurotoxicity, energy metabolism, and oxidative stress through several regulated features and pathways, including RXR function and superoxide radical degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragnhild Marie Mellingen
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Lise Madsen
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
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15
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Novo JP, Martins B, Raposo RS, Pereira FC, Oriá RB, Malva JO, Fontes-Ribeiro C. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Methylmercury Neurotoxicity and Neuroinflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063101. [PMID: 33803585 PMCID: PMC8003103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity is a major environmental concern. In the aquatic reservoir, MeHg bioaccumulates along the food chain until it is consumed by riverine populations. There has been much interest in the neurotoxicity of MeHg due to recent environmental disasters. Studies have also addressed the implications of long-term MeHg exposure for humans. The central nervous system is particularly susceptible to the deleterious effects of MeHg, as evidenced by clinical symptoms and histopathological changes in poisoned humans. In vitro and in vivo studies have been crucial in deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. A collection of cellular and molecular alterations including cytokine release, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, Ca2+ and glutamate dyshomeostasis, and cell death mechanisms are important consequences of brain cells exposure to MeHg. The purpose of this review is to organize an overview of the mercury cycle and MeHg poisoning events and to summarize data from cellular, animal, and human studies focusing on MeHg effects in neurons and glial cells. This review proposes an up-to-date compendium that will serve as a starting point for further studies and a consultation reference of published studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- João P. Novo
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.N.); (B.M.); (R.S.R.); (F.C.P.)
| | - Beatriz Martins
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.N.); (B.M.); (R.S.R.); (F.C.P.)
| | - Ramon S. Raposo
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.N.); (B.M.); (R.S.R.); (F.C.P.)
- Experimental Biology Core, University of Fortaleza, Health Sciences, Fortaleza 60110-001, Brazil
| | - Frederico C. Pereira
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.N.); (B.M.); (R.S.R.); (F.C.P.)
| | - Reinaldo B. Oriá
- Laboratory of Tissue Healing, Ontogeny and Nutrition, Department of Morphology and Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-270, Brazil;
| | - João O. Malva
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.N.); (B.M.); (R.S.R.); (F.C.P.)
- Correspondence: (J.O.M.); (C.F.-R.)
| | - Carlos Fontes-Ribeiro
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), and Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.P.N.); (B.M.); (R.S.R.); (F.C.P.)
- Correspondence: (J.O.M.); (C.F.-R.)
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16
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Duan H, Yu L, Tian F, Zhai Q, Fan L, Chen W. Gut microbiota: A target for heavy metal toxicity and a probiotic protective strategy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 742:140429. [PMID: 32629250 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
There is growing epidemiological evidence that heavy metals (HMs) may contribute to the progression of various metabolic diseases and that the etiology and progression of these diseases is partly due to HM-induced perturbations of the gut microbiota. Importantly, the gut microbiota are the first line of defense against the toxic effects of HMs, and there is a bidirectional relationship between the two. Thus, HM exposure alters the composition and metabolic profile of the gut microbiota at the functional level, and in turn, the gut microbiota alter the uptake and metabolism of HMs by acting as a physical barrier to HM absorption and by altering the pH, oxidative balance, and concentrations of detoxification enzymes or proteins involved in HM metabolism. Moreover, the gut microbiota can affect the integrity of the intestinal barrier, which may also in turn affect the absorption of HMs. Specifically, probiotic have been shown to reduce the absorption of HMs in the intestinal tract via the enhancement of intestinal HM sequestration, detoxification of HMs in the gut, changing the expression of metal transporter proteins, and maintaining the gut barrier function. This review is a summary of the bidirectional relationship between HMs and gut microbiota and of the probiotic-based protective strategies against HM-induced gut dysbiosis, with reference to strategies used in the food industry or for medically alleviating HM toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Leilei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics at Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Fengwei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics at Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Qixiao Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics at Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Liuping Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics at Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
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17
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Montoya Z, Conroy M, Vanden Heuvel BD, Pauli CS, Park SH. Cannabis Contaminants Limit Pharmacological Use of Cannabidiol. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:571832. [PMID: 33013414 PMCID: PMC7516211 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.571832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
For nearly a century, Cannabis has been stigmatized and criminalized across the globe, but in recent years, there has been a growing interest in Cannabis due to the therapeutic potential of phytocannabinoids. With this emerging interest in Cannabis, concerns have arisen about the possible contaminations of hemp with pesticides, heavy metals, microbial pathogens, and carcinogenic compounds during the cultivation, manufacturing, and packaging processes. This is of particular concern for those turning to Cannabis for medicinal purposes, especially those with compromised immune systems. This review aims to provide types of contaminants and examples of Cannabis contamination using case studies that elucidate the medical consequences consumers risk when using adulterated Cannabis products. Thus, it is imperative to develop universal standards for cultivation and testing of products to protect those who consume Cannabis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zackary Montoya
- Institute of Cannabis Research, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO, United States
| | - Matthieu Conroy
- Institute of Cannabis Research, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO, United States
| | | | - Christopher S Pauli
- Institute of Cannabis Research, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO, United States
| | - Sang-Hyuck Park
- Institute of Cannabis Research, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO, United States
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO, United States
