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Contributing to Understand the Crosstalk between Brain and Periphery in Methylmercury Intoxication: Neurotoxicity and Extracellular Vesicles. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910855. [PMID: 34639196 PMCID: PMC8509412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) is currently high in regions such as the Amazon. Understanding the molecular changes associated with MeHg-induced neurotoxicity and the crosstalk with the periphery is essential to support early diagnoses. This work aimed to evaluate cellular and molecular changes associated with behavioral alterations in MeHg acute exposure and the possible changes in extracellular vesicles (EVs) number and S100β content. Adults male Wistar rats were orally treated with 5 mg/kg for four days. Behavioral performance, molecular and histological changes in the cerebellum, and plasma EVs were assessed. MeHg-intoxicated animals performed significantly worse in behavioral tests. MeHg increased the number of GFAP+ cells and GFAP and S100β mRNA expression in the cerebellum but no change in NeuN+ or IBA-1+ cells number was detected. The number of exosomes isolated from plasma were decreased by the metal. S100B mRNA was detected in circulating plasma EVs cargo in MeHg exposure. Though preliminary, our results suggest astrocytic reactivity is displaying a protective role once there was no neuronal death. Interestingly, the reduction in exosomes number could be a new mechanism associated with MeHg-induced neurotoxicity and plasma EVs could represent a source of future biomarkers in MeHg intoxication.
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Crespo-López ME, Soares ES, Macchi BDM, Santos-Sacramento L, Takeda PY, Lopes-Araújo A, Paraense RSDO, Souza-Monteiro JR, Augusto-Oliveira M, Luz DA, Maia CDSF, Rogez H, Lima MDO, Pereira JP, Oliveira DC, Burbano RR, Lima RR, do Nascimento JLM, Arrifano GDP. Towards Therapeutic Alternatives for Mercury Neurotoxicity in the Amazon: Unraveling the Pre-Clinical Effects of the Superfruit Açaí ( Euterpe oleracea, Mart.) as Juice for Human Consumption. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11112585. [PMID: 31717801 PMCID: PMC6893510 DOI: 10.3390/nu11112585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure is a serious problem of public health, especially in the Amazon. Exposure in riverine populations is responsible for neurobehavioral abnormalities. It was hypothesized that consumption of Amazonian fruits could protect by reducing mercury accumulation. This work analyzed the effects of commercial samples of Euterpe oleracea (EO) for human consumption (10 μL/g) against MeHg i.p. exposure (2.5 mg/Kg), using neurobehavioral (open field, rotarod and pole tests), biochemical (lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels), aging-related (telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mRNA expression) and toxicokinetic (MeHg content) parameters in mice. Both the pole and rotarod tests were the most sensitive tests accompanied by increased lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels in brains. MeHg reduced TERT mRNA about 50% demonstrating a strong pro-aging effect. The EO intake, similar to that of human populations, prevented all alterations, without changing the mercury content, but avoiding neurotoxicity and premature aging of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Contrary to the hypothesis found in the literature on the possible chelating properties of Amazonian fruits consumption, the effect of EO would be essentially pharmacodynamics, and possible mechanisms are discussed. Our data already support the regular consumption of EO as an excellent option for exposed Amazonian populations to have additional protection against MeHg intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ericks Sousa Soares
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Investigation, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa, Catarina, Florianópolis-SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Barbarella de Matos Macchi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurochemistry, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Priscila Yuki Takeda
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Diandra Araújo Luz
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior and Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Hervé Rogez
- Centre for Valorisation of Amazonian Bioactive Compounds (CVACBA) and Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - João Paulo Pereira
- Evandro Chagas Institute, Secretary of Sanitary Surveillance, Belém-PA 66093-020, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriela de Paula Arrifano
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
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Julvez J, Smith GD, Ring S, Grandjean P. A Birth Cohort Study on the Genetic Modification of the Association of Prenatal Methylmercury With Child Cognitive Development. Am J Epidemiol 2019; 188:1784-1793. [PMID: 31241132 PMCID: PMC6768817 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwz156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic predisposition might affect neurodevelopmental outcomes of prenatal methylmercury exposure. We examined suspected heterogeneities for modification of exposure-related neurodevelopment in children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (1991–2000), Bristol, United Kingdom. A subgroup (n = 1,127 from a pilot study and 1,045 from the present study) was identified based on the availability of the mercury concentration of cord tissue as a measure of prenatal methylmercury exposure, data on 247 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children intelligence quotient (IQ) scores. Log10-transformed mercury concentration was positively associated with IQ, but adjustment for confounding cofactors attenuated this association. A finding of enhanced interaction with methylmercury was replicated in this study for the minor allele of rs1042838 (progesterone receptor) (β = −11.8, 95% confidence interval: −23.0, −0.6; P for interaction = 0.004) and weakly for rs662 (paraoxonase 1) (β = −3.6, 95% confidence interval: −11.4, 4.3; P = 0.117). In the joint sample, new interacting single-nucleotide polymorphisms were discovered in relation to superoxide dismutase 2, ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 1, and metallothionein 1M genes. While the low-level prenatal exposure to methylmercury was not associated with child cognition, progesterone receptor rs1042838 minor alleles revealed a negative association of mercury exposure with IQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Julvez
