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Shah S, Kim HS, Hong YC, Park H, Ha M, Kim Y, Lee JH, Ha EH. Infantile allergic diseases: a cohort study prenatal fish intake and mercury exposure context. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:568. [PMID: 38388869 PMCID: PMC10885545 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18008-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergic diseases (ADs) have been increasingly reported in infants and children over the last decade. Diet, especially the inclusion of fish intake, may help to lower the risk of ADs. However, fish also, can bioaccumulate environmental contaminants such as mercury. Hence, our study aims to determine what effects the type and frequency of fish intake have on ADs in six-month-old infants, independently and jointly with mercury exposure. METHODS This study is part of the prospective birth cohort: Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study in South Korea. Data was collected on prenatal fish intake, prenatal mercury concentration and ADs for infants aged six months for 590 eligible mother-infant pairs. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the risk of prenatal fish intake and mercury concentration on ADs in infants. Finally, interaction between fish intake and mercury concentration affecting ADs in infants was evaluated. Hazard ratios of prenatal fish intake on ADs in 6 month old infants were calculated by prenatal mercury exposure. RESULTS Logistic regression analysis showed that white fish (OR: 0.53; 95% CI 0.30-0.94; P < 0.05) intake frequency, once a week significantly decreased the risk of ADs in infants. Stratification analysis showed that consuming white fish once a week significantly reduced the hazard of ADs (HR: 0.44; 95% CI 0.21-0.92; P < 0.05) in infants in the high-mercury (≥ 50th percentile) exposure group. CONCLUSION The result indicates that prenatal white fish intake at least once a week reduces the risk of ADs in infants, especially in the group with high prenatal mercury exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surabhi Shah
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, 808-1, Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, 07804, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Soon Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, 808-1, Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, 07804, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyesook Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- System Health & Engineering Major in Graduate School (BK21 Plus Program), Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mina Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yangho Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyen Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, 808-1, Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, 07804, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eun-Hee Ha
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, 808-1, Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, 07804, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- System Health & Engineering Major in Graduate School (BK21 Plus Program), Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Wang J, Yin Y, Zhang Q, Deng X, Miao Z, Xu S. HgCl 2 exposure mediates pyroptosis of HD11 cells and promotes M1 polarization and the release of inflammatory factors through ROS/Nrf2/NLRP3. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2024; 269:115779. [PMID: 38056124 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a serious metal environmental pollutant. HgCl2 exposure causes pyroptosis. When macrophages are severely stimulated, they often undergo M1 polarization and release inflammatory factors. However, the mechanisms by which mercuric chloride exposure induces macrophage apoptosis, M1 polarization, and inflammatory factors remain unclear. HD11 cells were exposed to different concentrations of Hg chloride (180, 210 and 240 nM HgCl2). The results showed that mercury chloride exposure up-regulated ROS, C-Nrf2 and its downstream factors (NQO1 and HO-1), and down-regulated N-Nrf2. In addition, the expressions of focal death-related indicators (Caspase-1, NLRP3, GSDMD, etc.), M1 polarization marker CD86 and inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β) increased, and the above changes were related to mercury. Oxidative stress inhibitor (NAC) can block ROS/ NrF2-mediated oxidative stress, inhibit mercury-induced pyroptosis and M1 polarization, and effectively reduce the release of inflammatory factors. The addition of Vx-765 to inhibit pyroptosis can effectively alleviate M1 polarization of HD11 cells and reduce the expression of inflammatory factors. HgCl2 mediates pyroptosis of HD11 cells by regulating ROS/Nrf2/NLRP3, promoting M1 polarization and the release of inflammatory factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Yilin Yin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Qirui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Xinrui Deng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Zhiruo Miao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
| | - Shiwen Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
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de Paula HK, Love TM, Pineda D, Watson GE, Thurston SW, Yeates AJ, Mulhern MS, McSorley EM, Strain JJ, Shamlaye CF, Myers GJ, Rand MD, van Wijngaarden E, Broberg K. KEAP1 polymorphisms and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with exposure to prenatal MeHg from the Seychelles Child Development Study Nutrition Cohort 2. Neurotoxicology 2023; 99:177-183. [PMID: 37858899 PMCID: PMC10841683 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humans differ in the metabolism of the neurotoxicant methyl mercury (MeHg). This variation may be partially due to variation in genes encoding the transcription factor Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and its negative regulator Kelch-like ECH-Associated Protein 1 (KEAP1), which regulate glutathione and related transporter and antioxidant proteins that play a role in the metabolism and neurotoxicity of MeHg. AIM To elucidate a potential risk from genetic variation in NFE2L2 (encoding NRF2) and KEAP1 toward prenatal mercury exposure and child neurodevelopmental outcomes at 20 months and 7 years of age in a population with variable prenatal exposure to MeHg from maternal fish consumption. MATERIAL AND METHODS Nutrition Cohort 2 is a mother-child cohort in the Republic of Seychelles. Children were genotyped for NFE2L2 (rs2364723, rs13001694) and KEAP1 (rs8113472, rs9676881) polymorphisms (N = 1285 after removing siblings). Total mercury (Hg) was measured in cord blood as a biomarker for prenatal MeHg exposure. Child neurodevelopmental outcomes included the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II administered at 20 months of age, and outcomes across multiple neurodevelopmental domains from 14 tests administered in children and 3 instruments completed by parents when children were 7 years of age. RESULTS The mean cord blood MeHg concentration was 34 (95% CI 11, 75) µg/L. None of the four polymorphisms had a significant association (p < 0.05) with either cord MeHg or neurodevelopmental test results at 20 months. There were no significant associations between either NFE2L2 polymorphism and any developmental test scores. At 7 years, children carrying KEAP1 rs8113472 CA showed significantly worse performance on psychomotor function than children with the CC variant (finger tapping, dominant hand: β - 1.19, SE 0.34; finger tapping, non-dominant hand: β - 0.92, SE 0.31) and worse social communication (SCQ Total: β 0.65, SE 0.27). Children carrying rs8113472 AA, versus children with CC, showed significantly better performance on social communication (SRS Total: β - 8.88, SE 3.60). Children carrying KEAP1 rs9676881 AG, versus children with GG, showed significantly worse performance on psychomotor function (trailmaking A time: β 8.66, SE 3.37) and cognition (KBIT Matrices: β - 0.96, SE 0.36). CONCLUSION No associations between NFE2L2 and KEAP1 polymorphisms and MeHg concentration were identified. However, at 7 years, KEAP1 polymorphisms were associated with differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes in children from a population with high fish intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Korres de Paula
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund 22185, Sweden
| | - Tanzy M Love
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
| | - Daniela Pineda
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund 22185, Sweden
| | - Gene E Watson
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Sally W Thurston
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Alison J Yeates
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Co. Londonderry, UK
| | - Maria S Mulhern
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Co. Londonderry, UK
| | - Emeir M McSorley
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Co. Londonderry, UK
| | - J J Strain
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Co. Londonderry, UK
| | | | - G J Myers
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Matthew D Rand
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Edwin van Wijngaarden
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Karin Broberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund 22185, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Metals and Health, P.O. Box 210, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