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18
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Wang X, Shan G, Zhu L. Estimation of internal human daily intakes of organophosphate esters using one-compartment toxicokinetic model in the whole blood from Hebei Province, China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 186:109493. [PMID: 32325292 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the human health risks attributed by organophosphate ester (OPE) exposure, it is very important to estimate the daily intakes (DIs) of OPEs in human. In this study, the DIs of OPEs were estimated using a simplified one-compartment toxicokinetic model based on their total clearance rates in human and their whole blood concentrations. Thirty paired human whole blood and plasma samples were collected from participants in Hengshui, Hebei Province, China. The detection frequencies of most OPEs in the whole blood were lower than 50.0%. Thus, the OPE levels in whole blood were converted from the corresponding plasma levels using the fractions of OPEs in plasma (Fp), which were estimated from an in vitro partition assay and the values were in the range of 0.52-0.98. The measured whole blood concentrations of triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) and tris(chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) were comparable to those converted from the plasma concentrations, suggesting that the conversion method was reliable. The estimated total DIs of TPHP, TCEP, and tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate were 1-30 times of those derived by the external exposure method, which usually excluded many exposure sources. The estimated human health risks based on the DIs indicated that the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of OPEs for the participants in Hengshui, Hebei Province, China, were negligible. This study recommended a more reliable and simpler method to estimate the human health risks attributed to the exposure of OPEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Guoqiang Shan
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China.
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China.
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19
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Tengku Nur Alia TKA, Hing LS, Sim SF, Pradit S, Ahmad A, Ong MC. Comparative study of raw and cooked farmed sea bass (Lates calcarifer) in relation to metal content and its estimated human health risk. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 153:111009. [PMID: 32275555 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Metallic contamination in seafood, especially fish, has been of increasing concern to human health. Moreover, with increasing dependency on farmed fish for fish resources, the metallic contamination in them is still questionable. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cooking (steaming) on heavy metal concentration in farmed fish and to estimate its potential human health risk. Farmed sea basses (Lates calcarifer) from Setiu Lagoon were used to study the difference in metal uptake through human consumption of raw and cooked (steamed) fish samples. Selected heavy metals, namely copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb), were measured using ICP-MS following Teflon bomb closed digestion of the fish samples. Cooking of the fish muscle by steaming was applied to investigate if cooking changes the concentration of heavy metals. Mercury and As were found accumulated more notably in the fish muscle, though only Hg was found to show significant (p > 0.05) increase when L. calcarifer is cooked. The amount of As in the fish muscle throughout its growth can be potentially harmful to humans, with the highest averaged concentration at 3.29 ± 0.65 mg/kg dw. above the standard set by the Malaysian Food Regulation (1985) of >1 mg/kg. All the other heavy metals were at relatively safe concentrations well below the standard set by both national and international guidelines. The PTWI per individual of L. calcarifer for As was at 0.84 mg/kg bw., which indicated that the amount of this fish safe for consumption without any adverse effect is 170 g/week. Therefore, long-term intake of these fish may pose a risk to human health due to the relatively higher Hg and As concentration found in these fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K A Tengku Nur Alia
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - L S Hing
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - S F Sim
- Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, 94300, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - S Pradit
- Marine and Coastal Resources Institute, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - A Ahmad
- Marine Fishery Resources Development and Management Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), 21080 Chendering, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - M C Ong
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Ocean Pollution and Ecotoxicology (OPEC) Research Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
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Rand MD, Caito SW. Variation in the biological half-life of methylmercury in humans: Methods, measurements and meaning. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2019; 1863:129301. [PMID: 30742954 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity requires a complete understanding of its fundamental toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic characteristics in the human body. The biological half-life (t1/2) of MeHg is a kinetic property that directly influences the body burden of Hg that results from repeated exposures such as can occur with fish and seafood consumption. The t1/2 of MeHg in humans is approximately 50 days, equivalent to an elimination rate (kel) of 0.014 day-1. However, numerous studies report a wide range of half-life values (t1/2 < 30 to >120 days), demonstrating that significant variation in the biological process of MeHg elimination exists. This variation is a source of considerable uncertainty in deriving a meaningful reference dose for MeHg applicable to all individuals in a population. SCOPE OF REVIEW First, we summarize fundamentals of MeHg toxicokinetics, emphasizing the central role that biological half-life plays in MeHg dosimetry. We next present important considerations for how kinetic analyses are performed. We provide an example of how MeHg half-life variation directly influences the body burden and, in certain contexts, can result in MeHg levels exceeding the US EPA Reference Dose. We then survey existing studies that report MeHg half-life determinations in people. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Recent advances in methods of determining MeHg kinetics in people have made individualized assessment of MeHg elimination rates more accurate and readily obtainable. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Characterization of MeHg half-life, particularly in vulnerable individuals, such as pregnant women and children, will diminish the remaining toxicokinetic uncertainty surrounding MeHg exposures and will better inform the risk assessment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Rand
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, United States.