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health –Campus MAR, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - George Davey Smith
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Susan Ring
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Cambier S, Fujimura M, Bourdineaud JP. A likely placental barrier against methylmercury in pregnant rats exposed to fish-containing diets. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 122:11-20. [PMID: 30273633 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.09.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) taken up through fish consumption can be transferred from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy. In the present study, pregnant rat mothers were contaminated with environmentally relevant doses of 36 and 76 ng MeHg/g of food using diets containing naturally mercury-containing fish. Young female rats fed with fish-containing food after weaning showed decreased locomotion in Y maze for accumulated concentrations in brain as low as 75 ng Hg/g dry weight (15 ng Hg/g wet weight). Young female rats fed the control diet after weaning yet borne by mothers fed the diet containing 76 ng MeHg/g, presented a 58% reduced activity in the open-field labyrinth, meaning that the maternal exposure to fish-containing food exerted an effect in utero that lasted several weeks after birth. Newborns were protected against Hg exposure by the placental barrier since in newborns from mothers fed the diet containing 76 ng MeHg/g of food, the concentrations of Hg in brain, kidney, liver and skeletal muscles represented 12, 3, 21 and 18% of those of their mother's tissues, respectively. These results suggest the existence, at least in rats, of a threshold level in terms of MeHg exposure above which the placental barrier collapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Cambier
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR 5805, Station Marine d'Arcachon, place du Docteur Peyneau, Arcachon, 33120, France; Present address: Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), 5 avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Masatake Fujimura
- National Institute for Minamata Disease, Pathology Section, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto, 867-0008, Japan
| | - Jean-Paul Bourdineaud
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR 5805, Station Marine d'Arcachon, place du Docteur Peyneau, Arcachon, 33120, France; Present address: Université de Bordeaux, CNRS MFP 5234, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, 33607, Pessac, France.
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Lisón F, Espín S, Aroca B, Calvo JF, García-Fernández AJ. Assessment of mercury exposure and maternal-foetal transfer in Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera: Miniopteridae) from southeastern Iberian Peninsula. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:5497-5508. [PMID: 28028704 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-8271-z] [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: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic and widely distributed metal that is bioaccumulated in insectivorous mammals and may cause adverse effects on the reproductive system. Bats are considered excellent Hg bioindicators due to their wide distribution, life span, trophic position, metabolic rate and food intake. However, few studies have analysed Hg residues in bats, and to the best of our knowledge, no studies have been made in the Iberian Peninsula. The main aim of this study was to undertake the first ever assessment of Hg exposure in Schreiber's bent-winged bats inhabiting a natural cave in the southeast of Spain. The findings suggest that Schreiber's bent-winged bats in the sampling area are chronically exposed to low levels of Hg. The Hg concentrations found in different tissues (fur, kidney, liver, muscle and brain) were below the threshold levels associated with toxic effects in mammals. Non-gestating females showed Hg concentrations in the brain and muscle that doubled those found in gestating females. This could be due to Hg mobilization from the mother to the foetus in gestating females, although other factors could contribute to explain this result such as variations in hunting areas and the insect-prey consumed and/or different energetic needs and average food consumption during the breeding season. Hg levels were 1.7 times higher, although not significant, in foetus' brains than in the maternal brains, and Hg concentration in foetus' brain was significantly correlated with levels in the corresponding mothers' kidney. These results suggest that there could be an active mother-to-foetus transfer of Hg in bats, which would be of special relevance in a scenario of higher Hg exposure than that found in this study. However, further research is needed to support this view due to the limited number of samples analysed. Given the scarce ecotoxicological data available for bats and their protected status, we encourage further opportunistic studies using carcasses found in the field, the validation of non-destructive samples such as fur and guano for Hg monitoring, and new modelling approaches that will increase the data needed for proper ecological risk assessment in bat populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulgencio Lisón
- Department of Ecology and Hydrology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
- Laboratorio de Ecología del Paisaje Forestal, Departamento de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de La Frontera, P.O. Box-54-D, Temuco, Chile
| | - Silvia Espín
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland.