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Ting S, Nguyen J, Palmer A, Rosemary Nixon AM. Contact sensitisation in oral lichen planus: An Australian perspective. Contact Dermatitis 2023; 89:335-344. [PMID: 37311568 DOI: 10.1111/cod.14366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of contact sensitisation in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP) has not been clearly defined. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate relevant contact sensitisers in OLP. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on OLP patients who underwent patch testing from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2020 at an Australian tertiary dermatology institution, compared to cheilitis patients patch tested over the same time period. RESULTS Ninety-six OLP patients and 152 cheilitis patients were patch tested during the 15-year period. Seventy-one (73.9%) OLP patients and 100 (65.8%) cheilitis patients recorded one or more relevant reactions. Forty-three (44.8%), 22 (22.9%), 21 (21.9%) and 17 (17.7%) OLP patients had relevant reactions to mercury-related chemicals, amalgam, spearmint and carvone, respectively, compared to 6 (3.9%), 3 (2.0%), 4 (2.6%) and 0 (0%) cheilitis patients, respectively (p-value <0.001 each). Four (4.2%) OLP patients had relevant positive reactions to sodium metabisulfite, compared to none in the cheilitis group (p-value 0.021). CONCLUSION While dental amalgam is used less frequently these days, we report that mercury (found in amalgam) and additionally spearmint and carvone are relevant sensitisers in OLP in Australia. Sodium metabisulfite may also be a relevant sensitiser in OLP, which has not previously been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarajane Ting
- Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre, Skin Health Institute, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Nguyen
- Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre, Skin Health Institute, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amanda Palmer
- Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre, Skin Health Institute, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - A M Rosemary Nixon
- Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre, Skin Health Institute, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
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Miyazaki J, Ikehara S, Tanigawa K, Kimura T, Ueda K, Ozono K, Kimura T, Kobayashi Y, Yamazaki S, Kamijima M, Sobue T, Iso H. Prenatal exposure to selenium, mercury, and manganese during pregnancy and allergic diseases in early childhood: The Japan Environment and Children's study. Environ Int 2023; 179:108123. [PMID: 37595534 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to metallic elements may adversely affect early childhood health. However, more evidence is needed as population-based cohort studies are currently limited. OBJECTIVES We aimed to examine the associations between prenatal metallic (mercury, selenium, and manganese) exposure and the risk of allergic diseases in early childhood until three years of age. METHODS The data from 94,794 mother-infant pairs, who participated in the Japan Environment and Children's study, were used in this study. Prenatal metallic element exposure was measured in maternal blood collected during mid-pregnancy. The incidence of atopic dermatitis, food allergies, asthma, and allergic rhinitis during the first three years of life was prospectively investigated using self-reports of physician-diagnosed allergies. A multivariable modified Poisson regression model was used to estimate the cumulative incidence ratio and their 95% confidence intervals of allergic diseases associated with prenatal exposure to mercury, selenium, and manganese. We further evaluated the interaction between mercury and selenium exposures in this association. RESULTS We confirmed 26,238 cases of childhood allergic diseases: atopic dermatitis, food allergies, asthma, and allergic rhinitis in 9,715 (10.3%), 10,897 (11.5%), and 9,857 (10.4%), 4,630 (4.9%), respectively. No association was found between prenatal mercury or manganese exposure and the risk of allergic diseases. Prenatal selenium exposure was inversely associated with atopic dermatitis, food allergies, allergic rhinitis, and any allergic diseases, but not with asthma. These inverse associations were more pronounced for lower mercury exposures than for higher exposures. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that prenatal exposure to selenium may be beneficial for reducing the risk of atopic dermatitis, food allergies, allergic rhinitis, and any allergic diseases in early childhood, especially with lower prenatal mercury exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junji Miyazaki
- Division of Environmental Medicine and Population Sciences, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Osaka Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), Osaka University, 1-3, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35, Shinano-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Satoyo Ikehara
- Division of Environmental Medicine and Population Sciences, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Osaka Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), Osaka University, 1-3, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kanami Tanigawa
- Division of Environmental Medicine and Population Sciences, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Osaka Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), Osaka University, 1-3, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Osaka Maternal and Child Health Information Center, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, 840, Murodo-cho, Izumi-shi, Osaka 594-1101, Japan
| | - Takashi Kimura
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 15, West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-8638, Japan
| | - Kimiko Ueda
- Division of Environmental Medicine and Population Sciences, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Osaka Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), Osaka University, 1-3, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Faculty of Health and Well-being, Kansai University, 1-11-1 Kaorigaoka-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 590-8515, Japan
| | - Keiichi Ozono
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tadashi Kimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yayoi Kobayashi
- Japan Environment and Children's Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2, Onogawa, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
| | - Shin Yamazaki
- Japan Environment and Children's Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2, Onogawa, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
| | - Michihiro Kamijima
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1, Kawasumi, Mizuho-Cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Tomotaka Sobue
- Division of Environmental Medicine and Population Sciences, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Osaka Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), Osaka University, 1-3, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Iso
- Osaka Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), Osaka University, 1-3, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Institute for Global Health Policy Research, Bureau of International Health Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan.
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Arrifano GDP, Augusto-Oliveira M, Lopes-Araújo A, Santos-Sacramento L, Macchi BM, do Nascimento JLM, Crespo-Lopez ME. Global Human Threat: The Potential Synergism between Mercury Intoxication and COVID-19. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:ijerph20054207. [PMID: 36901217 PMCID: PMC10001942 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic affected billions of people worldwide, and exposure to toxic metals has emerged as an important risk factor for COVID-19 severity. Mercury is currently ranked as the third toxic substance of global concern for human health, and its emissions to the atmosphere have increased globally. Both COVID-19 and mercury exposure present a high prevalence in similar regions: East and Southeast Asia, South America and Sub-Saharan Africa. Since both factors represent a multiorgan threat, a possible synergism could be exacerbating health injuries. Here, we discuss key aspects in mercury intoxication and SARS-CoV-2 infection, describing the similarities shared in clinical manifestations (especially neurological and cardiovascular outcomes), molecular mechanisms (with a hypothesis in the renin-angiotensin system) and genetic susceptibility (mainly by apolipoprotein E, paraoxonase 1 and glutathione family genes). Literature gaps on epidemiological data are also highlighted, considering the coincident prevalence. Furthermore, based on the most recent evidence, we justify and propose a case study of the vulnerable populations of the Brazilian Amazon. An understanding of the possible adverse synergism between these two factors is crucial and urgent for developing future strategies for reducing disparities between developed and underdeveloped/developing countries and the proper management of their vulnerable populations, particularly considering the long-term sequelae of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela de Paula Arrifano
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Correspondence: (G.d.P.A.); (M.E.C.-L.)