| | - Samuel W Caito
- Husson University, School of Pharmacy, Bangor, ME 04401, United States
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Diouf M, Sillam-Dussès D, Alphonse V, Frechault S, Miambi E, Mora P. Mercury species in the nests and bodies of soil-feeding termites, Silvestritermes spp. (Termitidae, Syntermitinae), in French Guiana. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 254:113064. [PMID: 31479810 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury pollution is currently a major public health concern, given the adverse effects of mercury on wildlife and humans. Soil plays an essential role in speciation of mercury and its global cycling, while being a habitat for a wide range of terrestrial fauna. Soil fauna, primarily soil-feeding taxa that are in intimate contact with soil pollutants are key contributors in the cycling of soil mercury and might provide relevant indications about soil pollution. We studied the enrichment of various mercury species in the nests and bodies of soil-feeding termites Silvestritermes spp. in French Guiana. Soil-feeding termites are the only social insects using soil as both shelter and food and are major decomposers of organic matter in neotropical forests. Nests of S. minutus were depleted in total and mobile mercury compared to nearby soil. In contrast, they were enriched 17 times in methylmercury. The highest concentrations of methylmercury were found in body of both studied termite species, with mean bioconcentration factors of 58 for S. minutus and 179 for S. holmgreni relative to the soil. The assessment of the body distribution of methylmercury in S. minutus showed concentrations of 221 ng g-1 for the guts and even higher for the gut-free carcasses (683 ng g-1), suggesting that methylmercury is not confined to the gut where it was likely produced, but rather stored in various tissues. This enrichment in the most toxic form of Hg in termites may be of concern on termite predators and the higher levels in the food chain that may be endangered through prey-to-predator transfers and bioaccumulation. Soil-feeding termites appear to be promising candidates as bio-indicators of mercury pollution in soils of neotropical rainforest ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Diouf
- Faculté des Sciences et Technologie, Université Paris Est Créteil, Département ECOEVO, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES, Paris), 61 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94010 Créteil Cedex, France.