| | - Bárbara Aroca
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - José F Calvo
- Department of Ecology and Hydrology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio J García-Fernández
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
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Research directives toward deciphering adverse outcome pathways induced by environmental metallotoxins. Curr Opin Chem Eng 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2016.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Gornati R, Pedretti E, Rossi F, Cappellini F, Zanella M, Olivato I, Sabbioni E, Bernardini G. Zerovalent Fe, Co and Ni nanoparticle toxicity evaluated on SKOV-3 and U87 cell lines. J Appl Toxicol 2015; 36:385-93. [PMID: 26378417 PMCID: PMC5054872 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We have considered nanoparticles (NPs) of Fe, Co and Ni, three transition metals sharing similar chemical properties. NP dissolution, conducted by radioactive tracer method and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, indicated that NiNPs and FeNPs released in the medium a much smaller amount of ions than that released by Co NPs. The two considered methodological approaches, however, gave comparable but not identical results. All NPs are readily internalized by the cells, but their quantity inside the cells is less than 5%. Cytotoxicity and gene expression experiments were performed on SKOV‐3 and U87 cells. In both cell lines, CoNPs and NiNPs were definitely more toxic than FeNPs. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction experiments aimed to evaluate modifications of the expression of genes involved in the cellular stress response (HSP70, MT2A), or susceptible to metal exposure (SDHB1 and MLL), or involved in specific cellular processes (caspase3, IQSEC1 and VMP1), gave different response patterns in the two cell lines. HSP70, for example, was highly upregulated by CoNPs and NiNPs, but only in SKOV‐3 cell lines. Overall, this work underlines the difficulties in predicting NP toxicological properties based only on their chemical characteristics. We, consequently, think that, at this stage of our knowledge, biological effects induced by metal‐based NPs should be examined on a case‐by‐case basis following studies on different in vitro models. Moreover, with the only exception of U87 exposed to Ni, our results suggest that metallic NPs have caused, on gene expression, similar effects to those caused by their corresponding ions. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Applied Toxicology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. We have considered Fe, Co and Ni nanoparticles and studied their dissolution by radioactive tracer method and ICP‐MS. We have also performed cytotoxicity and gene expression experiments on two different cell lines. The obtained results convinced us that, at this stage of our knowledge, metal‐based nanoparticles should be examined on a case‐by‐case basis on different in vitro models. Moreover, our results suggest that metal‐based nanoparticles have caused similar effects to those caused by their corresponding ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba Gornati
- Department of Biotechnology and Life SciencesUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
- Interuniversity Center ‘The Protein Factory’, Politecnico di MilanoICRM‐CNR Milano and Università dell'InsubriaMilanItaly
| | - Elisa Pedretti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life SciencesUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Federica Rossi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life SciencesUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
| | | | | | | | | | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life SciencesUniversity of InsubriaVareseItaly
- Interuniversity Center ‘The Protein Factory’, Politecnico di MilanoICRM‐CNR Milano and Università dell'InsubriaMilanItaly
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8
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Claveau J, Monperrus M, Jarry M, Baudrimont M, Gonzalez P, Cavalheiro J, Mesmer-Dudons N, Bolliet V. Methylmercury effects on migratory behaviour in glass eels (Anguilla anguilla): an experimental study using isotopic tracers. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2015; 171:15-27. [PMID: 25797033 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2014] [Revised: 03/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The effect of methylmercury (MeHg) on glass eels' propensity to migrate, mitochondrial activity and antioxidative defence systems was investigated. Marine glass eels were first sorted in an experimental flume according to their response to dusk. Fish responding to the decrease in light intensity by ascending in the water column and moving with or against the flow were considered as having a high propensity to migrate (migrant). Glass eels still sheltering at the end of the 24 h catching period were considered as having a low propensity to migrate and were called non-migrant. Migrant and non-migrant glass eels were then individually tagged and exposed to isotopically enriched (201)MeHg (50 ng L(-1)) for 11 days. The effect of contamination was studied on muscle fibre structure, and the expression level of genes involved in mitochondrial activity and antioxidative defence systems. To investigate the effect of MeHg on glass eel behaviour, migrant and non-migrant glass eels were sorted again and the bioaccumulation of (201)MeHg and its demethylation product ((201)Hg(II)) were determined for each individual. MeHg exposure increased activity in non-migrant glass eels but not migratory behaviour. Contamination affected mitochondrial structure and metabolism and suggests a higher oxidative stress and activation of antioxidative defence systems in non-migrant glass eels. Overall, our results suggest that exposure to MeHg might induce an increase in energy expenditure and a higher vulnerability to predation in non-migrant glass eels in the wild.