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Letícia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Barbarella Matos Macchi
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Cellular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Martins do Nascimento
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Cellular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Correspondence: (G.d.P.A.); (M.E.C.-L.)
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Attiya N, Fattahi R, Amarouch MY, El-Haidani A, El Jaafari S, Filali-Zegzouti Y. Mercurial risk from dental amalgam use in a population of Moroccan dentists: A latent class regression approach. Int J Risk Saf Med 2023; 34:313-323. [PMID: 37355914 DOI: 10.3233/jrs-210052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dentists using dental amalgam are chronically exposed to low doses of elemental mercury. The complex toxico-kinetics of this systemic toxicant results in polymorphic and variable clinical phenotypes. In this context, adapted statistical methods are required to highlight potential adverse effects of occupational mercury exposure on dentists' health. OBJECTIVE The present study aims to analyze the distribution of self-reported subjective symptoms, commonly associated with chronic mercury poisoning, according to occupational mercury exposure in a population of Moroccan liberal dentists. METHODS In order to achieve the defined objectives, a three-step latent class regression was fitted. First a latent class analysis was performed to cluster the studied population according to their declared symptoms. Dentists were then classified in the defined latent classes based on their posterior probabilities. Finally, a logistic regression is fitted to identify predictors associated with the latent classes' membership. RESULTS The final obtained model showed acceptable calibration and discrimination. Its interpretation revealed that the increase of the frequency of amalgam use was associated with significant higher odds of belonging to the high risk latent class. CONCLUSIONS The present study represents an initial step towards the development of diagnosis model that predict clinical profiles according to occupational mercury exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nourdine Attiya
- B.A.S.E Laboratory, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco
- Cluster of Competence on Health & Environment, Moulay Ismail University/VLIR-UOS, Meknes, Morocco
| | - Rkia Fattahi
- B.A.S.E Laboratory, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco
- Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Errachidia, Morrocco
| | - Mohamed-Yassine Amarouch
- R.N.E Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
| | - Ahmed El-Haidani
- Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacognosy Team, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco
| | - Samir El Jaafari
- B.A.S.E Laboratory, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco
- Cluster of Competence on Health & Environment, Moulay Ismail University/VLIR-UOS, Meknes, Morocco
| | - Younes Filali-Zegzouti
- B.A.S.E Laboratory, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco
- Cluster of Competence on Health & Environment, Moulay Ismail University/VLIR-UOS, Meknes, Morocco
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Marrugo-Madrid S, Pinedo-Hernández J, Paternina-Uribe R, Marrugo-Negrete J, Díez S. Health risk assessment for human exposure to mercury species and arsenic via consumption of local food in a gold mining area in Colombia. Environ Res 2022; 215:113950. [PMID: 35952750 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The risk to human health from exposure to certain pollutants through the consumption of fruits, tubers, and fish were evaluated in a settlement located in a Colombian area highly impacted by gold mining activities. The concentrations of mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) in edible food tissues and methylmercury (MeHg) in fish were determined for risk assessment. A questionnaire-based dietary survey was answered by 178 residents of three population groups: children (CHD), women of childbearing age (WCBA), and the rest of the population (RP). The estimated weekly intake (EWI) of MeHg presented values of 1.9 and 2.4 times higher than the provisional tolerable weekly intake (1.6 μg/kg BW/week) recommended by the FAO/WHO for CH and WCBA, respectively. The results of the HQ values of As and Hg for different food were above the safety level (HQ < 1) for most of the groups. For Hg, the highest HQ values correspond to fish, whereas for As in most of the food, but specially in fruits. The total target hazard quotients (HI) were higher than 1, in all the groups (except for CHD that consume tubers) indicating potential non-carcinogenic health risks. The values of carcinogenic risk (CR) for As through exposure to food ranged from 1.2·10-4 to 7.7·10-4, well above than the safety level of US EPA risk (10-4-10-6), suggesting the probability of carcinogenic risk for the entire population via ingestion. Therefore, safety control mechanisms and environmental education strategies should be applied to address food intake, associated with good agricultural practices to provide solutions to protect the health of the residents in areas affected by gold mining activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siday Marrugo-Madrid
- Environmental Chemistry Department, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDÆA-CSIC, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain; University of Córdoba, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Water, Applied and Environmental Chemistry Group, Monteria, Colombia
| | - José Pinedo-Hernández
- University of Córdoba, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Water, Applied and Environmental Chemistry Group, Monteria, Colombia
| | - Roberth Paternina-Uribe
- University of Córdoba, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Water, Applied and Environmental Chemistry Group, Monteria, Colombia
| | - José Marrugo-Negrete
- University of Córdoba, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Water, Applied and Environmental Chemistry Group, Monteria, Colombia.
| | - Sergi Díez
- Environmental Chemistry Department, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDÆA-CSIC, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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Sarzo B, Ballester F, Soler-Blasco R, Lopez-Espinosa MJ, Lozano M, Iriarte G, Beneito A, Riutort-Mayol G, Murcia M, Llop S. Pre and postnatal exposure to mercury and sexual development in 9-year-old children in Spain: The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Environ Res 2022; 213:113620. [PMID: 35697081 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Early exposure to mercury has been related to endocrine disruption. Steroid hormones play a crucial role in neural cell migration, differentiation, etc., as well as protecting against several neurotoxic compounds. We investigate the relation between mercury exposure and children's sexual development, and we evaluate the possible influence of different brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphisms on this association. Our study sample comprised 412 9-year-old children participating in the INMA cohort (2004-2015). Mercury concentrations were measured at birth (cord blood) and at 4 and 9 years of age (hair). Sexual development was assessed by levels of sex steroid hormones (estradiol and testosterone) in saliva and the Tanner stages of sex development at 9 years (categorized as 1: prepuberty and >1: pubertal onset). Covariates and confounders were collected through questionnaires during pregnancy and childhood. Polymorphisms in the BDNF gene were genotyped in cord blood DNA. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed between mercury levels and children's sexual development by sex. Effect modification by genetic polymorphisms and fish intake was assessed. We found marginally significant inverse associations between postnatal exposure to mercury (at 9 years) and testosterone levels (β[95%CI] = -0.16[-0.33,0.001], and -0.20[-0.42,0.03], for boys and girls, respectively). Additionally, we found that prenatal mercury was negatively associated with Tanner stage >1 in boys. Finally, we found significant genetic interactions for some single nucleotide polymorphisms in the BDNF gene. In conclusion, pre and postnatal exposure to mercury seems to affect children's sexual development and BDNF may play a role in this association, but further research would be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Sarzo
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Department of Microbiology and Ecology, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ferran Ballester
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Raquel Soler-Blasco
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Manuel Lozano
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gorka Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Salud Pública, Vitoria Gasteiz, Alava, Spain
| | - Andrea Beneito
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gabriel Riutort-Mayol
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, Spain
| | - Mario Murcia
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Health Information Systems Analysis Service, Conselleria de Sanitat, Generalitat Valenciana, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Schmalz G, Widbiller M. Biocompatibility of Amalgam vs Composite - A Review. Oral Health Prev Dent 2022; 20:149-156. [PMID: 35308016 DOI: 10.3290/j.ohpd.b2831749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Minamata Convention resulted in restrictions in the use of amalgam in daily dental practice. This opens up new discussions about the biocompatibility of amalgam, but also of composites as alternative materials. In the following review article, these issues will be discussed in more detail to provide dentists with a knowledge base for themselves and for communication with their patients. In addition to mercury in amalgam or monomers in composites, bisphenol A and nanoparticles generated during the grinding, polishing or removal of restorations must also be included in the biocompatibility evaluation. In laboratory tests, these substances cause toxic reactions, and bisphenol A also exhibits estrogen-like effects. However, it must be taken into account that the concentrations used in laboratory tests are much higher than in clinical practice. Thus, both amalgam and composite can be used in the general population. Nevertheless, for scientifically, politically and legally defined risk groups (e.g. dental personnel, allergic persons, pregnant or lactating women, children under 15 years of age, people with certain systemic diseases), indication restrictions and precautionary measures must be observed. The well-known amalgam discussion has taught us the importance of thorough and open risk communication with the patient.