| | - David Sillam-Dussès
- Université Paris 13 - Sorbonne Paris Cité, Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée, 99 avenue Jean-Baptiste Clément, 93430 Villetaneuse, France
| | - Vanessa Alphonse
- Faculté des Sciences et Technologie, Université Paris Est Créteil, Laboratoire Eau, Environnement, Systèmes Urbains (LEESU), UMR-MA 102, 61 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94010 Créteil Cedex, France
| | - Sophie Frechault
- Faculté des Sciences et Technologie, Université Paris Est Créteil, Département ECOEVO, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES, Paris), 61 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94010 Créteil Cedex, France
| | - Edouard Miambi
- Faculté des Sciences et Technologie, Université Paris Est Créteil, Département ECOEVO, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES, Paris), 61 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94010 Créteil Cedex, France
| | - Philippe Mora
- Faculté des Sciences et Technologie, Université Paris Est Créteil, Département ECOEVO, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES, Paris), 61 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94010 Créteil Cedex, France
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Bulka CM, Bommarito PA, Fry RC. Predictors of toxic metal exposures among US women of reproductive age. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2019; 29:597-612. [PMID: 31235790 PMCID: PMC6709576 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-019-0152-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are ubiquitous toxicants that may be especially harmful to unborn children. We therefore sought to identify temporal trends and predictors of toxic metal biomarkers among US women of reproductive age, including those who were pregnant and/or breastfeeding. METHODS Interviews and examinations were performed among a representative sample of women, aged 20-44 years, as part of the 2003-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. A range of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and dietary factors were evaluated as predictors of urinary inorganic arsenic, urinary cadmium, blood mercury, and blood lead concentrations. RESULTS Levels of all four toxic metal biomarkers declined during the study period. Older age, racial/ethnic minorities, and a birthplace outside of the US were independently associated with higher toxic metal concentrations. Associations were similar for women who were pregnant or breastfeeding and those who were not. CONCLUSION US women of reproductive age were exposed to lower levels of toxic metals in 2013-2014 compared to 2003-2004. However, because the long-term health effects of early life exposures are unclear, public health efforts to address toxic metals should pay particular attention to older, nonwhite, and foreign-born women if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Bulka
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gilling School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Paige A Bommarito
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gilling School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca C Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gilling School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gilling School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Vollset M, Iszatt N, Enger Ø, Gjengedal ELF, Eggesbø M. Concentration of mercury, cadmium, and lead in breast milk from Norwegian mothers: Association with dietary habits, amalgam and other factors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 677:466-473. [PMID: 31063889 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) are of great concern for food safety and infants are especially sensitive to exposure to the maternal body burden. We quantified these elements in breast milk from Norwegian mothers and determined their association with dietary habits, maternal amalgam fillings, and smoking. Breast milk (n = 300) from the Norwegian Human Milk Study (HUMIS) was analyzed using triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, after an acidic decomposition using microwave technique. We used multiple linear regression to examine predictors of Hg and Cd in breast milk, and logistic regression to test predictors of Pb above the quantification limit. The median breast milk concentrations (minimum - maximum) were 0.20 μg Hg/kg (<0.058-0.89), 0.057 μg Cd/kg (0.017-1.2), and <0.67 μg Pb/kg (<0.2-7.5). Cadmium showed no significant relation with any exposure variable investigated. Lead was associated with intake of liver and kidneys from game. For Hg concentration in breast milk, number of amalgam fillings and high fish consumption were significant predictors (p < 0.001). We detected a significant association (p < 0.01) between Hg in breast milk and maternal consumption of Atlantic halibut, lean fish, mussels and scallops and lifetime consumption of crab. Seafood intake alone explained 10% of variance, while together with amalgam explained 46% of variance in Hg concentration in breast milk. Our findings emphasize the importance of following consumer advice with respect to fish and seafood and points to amalgam as an important source for Hg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Vollset
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway.
| | - Nina Iszatt
- Department of Environmental Exposure and Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404, N-0403 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Øyvind Enger
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway
| | - Elin Lovise Folven Gjengedal
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway.
| | - Merete Eggesbø
- Department of Environmental Exposure and Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404, N-0403 Oslo, Norway.
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Queipo-Abad S, González PR, Martínez-Morillo E, Davis WC, García Alonso JI. Concentration of mercury species in hair, blood and urine of individuals occupationally exposed to gaseous elemental mercury in Asturias (Spain) and its comparison with individuals from a control group formed by close relatives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 672:314-323. [PMID: 30959298 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Between November 19th, 2012 and December 3rd, 2012, 50 workers were intoxicated with gaseous Hg in San Juan de Nieva (Asturias, Spain) during the maintenance of a heat exchanger of a zinc manufacturer. We have quantified the concentration of methylmercury (MeHg), ethylmercury (EtHg) and Hg(II) in blood, hair and urine samples of those individuals taken three years after the accident. Blood, hair and urine of their closest relatives were also analyzed to assess whether the mercury burden present in the intoxicated individuals was due to the occupational exposure or to environmental or lifestyle-related factors. The determination of the mercury species in the samples was carried out applying multiple spiking Isotope Dilution GC-ICP-MS. This procedure corrects for possible interconversion reactions between the Hg species during the sample preparation procedure. Linear correlations were observed for both groups when plotting MeHg in blood vs MeHg in hair, and MeHg in hair vs Hg (II) in urine. The concentrations of Hg species in the intoxicated individuals were not significantly different from those obtained in the control group except for MeHg in blood. Significantly higher levels of MeHg in blood were obtained in some of the intoxicated individuals who had not consumed fish or seafood since the accident. A different correlation between MeHg in hair and MeHg in blood was obtained for these individuals compared to the control group who showed a hair-to-blood ratio consistent with the reported value for people exposed to Hg via fish consumption. Our results suggest that ingested MeHg followed the same pathway of deposition in hair in exposed and non-exposed individuals. However, the exposed individuals with high MeHg levels in blood showed a significantly different extent of MeHg deposition in hair compared to the control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Queipo-Abad