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MESH Headings
- Anguilla/physiology
- Animal Migration/drug effects
- Animals
- Atlantic Ocean
- Biotransformation
- Energy Metabolism/drug effects
- France
- Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/drug effects
- Mercury Isotopes
- Methylmercury Compounds/metabolism
- Methylmercury Compounds/toxicity
- Mitochondria, Muscle/drug effects
- Mitochondria, Muscle/metabolism
- Mitochondria, Muscle/ultrastructure
- Models, Biological
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/drug effects
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/ultrastructure
- Oxidants/pharmacokinetics
- Oxidants/toxicity
- Oxidative Stress
- Oxidoreductases/chemistry
- Oxidoreductases/genetics
- Oxidoreductases/metabolism
- Phototrophic Processes/drug effects
- Tissue Distribution
- Toxicokinetics
- Water Pollutants, Chemical/metabolism
- Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Claveau
- INRA, UMR 1224 Ecobiop, Aquapôle, 64310 Saint Pée sur Nivelle, France; Université de Pau et des Pays de L'Adour, UMR 1224 Ecobiop, UFR Sciences et Techniques Côte Basque, Anglet, France.
| | - Mathilde Monperrus
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut Pluridisciplinaire de Recherche sur l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 CNRS, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Hélioparc Pau Pyrénées, 2 av. P. Angot, 64053 9 Pau cedex 9, France.
| | - Marc Jarry
- INRA, UMR 1224 Ecobiop, Aquapôle, 64310 Saint Pée sur Nivelle, France; Université de Pau et des Pays de L'Adour, UMR 1224 Ecobiop, UFR Sciences et Techniques Côte Basque, Anglet, France.
| | - Magalie Baudrimont
- Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5805 EPOC, Team Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Place du Dr Peyneau, 33120 Arcachon, France.
| | - Patrice Gonzalez
- Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5805 EPOC, Team Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Place du Dr Peyneau, 33120 Arcachon, France.
| | - Joana Cavalheiro
- Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, Institut Pluridisciplinaire de Recherche sur l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 CNRS, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Hélioparc Pau Pyrénées, 2 av. P. Angot, 64053 9 Pau cedex 9, France.
| | - Nathalie Mesmer-Dudons
- Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5805 EPOC, Team Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Place du Dr Peyneau, 33120 Arcachon, France.
| | - Valérie Bolliet
- INRA, UMR 1224 Ecobiop, Aquapôle, 64310 Saint Pée sur Nivelle, France; Université de Pau et des Pays de L'Adour, UMR 1224 Ecobiop, UFR Sciences et Techniques Côte Basque, Anglet, France.