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Paduraru E, Iacob D, Rarinca V, Rusu A, Jijie R, Ilie OD, Ciobica A, Nicoara M, Doroftei B. Comprehensive Review Regarding Mercury Poisoning and Its Complex Involvement in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23041992. [PMID: 35216107 PMCID: PMC8879904 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23041992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is considered one of the most widespread toxic environmental pollutants, which seems to have multiple effects on organisms even at low concentrations. It has a critical role in many health problems with harmful consequences, with Hg primarily targeting the brain and its components, such as the central nervous system (CNS). Hg exposure was associated with numerous CNS disorders that frequently trigger Alzheimer's disease (AD). Patients with AD have higher concentrations of Hg in blood and brain tissue. This paper aims to emphasize a correlation between Hg and AD based on the known literature in the occupational field. The outcome shows that all these concerning elements could get attributed to Hg. However, recent studies did not investigate the molecular level of Hg exposure in AD. The present review highlights the interactions between Hg and AD in neuronal degenerations, apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress (OS), mitochondrial malfunctions, gastrointestinal (GI) microflora, infertility and altering gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Paduraru
- Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania; (E.P.); (D.I.); (V.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Diana Iacob
- Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania; (E.P.); (D.I.); (V.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Viorica Rarinca
- Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania; (E.P.); (D.I.); (V.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Angelica Rusu
- Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania; (E.P.); (D.I.); (V.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Roxana Jijie
- Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Ovidiu-Dumitru Ilie
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
- Correspondence: (O.-D.I.); (M.N.)
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
- Center of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, No 8, Carol I Avenue, 700506 Iasi, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, No 54, Independence Street, Sector 5, 050094 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mircea Nicoara
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
- Correspondence: (O.-D.I.); (M.N.)
| | - Bogdan Doroftei
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa, No 16, University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
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Ghorbani Nejad B, Raeisi T, Janmohammadi P, Mehravar F, Zarei M, Dehghani A, Bahrampour N, Darijani MH, Ahmadipour F, Mohajeri M, Alizadeh S. Mercury Exposure and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Clin Pract 2022; 2022:7640227. [PMID: 36101810 PMCID: PMC9463027 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7640227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
METHODS Scopus and PubMed databases were systematically searched from their inception to November 2021 to obtain pertinent studies. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the difference in Hg levels between people with and without T2DM. The association of the Hg exposure with T2DM was assessed using a random-effects model by pooling the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. RESULTS A total of 17 studies, with 42,917 participants, aged ≥18 years, were analyzed. Overall, Hg levels were significantly higher in T2DM patients compared with non-T2DM controls (SMD = 1.07; 95%CI = 0.59 to 1.55, P ≤ 0.001), with significant heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 96.1%; P=≤0.001). No significant association was found between Hg exposure and risk of T2DM in the overall analysis and subgroup analysis based on the source of sample and study design. However, higher exposure to Hg was related to reduced risk of T2DM in men (OR = 0.71; 95%CI = 0.57 to 0.88), but not in women. No significant evidence for publication bias was detected. CONCLUSIONS Although the Hg level in T2DM is significantly higher than that of nondiabetics, there was no association between Hg exposure and the overall risk of T2DM. Nevertheless, our study shows that higher exposure to Hg might reduce the risk of T2DM in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Ghorbani Nejad
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman Medical University, Kerman, Iran
| | - Tahereh Raeisi
- Department of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Parisa Janmohammadi
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mehravar
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahtab Zarei
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azadeh Dehghani
- Nutrition Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Niki Bahrampour
- Department of Nutrition, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University (SRBIAU), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hosein Darijani
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman Medical University, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ahmadipour
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman Medical University, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mohajeri
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman Medical University, Kerman, Iran
| | - Shahab Alizadeh
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Sun Y, Liu B, Rong S, Zhang J, Du Y, Xu G, Snetselaar LG, Wallace RB, Lehmler HJ, Bao W. Association of Seafood Consumption and Mercury Exposure With Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality Among US Adults. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2136367. [PMID: 34842923 PMCID: PMC8630568 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.36367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Although seafood is known to contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, many people choose to limit their seafood consumption because of fear of mercury exposure from seafood. It is imperative to clarify the potential health effects of current mercury exposure in contemporary populations. OBJECTIVE To examine the association of seafood consumption and mercury exposure with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality in the US general population. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This prospective cohort study included adults 20 years or older who participated in the 2003 to 2012 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; data were linked to mortality records through December 31, 2015. Data analysis was performed from January to March 10, 2021. EXPOSURES Seafood consumption was assessed through two 24-hour dietary recalls, and mercury exposure was assessed by blood mercury levels. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES All-cause and CVD-related mortality. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs of mortality associated with usual seafood consumption and blood mercury concentration quartiles. RESULTS This study included 17 294 participants (mean [SD] age, 45.9 [17.1] years; 9217 [53.3%] female) with a mean (SD) blood mercury concentration of 1.62 (2.46) μg/L. During 131 276 person-years of follow-up, 1076 deaths occurred, including 181 deaths from CVD. The multivariable-adjusted HR for an increase in seafood consumption of 1 oz equivalent per day and all-cause mortality was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.66-1.07) and for CVD-related mortality was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.54-1.47). Blood mercury level was not associated with all-cause or CVD-related mortality. Comparing the highest with the lowest quartile of blood mercury concentration, the multivariable-adjusted HRs were 0.82 (95% CI, 0.66-1.05) for all-cause mortality and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.53-1.52) for CVD-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study of US adults, seafood consumption and mercury exposure with the current seafood consumption level were not significantly associated with the risk of all-cause or CVD-related mortality. These findings may inform future public health guidelines regarding mercury exposure, seafood consumption, and cardiovascular health promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangbo Sun