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería, 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Pablo Rodríguez González
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería, 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Eduardo Martínez-Morillo
- Service of Clinical Biochemistry, Laboratory of Medicine, Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - W Clay Davis
- Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - José Ignacio García Alonso
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería, 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
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25
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Tsai TL, Kuo CC, Pan WH, Wu TN, Lin P, Wang SL. Type 2 diabetes occurrence and mercury exposure - From the National Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 126:260-267. [PMID: 30825744 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to increase in both developed and developing countries. Environmental exposure to mercury may be an important and modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes. However, the epidemiological results are controversial. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine the association between blood mercury levels and prevalence of type 2 diabetes. METHODS A total of 646 adult participants were selected from the National Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) 2005-2008. The participants were interviewed using structured questionnaires to record data on basic demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, medical history, and 24-h dietary recall. Specimens of blood and urine were collected at the health examination. Type 2 diabetes was defined as a fasting blood glucose level ≥ 126 mg/dL or intake of hypoglycemic medications. The mercury concentration in red blood cells (RBC-Hg) was quantified by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS Participants with type 2 diabetes had a significantly higher RBC-Hg than those without type 2 diabetes. A significant association between the RBC-Hg and prevalence of type 2 diabetes was observed [odds ratio (OR): 1.64; 95% confidence intervals: 1.14-2.35] after potential confounders were well considered, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, total cholesterol, saltwater fish consumption, geographical strata, seasonality and hemoglobin (Hb) level. CONCLUSION Our findings showed that elevated RBC-Hg is significantly associated with type 2 diabetes prevalence. Future research, particularly for longitudinal cohort studies with suitable specimens, needs to be performed to verify our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Lin Tsai
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Chi Kuo
- Kidney Institute and Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Big Data Center, China Medical Univeresity Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Harn Pan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Trong-Neng Wu
- Department of Healthcare Administration, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pinpin Lin
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Safety, Health, and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan.
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26
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Jo S, Kim J, Lee W. An analysis pipeline for estimating true intake from repeated measurements with random errors. COMMUN STAT-THEOR M 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/03610926.2018.1429624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seongil Jo
- Department of Statistics (Institute of Applied Statistics), Chonbuk National University, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongseon Kim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Woojoo Lee
- Department of Statistics, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
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Skolnick SD, Greig NH. Microbes and Monoamines: Potential Neuropsychiatric Consequences of Dysbiosis. Trends Neurosci 2019; 42:151-163. [PMID: 30795845 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
From an evolutionary perspective, the genes of enteric microbes transmitted reliably across generations are nearly as much a part of the human organism as our own genes. Disruption of the microbiome leading to extinction of key 'heirloom' taxa can deprive individuals of metabolic pathways that have been present in their ancestors for millennia. Some of these pathways support essential synthesis and toxin clearance processes, including the generation of blood-brain barrier-crossing metabolic products crucial for normal brain function. Here, we discuss three such pathways: endogenous benzodiazepine synthesis, production of queuine/queuosine, and excretion of dietary mercury. Among them, these pathways have the potential to impact systems relevant to a wide range of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions including autism, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen D Skolnick
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Nigel H Greig
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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Risk assessment of methylmercury based on internal exposure and fish and seafood consumption estimates in Taiwanese children. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2018; 221:697-703. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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29