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Llop S, Ballester F, Broberg K. Effect of Gene-Mercury Interactions on Mercury Toxicokinetics and Neurotoxicity. Curr Environ Health Rep 2015; 2:179-94. [DOI: 10.1007/s40572-015-0047-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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10
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Krey A, Ostertag SK, Chan HM. Assessment of neurotoxic effects of mercury in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), ringed seals (Pusa hispida), and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the Canadian Arctic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 509-510:237-247. [PMID: 24958011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.05.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2013] [Revised: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Marine mammals are indicator species of the Arctic ecosystem and an integral component of the traditional Inuit diet. The potential neurotoxic effects of increased mercury (Hg) in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), ringed seals (Pusa hispida), and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are not clear. We assessed the risk of Hg-associated neurotoxicity to these species by comparing their brain Hg concentrations with threshold concentrations for toxic endpoints detected in laboratory animals and field observations: clinical symptoms (>6.75 mg/kg wet weight (ww)), neuropathological signs (>4 mg/kg ww), neurochemical changes (>0.4 mg/kg ww), and neurobehavioral changes (>0.1mg/kg ww). The total Hg (THg) concentrations in the cerebellum and frontal lobe of ringed seals and polar bears were <0.5mg/kg ww, whereas the average concentration in beluga whale brain was >3mg/kg ww. Our results suggest that brain THg levels in polar bears are below levels that induce neurobehavioral effects as reported in the literature, while THg concentrations in ringed seals are within the range that elicit neurobehavioral effects and individual ringed seals exceed the threshold for neurochemical changes. The relatively high THg concentration in beluga whales exceeds all of the neurotoxicity thresholds assessed. High brain selenium (Se):Hg molar ratios were observed in all three species, suggesting that Se could protect the animals from Hg-associated neurotoxicity. This assessment was limited by several factors that influence neurotoxic effects in animals, including: animal species; form of Hg in the brain; and interactions with modifiers of Hg-associated toxicity, such as Se. Comparing brain Hg concentrations in wildlife with concentrations of appropriate laboratory studies can be used as a tool for risk characterization of the neurotoxic effects of Hg in Arctic marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Krey
- Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada.
| | - Sonja K Ostertag
- Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada.
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Center for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics, University of Ottawa, 20 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
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Kalisinska E, Gorecki J, Okonska A, Pilarczyk B, Tomza-Marciniak A, Budis H, Lanocha N, Kosik-Bogacka DI, Kavetska KM, Macherzynski M, Golas JM. Mercury and selenium in the muscle of piscivorous common mergansers (Mergus merganser) from a selenium-deficient European country. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2014; 101:107-15. [PMID: 24507135 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Although the relationship between mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) has been studied in wild birds in areas with sufficient or excessive Se levels, little is known about this relationship in areas where the supply of Se is limited. As Hg detoxification is based on the production of biologically inactive Hg-Se complexes, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the concentrations of total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), inorganic mercury (InHg=THg-MeHg), percent MeHg of THg, Se and molar ratios (THg:Se, MeHg:Se, InHg:Se) in the breast muscle (n=16) of the piscivorous common mergansers (Mergus merganser) from a Se-deficient and moderately Hg-polluted area in Poland. Mergansers were divided into two groups differing in condition (A-very good condition; C-moderate condition). Concentrations of THg, MeHg and Se were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, modified gas chromatography atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, and spectrofluorometric methods, respectively. In all studied mergansers, mean concentrations of THg, MeHg, InHg, and Se in muscle were 2.63, 1.92, 0.46, and 0.54µgg(-1)dw, respectively. THg and MeHg concentrations in the muscle of group A mergansers were greater than in group C. The ratio of THg:Se was higher in group A than in group C (2.32 vs 1.36; p<0.01), as well as the molar ratio of MeHg:Se (A vs C: 1.98 vs 1.03; p<0.05). Comparisons between mergansers from Poland and Canada showed similar THg and percent MeHg in the muscle, but mergansers from Poland had several times lower Se levels and higher THg:Se ratios (>2.0) than the Canadian mergansers and other European and North American waterbirds. We found statistically significant positive correlations (MeHg-THg, percent MeHg/THg-MeHg, percent InHg/THg-InHg, THg:Se-THg, MeHg:Se-THg, THg:Se-MeHg, MeHg:Se-MeHg, InHg:Se-InHg, MeHg:Se-THg:Se) and some negative correlations (percent InHg/THg-MeHg, percent MeHg/THg-InHg, THg:Se-Se, MeHg:Se-Se). As THg and percent MeHg in the studied mergansers were similar to populations living in non-Se-deficient areas, it is likely that different mechanisms of muscle Hg detoxification have evolved in mergansers populations living in Se-deficient areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elzbieta Kalisinska
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstancow Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Jerzy Gorecki
- Department of Coal Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Okonska
- Department of Coal Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Bogumila Pilarczyk
- Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Doktora Judyma 10, 71-466 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Tomza-Marciniak
- Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Doktora Judyma 10, 71-466 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Halina Budis
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstancow Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Natalia Lanocha
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstancow Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Danuta I Kosik-Bogacka
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstancow Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna M Kavetska
- Laboratory of Biology and Ecology of Parasites, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Doktora Judyma 10, 71-466 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Mariusz Macherzynski
- Department of Coal Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Janusz M Golas
- Department of Coal Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
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