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | - Buyun Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | - Shuang Rong
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Yang Du
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | - Guifeng Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | - Linda G. Snetselaar
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | - Robert B. Wallace
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | - Hans-Joachim Lehmler
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | - Wei Bao
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City
- Obesity Research and Education Initiative, University of Iowa, Iowa City
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City
- Now with Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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14
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Hemmativaghef E. Exposure to lead, mercury, styrene, and toluene and hearing impairment: evaluation of dose-response relationships, regulations, and controls. J Occup Environ Hyg 2020; 17:574-597. [PMID: 33275083 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2020.1842428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The risk of hearing loss from exposure to ototoxic chemicals is not reflected in occupational exposure limits and most jurisdictions. The aims of this research were to investigate dose-response relationships between exposure to lead, mercury, toluene, and styrene and hearing impairment based on current epidemiological evidence, conduct cross-jurisdictional comparisons, and investigate control measures for exposure to ototoxic chemicals. Ovid Medline and Ovid Embase databases were used to find relevant publications. A total of 86 epidemiological studies met the eligibility criteria for final evaluation. When significant associations between exposure and outcome were identified, exposure levels were evaluated to determine whether No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) and Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) could be identified. Cross-jurisdictional comparisons included the U.K., U.S., Canada, and Australia occupational health and safety legislations. The majority of lead (75%), styrene (74%), and toluene (77%) studies showed significantly increased risks of hearing loss from exposure to these substances, although numerous studies on toluene (70%) and styrene (16%) compared auditory function between "solvent mixture" or "noise and solvent mixture" exposed groups and controls and not necessarily on groups exposed to a single agent. Based on five studies, blood lead ranges of 1-1.99 μg/dL to 2.148-2.822 μg/dL were identified as NOAELs while blood lead levels of 2 μg/dL up to 2.823-26.507 μg/dL were identified as LOAELs for hearing loss. Except for general duty clauses, the U.S., Canadian, and Australian jurisdictions have set no enforceable regulations specific to ototoxic chemical exposures. A biological exposure index of 2 μg/dL is recommended for prevention of hearing impairment from lead exposure. Based on Safe Work Australia, noise exposure limits may be reduced to 80 dB(A) for 8 hr. Other recommendations include performing audiometric testing and controlling exposure through all routes of entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Hemmativaghef
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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15
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Gerlich HS, Holmstrup M, Bjerregaard P, Slotsbo S. Mercury (Hg 2+) interferes with physiological adaptations to freezing in the arctic earthworm Enchytraeus albidus. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2020; 204:111005. [PMID: 32738624 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Freezing temperatures is an important stressor in the arctic regions and has a significant influence on the population dynamics and geographic distribution of terrestrial invertebrates. Toxic metals in the environment can interfere with protective cold-acclimation responses of organisms. It is therefore important to evaluate the combined effects of cold stress and environmental contaminants. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of Hg (HgCl2) on various physiological aspects of freeze-tolerance in the earthworm (Enchytraeus albidus). We measured the levels of the cryoprotectant glucose, the glycogen content (source of glucose molecules for cryoprotection and fuel for metabolism), and changes in the composition of membrane phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) as an indicator of lipid peroxidation. Freezing at -6 °C had no effect on survival in uncontaminated soil, however, survival of freezing in Hg contaminated soil was clearly reduced, especially at extended exposure times. Thus, the LC50 value in frozen soil decreased from 8.3 mg Hg kg-1 (when exposed for 17 days) to only 4.2 mg Hg kg-1 after 36 days' exposure indicating that combined effects of Hg and freezing became larger at prolonged exposure times. Hg caused a depletion of glycogen reserves (almost 50% at 12 mg kg-1 dry soil), but despite this effect worms were able to maintain a constant cryoprotectant level (about 0.12 mg glucose mg-1 dry weight) at all Hg concentrations. Hg had clear negative effects on the proportion of unsaturated PLFAs, which could be an indication of lipid peroxidation. Since a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in the membrane is important for invertebrate freeze-tolerance, our results suggest that the negative effect of Hg on freeze-tolerance in E. albidus is related to degraded membrane functionality at low temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Sørine Gerlich
- Section of Terrestrial Ecology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, DK-8600, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Martin Holmstrup
- Section of Terrestrial Ecology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, DK-8600, Silkeborg, Denmark.
| | - Poul Bjerregaard
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230, Denmark
| | - Stine Slotsbo
- Section of Terrestrial Ecology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, DK-8600, Silkeborg, Denmark
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Skalny AV, Lima TRR, Ke T, Zhou JC, Bornhorst J, Alekseenko SI, Aaseth J, Anesti O, Sarigiannis DA, Tsatsakis A, Aschner M, Tinkov AA. Toxic metal exposure as a possible risk factor for COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 146:111809. [PMID: 33069759 PMCID: PMC7563920 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Multiple medical, lifestyle, and environmental conditions, including smoking and particulate pollution, have been considered as risk factors for COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) susceptibility and severity. Taking into account the high level of toxic metals in both particulate matter (PM2.5) and tobacco smoke, the objective of this review is to discuss recent data on the role of heavy metal exposure in development of respiratory dysfunction, immunotoxicity, and severity of viral diseases in epidemiological and experimental studies, as to demonstrate the potential crossroads between heavy metal exposure and COVID-19 severity risk. The existing data demonstrate that As, Cd, Hg, and Pb exposure is associated with respiratory dysfunction and respiratory diseases (COPD, bronchitis). These observations corroborate laboratory findings on the role of heavy metal exposure in impaired mucociliary clearance, reduced barrier function, airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. The association between heavy metal exposure and severity of viral diseases, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus has been also demonstrated. The latter may be considered a consequence of adverse effects of metal exposure on adaptive immunity. Therefore, reduction of toxic metal exposure may be considered as a potential tool for reducing susceptibility and severity of viral diseases affecting the respiratory system, including COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoly V Skalny
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agro-technologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia.