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Feitosa-Santana C, Souza GDS, Sirius EVP, Rodrigues AR, Cortes MIT, Silveira LCDL, Ventura DF. Color vision impairment with low-level methylmercury exposure of an Amazonian population – Brazil. Neurotoxicology 2018; 66:179-184. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Pellacani C, Costa LG. Role of autophagy in environmental neurotoxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 235:791-805. [PMID: 29353798 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.12.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to neurotoxic pollutants (e.g. metals, pesticides and other chemicals) is recognized as a key risk factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Emerging evidence indicates that an alteration in autophagic pathways may be correlated with the onset of the neurotoxicity resulting from chronic exposure to these pollutants. In fact, autophagy is a natural process that permits to preserving cell homeostasis, through the seizure and degradation of the cytosolic damaged elements. However, when an excessive level of intracellular damage is reached, the autophagic process may also induce cell death. A correct modulation of specific stages of autophagy is important to maintain the correct balance in the organism. In this review, we highlight the critical role that autophagy plays in neurotoxicity induced by the most common classes of environmental contaminants. The understanding of this mechanism may be helpful to discover a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce side effects induced by these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Pellacani
- Dept. of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - L G Costa
- Dept. of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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31
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Ballester F, Iñiguez C, Murcia M, Guxens M, Basterretxea M, Rebagliato M, Vioque J, Lertxundi A, Fernandez-Somoano A, Tardon A, Sunyer J, Llop S. Prenatal exposure to mercury and longitudinally assessed fetal growth: Relation and effect modifiers. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 160:97-106. [PMID: 28968527 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/16/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal mercury exposure has been related to reductions in anthropometry at birth. Levels of mercury have been reported as being relatively elevated in the Spanish population. OBJECTIVE To investigate the relation between prenatal exposure to mercury and fetal growth. METHODS Study subjects were pregnant women and their newborns (n:1867) participating in a population-based birth cohort study set up in four Spanish regions from the INMA Project. Biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL), abdominal circumference (AC), and estimated fetal weight (EFW) were measured by ultrasounds at 12, 20, and 34 weeks of gestation. Size at and growth between these points were assessed by standard deviation (SD) scores adjusted for constitutional characteristics. Total mercury (T-Hg) was determined in cord blood. Associations were investigated by linear regression models, adjusted by sociodemographic, environmental, nutritional - including four seafood groups - and lifestyle-related variables in each sub-cohort. Final estimates were obtained using meta-analysis. Effect modification by sex, seafood intake and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener 153 concentration was assessed. RESULTS Geometric mean of cord blood T-Hg was 8.2μg/L. All the estimates of the association between prenatal Hg and growth from 0 to 12 weeks showed reductions in SD-scores, which were only statistically significant for BPD. A doubling of cord blood T-Hg was associated with a 0.58% reduction in size of BPD at week 12 (95% confidence interval -CI-: - 1.10, - 0.07). Size at week 34 showed estimates suggestive of a small reduction in EFW, i.e., a doubling of T-Hg levels was associated with a reduction of 0.38% (95% CI: - 0.91, 0.15). An interaction between PCB153 and T-Hg was found, with statistically significant negative associations of T-Hg with AC and EFW in late pregnancy among participants with PCB153 below the median. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to mercury during pregnancy was associated with early reductions in BPD. Moreover, an antagonism with PCB 153 was observed with noteworthy reductions late in pregnancy in AC and EFW in the group with lower PCB153.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Ballester
- Nursing School, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València Joint Research Unit of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - Carmen Iñiguez
- FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València Joint Research Unit of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Mario Murcia
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València Joint Research Unit of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mònica Guxens
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Centre-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mikel Basterretxea
- Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, San Sebastián, Spain; Health Research Institute (BIODONOSTIA), San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Marisa Rebagliato
- FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València Joint Research Unit of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Medicine Department, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Jesús Vioque
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Juan de Alicante, Spain
| | - Aitana Lertxundi
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Universidad del País Vasco, Spain
| | - Ana Fernandez-Somoano
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; IUOPA, Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain
| | - Adonina Tardon
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sabrina Llop
- FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València Joint Research Unit of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
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Zhou C, Cohen MD, Crimmins BA, Zhou H, Johnson TA, Hopke PK, Holsen TM. Mercury Temporal Trends in Top Predator Fish of the Laurentian Great Lakes from 2004 to 2015: Are Concentrations Still Decreasing? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:7386-7394. [PMID: 28578575 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) concentration trends in top predator fish (lake trout and walleye) of the Great Lakes (GL) from 2004 to 2015 were determined by Kendall-Theil robust regression with a cluster-based age normalization method to control for the effect of changes in lake trophic status. When data from the GLs (except Lake Erie) are combined, a significant decreasing trend in the lake trout Hg concentrations was found between 2004 and 2015 with an annual decrease of 4.1% per year, consistent with the decline in regional atmospheric Hg emissions and water Hg concentrations. However, a breakpoint was detected with a significant decreasing slope (-8.1% per year) before the breakpoint (2010), and no trend after the breakpoint. When the lakes are examined individually, Lakes Superior and Huron, which are dominated by atmospheric Hg inputs and are more likely than the lower lakes to respond to declining emissions from areas surrounding the GL, have significant decreasing trends with rates between 5.2 and 7.8% per year from 2004 to 2015. These declining trends appear to be driven by decreasing regional atmospheric Hg emissions although they may be partly counterbalanced by other factors, including increasing local emissions, food web changes, eutrophication, and responses to global climate change. Lakes Michigan, Erie and Ontario may have been more impacted by these other factors and their trends changed from decreasing to non-decreasing or increasing in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanlong Zhou
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University , Potsdam, New York 13676, United States
| | - Mark D Cohen
- Air Resources Laboratory, United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , College Park, Maryland 20740, United States
| | - Bernard A Crimmins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University , Potsdam, New York 13676, United States
| | - Hao Zhou
- Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Clarkson University , Potsdam, New York 13676, United States
| | - Timothy A Johnson
- Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Clarkson University , Potsdam, New York 13676, United States
| | - Philip K Hopke
- Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Clarkson University , Potsdam, New York 13676, United States
| | - Thomas M Holsen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University , Potsdam, New York 13676, United States
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Roy C, Tremblay PY, Ayotte P. Is mercury exposure causing diabetes, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance? A systematic review of the literature. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 156:747-760. [PMID: 28482296 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several populations are exposed to mercury (Hg) via their environment, occupation or diet. It is hypothesized that Hg exposure can lead to the development of diabetes mellitus (DM). Metabolic syndrome (MS) is also a possible outcome as its symptoms are closely linked to those of DM. METHOD We conducted a systematic review of the literature by screening Web of Science, MEDLINE, SciFinder and Embase and we included original studies pertaining to the relationship of total Hg exposure (elemental, inorganic or organic) to DM, MS or insulin resistance. The studies were selected based on the PICOS (patients, intervention, comparator, outcomes and study design) criteria and their quality assessed using a nine-point scale. Study characteristics and results were extracted and presented in structured tables. We also extracted covariates entered as confounding factors to evaluate possible biases in selected studies. Finally, a weight of evidence approach was used to assess the causality of the relationship. RESULTS A total of 34 studies were included in the present review. Epidemiological data assessment suggests a possible association between total Hg concentrations in different biological matrices and incidence of DM or MS, but the relationship is not consistent. In vivo and in vitro studies support the biological plausibility of the relation between Hg exposure and DM or MS. Five out of nine of Bradford Hill's criteria were fulfilled: strength, temporality, plausibility, coherence and analogy. CONCLUSION Increased total Hg exposure may augment the risk of DM and MS, but the lack of consistency of the epidemiological evidence prevents inference of a causal relationship. Additional prospective cohort studies and careful consideration of confounding variables and interactions are required to conclude on the causal relationship of total Hg exposure on the development of DM or MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Roy
- Centre de Toxicologie du Québec, Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), 945 Wolfe, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 5B3; Axe santé publique et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, 2875 boul. Laurier, Édifice Delta 2, Bureau 600, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 2M2.
| | - Pierre-Yves Tremblay
- Centre de Toxicologie du Québec, Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), 945 Wolfe, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 5B3; Axe santé publique et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, 2875 boul. Laurier, Édifice Delta 2, Bureau 600, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 2M2
| | - Pierre Ayotte
- Centre de Toxicologie du Québec, Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), 945 Wolfe, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 5B3; Axe santé publique et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, 2875 boul. Laurier, Édifice Delta 2, Bureau 600, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 2M2; Département de médecine préventive et sociale, Université Laval, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 0A6
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Sakamoto M, Kakita A, Domingo JL, Yamazaki H, Oliveira RB, Sarrazin SLF, Eto K, Murata K. Stable and episodic/bolus patterns of methylmercury exposure on mercury accumulation and histopathologic alterations in the nervous system. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 152:446-453. [PMID: 27450633 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The main purpose of the present study was to compare the blood and brain mercury (Hg) accumulation and neurological alterations in adult male and pregnant female/fetal rats following stable and episodic/bolus patterns of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure. In addition, MeHg accumulation in the human body was estimated by a one-compartment model using three different patterns of MeHg exposure. In the adult male rat experiment, doses of 0.3 and 1.5mg MeHg/kg/day were orally administered to the stable groups for 5 weeks, while 7-fold higher doses of 2.1 and 10.5mg MeHg/kg/once a week were administered to the bolus groups. The blood Hg levels increased constantly in the stable groups, but increased with repeated waves in the bolus groups. At completion of the experiment, there were no significant differences in the brain Hg concentrations or neurological alterations between the stable and bolus groups, when the total doses of MeHg were the same. In the pregnant female rat experiment, a dose of 1mg MeHg/kg/day was administered orally to the stable group for 20 days (until 1day before expected parturition), while a 5-fold higher dose of 5mg MeHg/kg/once every 5 days was administered to the bolus group. In the brains of the maternal/fetal rats, there were no significant differences in the Hg concentrations and neurological alterations between the stable and bolus groups. The mean Hg concentrations in the fetal brains were approximately 2-fold higher than those in the maternal brains for both stable and bolus groups. Using the one-compartment model, the Hg accumulation curves in humans at doses of 7µg MeHg/day, 48µg MeHg/once a week, and 96µg MeHg/once every 2 weeks were estimated to be similar, while the bolus groups showed dose-dependent amplitudes of repeated waves. These results suggest that stable and episodic/bolus patterns of MeHg exposure do not cause differences in Hg accumulation in the blood and brain, or in neurological alterations, when the total doses are the same.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mineshi Sakamoto
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, Kumamoto, Japan; Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, ICED-PPGBIO-PPGRNA-LABBEX, Santarém, Brazil.