| | - Thania Rios Rossi Lima
- São Paulo State University - UNESP, Center for Evaluation of Environmental Impact on Human Health (TOXICAM), Botucatu, SP, Brazil; Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Tao Ke
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Ji-Chang Zhou
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Julia Bornhorst
- Food Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Svetlana I Alekseenko
- I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia; K.A. Rauhfus Children's City Multidisciplinary Clinical Center for High Medical Technologies, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Jan Aaseth
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Ourania Anesti
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, Heraklion, Crete, Greece; HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thermi, Greece
| | - Dimosthenis A Sarigiannis
- HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thermi, Greece; University School of Advanced Studies IUSS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Aristides Tsatsakis
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Michael Aschner
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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17
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Suhelmi R, Amqam H, Thaha RM, Mallongi A, Daud A, Ishaq H. The relationship of mercury exposure with neurological problems in artisanal gold in Makassar city. Rev Environ Health 2020; 35:265-269. [PMID: 32712592 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Objectives This research aims to analyse the relationship between urine mercury levels and neurological problems. Methods This research is an observational study with a cross-sectional approach. There are 44 goldsmiths in the gold jewellery small scale industry involved in this study. Urine mercury levels were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Neurological problems were assessed by a medician. Data collected includes age, time of exposure, work duration, smoking behaviour and nutrition status of the goldsmiths which were obtained by interview. Results The results showed that the concentration of mercury in the goldsmith's urine was around 0.93-64.59 μg/L. The analysis showed that there were 63% of goldsmiths experiencing neurological problems, such as tremors (9.1%) and knee pass reflex (6.8%). The bivariate analysis showed that there is no significant relationship between the concentration of mercury (p=0.133), age (p=0.155), time of exposure (p=0.702), time of working (p=0.354), smoking behaviour (p=0.169) and nutrition status (p=0.541) with neurological problems. Conclusions The goldsmiths who had high levels of mercury in urine samples were diagnosed with at least one of the neurological symptoms. It is recommended that the goldsmith use personal protective equipment during work such as mask, glasses and gloves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reni Suhelmi
- Environmental Health Department of Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda, Indonesia
| | - Hasnawati Amqam
- Environmental Health Department, Public Health, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Ridwan M Thaha
- Health Promotion and Behavioral Science Department, Public Health, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Anwar Mallongi
- Environmental Health Department, Public Health, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Anwar Daud
- Environmental Health Department, Public Health, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Hasanuddin Ishaq
- Environmental Health Department, Public Health, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia
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Galappaththi HKA, Suraweera I. Risk of Mercury exposure during childhood: a review of Sri Lankan situation. Rev Environ Health 2020; 35:229-232. [PMID: 32619196 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Sri Lanka had ratified the Minamata convention in the year 2017 and is planning to phase out Mercury by 2020. Mercury thermometers and compact fluorescent light bulbs are abundant at hospitals, households and schools. Limitations in safe disposal and containment mechanisms have enhanced the unregulated e-waste collection and extraction. Sri Lanka has plentiful lagoons, fishing bays, and inland irrigation systems. Fish consumption is high, especially around the coastal belt. Mercury can bioaccumulate in humans by the consumption of fish from contaminated sources. Children are at risk of exposure in their living environments and via food. A multicountry study done across three oceans on Mercury threat to women & children revealed, lagoon pollution from industrial Mercury emissions in Sri Lanka, possessing high Mercury among local females who consume fish from that lagoon. The mean hair Mercury level in coastal areas with high fish consumption exceeded the reference dose even among children. Aquatic life and crop studies revealed a mixed picture of Mercury levels which some are lower and some are higher than the permissible levels. Studies on environmental Mercury levels and correlations with health effects among children will help to fill the data gap. Public awareness of the health effects of Mercury and mechanisms of Mercury disposal should be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himan K A Galappaththi
- Renal Disease Prevention & Research Unit, Ministry of Healthcare & Indigenous Medical Services, No: 385, Ven. Baddegama Wimalawansa Thero Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka
| | - Inoka Suraweera
- Environmental and Occupational Health Directorate, Ministry of Healthcare & Indigenous Medical Services, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Pyta H, Widziewicz-Rzońca K, Słaby K. Inhalation Exposure to Gaseous and Particulate Bound Mercury Present in the Ambient Air over the Polluted Area of Southern Poland. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17144999. [PMID: 32664556 PMCID: PMC7399863 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17144999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study concerns the concentrations of gaseous and particle-bound mercury present in ambient air of two Polish sites, differing in terms of emission structure, and the estimation of inhalation risks related to those Hg species. The measurements of total gaseous mercury (TGM) and PM2.5-bound mercury (PBM) were performed at an urban station in Zabrze and a rural station in Złoty Potok, in 2014–2015. Both sites are located in Silesia, considered one of the European air pollution hot-spots. TGM was measured on-line (Tekran 2537). PM2.5 samples were taken with the use of low volume samplers. Hg contents in PM were determined by the CVAAS method following thermal decomposition. The median concentrations of TGM and PBM in Zabrze were 2.48 ng m−3 and 37.87 pg m−3, respectively; meanwhile in Zloty Potok, these were 1.69 ng m−3 and 27.82 pg m−3, respectively. Clearly, seasonal variability of TGM and PBM concentrations were observed, reflecting the importance of Hg and PM emissions from coal combustion for power and heating purposes. Health risk assessment was performed using a deterministic approach by the most conservative exposure scenario. The obtained HQ ratios and the cumulative HI indexes were below the limit value (<1). This means an unlikely health hazard due mercury inhalation.