| | - Akiyoshi Kakita
- Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - José L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat "Rovira I Virgili", Reus, Spain
| | - Hiroshi Yamazaki
- Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ricardo B Oliveira
- Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, ICED-PPGBIO-PPGRNA-LABBEX, Santarém, Brazil
| | - Sandra L F Sarrazin
- Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, ICED-PPGBIO-PPGRNA-LABBEX, Santarém, Brazil
| | - Komyo Eto
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, Kumamoto, Japan
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Ha E, Basu N, Bose-O'Reilly S, Dórea JG, McSorley E, Sakamoto M, Chan HM. Current progress on understanding the impact of mercury on human health. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 152:419-433. [PMID: 27444821 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.06.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Mercury pollution and its impacts on human health is of global concern. The authors of this paper were members of the Plenary Panel on Human Health in the 12th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant held in Korea in June 2015. The Panel was asked by the conference organizers to address two questions: what is the current understanding of the impacts of mercury exposure on human health and what information is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention in lowering exposure and preventing adverse effects. The authors conducted a critical review of the literature published since January 2012 and discussed the current state-of-knowledge in the following areas: environmental exposure and/or risk assessment; kinetics and biomonitoring; effects on children development; effects on adult general populations; effects on artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM); effects on dental workers; risk of ethylmercury in thimerosal-containing vaccines; interactions with nutrients; genetic determinants and; risk communication and management. Knowledge gaps in each area were identified and recommendations for future research were made. The Panel concluded that more knowledge synthesis efforts are needed to translate the research results into management tools for health professionals and policy makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunhee Ha
- Ewha Womans University, College of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, South Korea
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Canada
| | - Stephan Bose-O'Reilly
- University Hospital Munich, Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health, Germany; University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology (UMIT), Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, Austria
| | - José G Dórea
- Department of Nutrition, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Emeir McSorley
- Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, Ulster University, United Kingdom
| | - Mineshi Sakamoto
- Department of Epidemiology, National Institute for Minamata Disease, Japan
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Canada.
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Zhang Z, Miah M, Culbreth M, Aschner M. Autophagy in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Metal Neurotoxicity. Neurochem Res 2016; 41:409-22. [PMID: 26869037 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-1844-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy generally refers to cell catabolic and recycling process in which cytoplasmic components are delivered to lysosomes for degradation. During the last two decades, autophagy research has experienced a recent boom because of a newfound connection between this process and many human diseases. Autophagy plays a significant role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and protects cells from varying insults, including misfolded and aggregated proteins and damaged organelles, which is particularly crucial in neuronal survival. Mounting evidence has implicated autophagic dysfunction in the pathogenesis of several major neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease, where deficient elimination of abnormal and toxic protein aggregates promotes cellular stress, failure and death. In addition, autophagy has also been found to affect neurotoxicity induced by exposure to essential metals, such as manganese, copper, and iron, and other heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead, and methylmercury. This review examines current literature on the role of autophagy in the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis amongst common neurodegenerative disorders and of metal-induced neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyan Zhang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Forchheimer 209, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Mahfuzur Miah
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Forchheimer 209, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Megan Culbreth
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Forchheimer 209, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Forchheimer 209, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
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