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Attiya N, Fattahi R, El-Haidani A, Lahrach N, Amarouch MY, Filali-Zegzouti Y. [Mercury exposure and dentists' health status in two regions of centrall Morocco: descriptive cross-sectional survey]. Pan Afr Med J 2020; 36:110. [PMID: 32821321 PMCID: PMC7406463 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2020.36.110.19623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION mercury exposure is recognized as a worldwide public health concern. However, the effect of long-term exposure to low-doses of this heavy metal is still subject to debate. Due to the use of mercury in dental amalgam, dental health care professionals are chronically exposed to low-doses of this metal. In this context, we have conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey among liberal dentists in two regions of the center of Morocco. In parallel, the global health status of participants was investigated to assess the relevance of a subsequent etiological survey. METHODS data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire. Occupational exposure of dentists to mercury was evaluated based on their use of dental amalgam. Moreover, the other common factors increasing the background pollution or inducing exposure peaks were also investigated. On the other hand, smoking, vaccination, fish consumption, and the number of dental amalgam in mouth were considered as non-occupational exposure sources. Finally, the self-reported global health problems of participants were collected. RESULTS 192 dentists were included in the present study. Seventy-six percent (76.04%) of them declared using dental amalgam in their practice. Moreover, the presence of dental amalgam in mouth was identified as the main non-occupational source of exposure to mercury (63.45% of participants). Finally, most of participants (46.35%) have expressed neuropsychological complaints. CONCLUSION altogether, our results revealed a real mercury exposure in the studied population. Thus, effective preventive measures should be promoted to minimize the mercury exposure in dental offices. Moreover, an etiological study will be of great interest to reveal the impact of mercury exposure in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nourdine Attiya
- Laboratoire Bioactifs, Santé et Environnement, Université Moulay Ismaïl, Meknès, Maroc
| | - Rkia Fattahi
- Laboratoire Bioactifs, Santé et Environnement, Université Moulay Ismaïl, Meknès, Maroc
- Institut Supérieur des Professions Infirmières et Techniques de Santé, Errachidia, Maroc
| | - Ahmed El-Haidani
- Equipe Ethnopharmacologie et Pharmacognosie, Faculté des Sciences et Technique Errachidia, Université Moulay Ismaïl, Maroc
| | - Nadia Lahrach
- Equipe Ethnopharmacologie et Pharmacognosie, Faculté des Sciences et Technique Errachidia, Université Moulay Ismaïl, Maroc
| | - Mohamed-Yassine Amarouch
- Laboratoire Ressources Naturelles et Environnement, Faculté Polydisciplinaire de Taza, Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah de Fès, Fès, Maroc
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Segal TR, Giudice LC. Before the beginning: environmental exposures and reproductive and obstetrical outcomes. Fertil Steril 2020; 112:613-621. [PMID: 31561863 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
There is growing consensus that preconception exposure to environmental toxins can adversely affect fertility, pregnancy, and fetal development, which may persist into the neonatal and adult periods and potentially have multigenerational effects. Here we review current data on preconception and prenatal exposure to several chemicals, including heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pesticides, and air pollution, and their associated obstetrical and reproductive health effects. Reproductive endocrinologists and affiliated health care providers have a unique opportunity to counsel patients before they get pregnant to minimize exposure to hazardous chemicals with the goal to improve reproductive outcomes and assure a healthy lifestyle overall. We provide practical tools and some publicly available resources for reproductive health professionals to assess a patient's risks and ways to reduce chemical and air pollution exposures during the critical preconception and prenatal periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thalia R Segal
- Center for Reproductive Health, University of California, San Francisco, California.
| | - Linda C Giudice
- Center for Reproductive Health, University of California, San Francisco, California
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Stratakis N, Conti DV, Borras E, Sabido E, Roumeliotaki T, Papadopoulou E, Agier L, Basagana X, Bustamante M, Casas M, Farzan SF, Fossati S, Gonzalez JR, Grazuleviciene R, Heude B, Maitre L, McEachan RRC, Theologidis I, Urquiza J, Vafeiadi M, West J, Wright J, McConnell R, Brantsaeter AL, Meltzer HM, Vrijheid M, Chatzi L. Association of Fish Consumption and Mercury Exposure During Pregnancy With Metabolic Health and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Children. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e201007. [PMID: 32176304 PMCID: PMC7076335 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.1007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance The balance of mercury risk and nutritional benefit from fish intake during pregnancy for the metabolic health of offspring to date is unknown. Objective To assess the associations of fish intake and mercury exposure during pregnancy with metabolic syndrome in children and alterations in biomarkers of inflammation in children. Design, Setting, and Participants This population-based prospective birth cohort study used data from studies performed in 5 European countries (France, Greece, Norway, Spain, and the UK) between April 1, 2003, and February 26, 2016, as part of the Human Early Life Exposome (HELIX) project. Mothers and their singleton offspring were followed up until the children were aged 6 to 12 years. Data were analyzed between March 1 and August 2, 2019. Exposures Maternal fish intake during pregnancy (measured in times per week) was assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires, and maternal mercury concentration (measured in micrograms per liter) was assessed using maternal whole blood and cord blood samples. Main Outcomes and Measures An aggregate metabolic syndrome score for children was calculated using the z scores of waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and levels of triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and insulin. A higher metabolic syndrome score (score range, -4.9 to 7.5) indicated a poorer metabolic profile. Three protein panels were used to measure several cytokines and adipokines in the plasma of children. Results The study included 805 mothers and their singleton children. Among mothers, the mean (SD) age at cohort inclusion or delivery of their infant was 31.3 (4.6) years. A total of 400 women (49.7%) had a high educational level, and 432 women (53.7%) were multiparous. Among children, the mean (SD) age was 8.4 (1.5) years (age range, 6-12 years). A total of 453 children (56.3%) were boys, and 734 children (91.2%) were of white race/ethnicity. Fish intake consistent with health recommendations (1 to 3 times per week) during pregnancy was associated with a 1-U decrease in metabolic syndrome score in children (β = -0.96; 95% CI, -1.49 to -0.42) compared with low fish consumption (<1 time per week) after adjusting for maternal mercury levels and other covariates. No further benefit was observed with fish intake of more than 3 times per week. A higher maternal mercury concentration was independently associated with an increase in the metabolic syndrome score of their offspring (β per 2-fold increase in mercury concentration = 0.18; 95% CI, 0.01-0.34). Compared with low fish intake, moderate and high fish intake during pregnancy were associated with reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines and adipokines in children. An integrated analysis identified a cluster of children with increased susceptibility to metabolic disease, which was characterized by low fish consumption during pregnancy, high maternal mercury levels, decreased levels of adiponectin in children, and increased levels of leptin, tumor necrosis factor α, and the cytokines interleukin 6 and interleukin 1β in children. Conclusions and Relevance Results of this study suggest that moderate fish intake consistent with current health recommendations during pregnancy was associated with improvements in the metabolic health of children, while high maternal mercury exposure was associated with an unfavorable metabolic profile in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Stratakis
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
- Department of Complex Genetics and Epidemiology, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - David V. Conti
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Eva Borras
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Proteomics Unit, Centre de Regulacio Genomica, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduardo Sabido
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Proteomics Unit, Centre de Regulacio Genomica, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Theano Roumeliotaki
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Eleni Papadopoulou
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lydiane Agier
- Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Inserm, CNRS, University Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, U1209 Joint Research Center, La Tronche, Grenoble, France
| | - Xavier Basagana
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariona Bustamante
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maribel Casas
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, Madrid, Spain
| | - Shohreh F. Farzan
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Serena Fossati
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan R. Gonzalez
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Barbara Heude
- Centre of Research in Epidemiology and Statistics, Inserm, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Universite de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Lea Maitre
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosemary R. C. McEachan
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Ioannis Theologidis
- Foundation for Research and Technology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Jose Urquiza
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina Vafeiadi
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Jane West
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - John Wright
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Rob McConnell
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Anne-Lise Brantsaeter
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Martine Vrijheid
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, Madrid, Spain
| | - Leda Chatzi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
- Department of Complex Genetics and Epidemiology, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Siblerud R, Mutter J, Moore E, Naumann J, Walach H. A Hypothesis and Evidence That Mercury May be an Etiological Factor in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:E5152. [PMID: 31861093 PMCID: PMC6950077 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16245152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mercury is one of the most toxic elements and causes a multitude of health problems. It is ten times more toxic to neurons than lead. This study was created to determine if mercury could be causing Alzheimer's disease (AD) by cross referencing the effects of mercury with 70 factors associated with AD. The results found that all these factors could be attributed to mercury. The hallmark changes in AD include plaques, beta amyloid protein, neurofibrillary tangles, phosphorylated tau protein, and memory loss-all changes that can be caused by mercury. Neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, and norepinephrine are inhibited in patients with Alzheimer's disease, with the same inhibition occurring in mercury toxicity. Enzyme dysfunction in patients with Alzheimer's disease include BACE 1, gamma secretase, cyclooxygenase-2, cytochrome-c-oxidase, protein kinases, monoamine oxidase, nitric oxide synthetase, acetyl choline transferase, and caspases, all which can be explained by mercury toxicity. Immune and inflammatory responses seen in patients with Alzheimer's disease also occur when cells are exposed to mercury, including complement activation, cytokine expression, production of glial fibrillary acid protein antibodies and interleukin-1, transforming growth factor, beta 2 microglobulins, and phosphodiesterase 4 stimulation. Genetic factors in patients with Alzheimer's disease are also associated with mercury. Apolipoprotein E 4 allele increases the toxicity of mercury. Mercury can inhibit DNA synthesis in the hippocampus, and has been associated with genetic mutations of presenilin 1 and 2, found in AD. The abnormalities of minerals and vitamins, specifically aluminum, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and vitamins B1, B12, E, and C, that occur in patients with Alzheimer's disease, also occur in mercury toxicity. Aluminum has been found to increase mercury's toxicity. Likewise, similar biochemical factors in AD are affected by mercury, including changes in blood levels of homocysteine, arachidonic acid, DHEA sulfate, glutathione, hydrogen peroxide, glycosamine glycans, acetyl-L carnitine, melatonin, and HDL. Other factors seen in Alzheimer's disease, such as increased platelet activation, poor odor identification, hypertension, depression, increased incidences of herpes virus and chlamydia infections, also occur in mercury exposure. In addition, patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease exhibit higher levels of brain mercury, blood mercury, and tissue mercury in some studies. The greatest exogenous sources of brain mercury come from dental amalgams. Conclusion: This review of the literature strongly suggests that mercury can be a cause of Alzheimer's Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Siblerud
- Rocky Mountain Research Institute, 9435 Olsen Court, Wellington, CO 80549, USA
| | | | - Elaine Moore
- Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO 80549 (Retired), USA;
| | - Johannes Naumann
- European Institute for Physical Therapy and Balneology, Stadtsr 7, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany;
| | - Harald Walach
- Department of Psychology, University Witten-Herdecke, 58455 Witten, Germany;
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Xiang H, Tao Y, Zhang B, Liang C, Li Z, Feng L, Qi J, Pan W, Tong J, Yan S, Tao F. Protective effect of high zinc levels on preterm birth induced by mercury exposure during pregnancy: A birth cohort study in China. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2019; 55:71-77. [PMID: 31345369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aims of our study were to determine whether prenatal mercury levels are associated with the risk of preterm birth (PTB) and whether high maternal serum zinc (Zn) levels alleviate any negative effects of maternal mercury (Hg) exposure regarding PTB. METHODS Serum concentrations of Zn and Hg were measured in 3025 pregnant women from the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort. Before the collection of blood samples, they underwent examinations via the completion of questionnaires. The delivery records of the women were obtained from a series of medical records. We divided the study population into tertiles according to the participants' Hg levels: the low-Hg group (the first tertile, <0.30 μg/L), the medium-Hg group (the second tertile, 0.30-0.43 μg/L) and the high-Hg group (the third tertile, ≥0.43 μg/L). The associations of Hg exposure with both the risk of PTB and gestational age (weeks) at birth were estimated using a binary logistic regression model and multivariable linear regression analysis, respectively. Afterwards, we conducted a repeated analyses test after the participants were stratified according to their Zn levels, using the 75th percentile division method. RESULTS Overall, the medians and the interquartile ranges of Hg and Zn in the second trimester were 0.36 (0.27, 0.48) μg/L and 812.34 (731.26, 896.59) μg/L, respectively. Hg levels were associated with PTB [adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.91 (1.17, 3.12) for the third tertile vs. the first tertile of the serum Hg levels]. In the stratification analysis of the participants in the low-Zn group, the high-Hg group exhibited a significant odds ratio of PTB [adjusted OR (95% CI): 1.87 (1.08, 3.24)], compared to the low-Hg group. However, in the participants from the high-Zn group, the high-Hg group exhibited a non-significant OR of PTB [adjusted OR (95% CI): 2.32 (0.73, 7.42)]. In the multivariate linear regression analysis, gestational age (weeks) at delivery was significantly and inversely associated with the ln-transformed Hg concentrations [adjusted β (95% CI): -0.16 (-0.26, -0.06)]. Similarly, after the stratification analysis in the high-Zn group, there were no significant associations between PTB and the Hg levels [adjusted β (95% CI): -0.12 (-0.33, 0.09)]. CONCLUSION Prenatal Hg exposure adversely affected PTB, and high Zn levels alleviate this effect, which indicates that a more stringent control of Hg and a sufficient intake of Zn are necessary to help birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyun Xiang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yiran Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Baoli Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chunmei Liang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health & Aristogenics, Hefei, China
| | - Zhijuan Li
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lanlan Feng
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Juan Qi
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wan Pan
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Juan Tong
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shuangqin Yan
- Ma'anshan Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Center, Ma'anshan, China
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health & Aristogenics, Hefei, China.
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Kepel B, Ekawati Tallei T. Potential of Organic Mercury-resistant Bacteria Isolated from Mercury Contaminated Sites for Organic Mercury Remediation. Pak J Biol Sci 2019; 22:45-50. [PMID: 30796768 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2019.45.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Efforts at organic mercury detoxification can be carried out using resistant bacteria that can live in an environment contaminated with the compound. This study aimed at isolating and identifying resistant bacteria from mercury-contaminated environments and analysing their ability to detoxify organic mercury. MATERIALS AND METHODS Soil samples were obtained from 3 gold processing locations that make use of mercury in Tanoyan Village, Bolaang Mongondow district, North Sulawesi province. The identification was carried out on the mercury-resistant bacteria through morphological and molecular tests. Bacteria which were highly resistant to mercury were examined for their ability to detoxify phenyl mercury (organic mercury). RESULTS The study showed that 8 mercury-resistant bacterial colonies could be isolated from the three soil samples. The bacteria were able to grow in LB broth containing 10 mg L-1 of phenyl mercury. Four isolates (AA, BB, CC and DD) were even able to grow in 40 mg L-1 of phenyl mercury. According to the identification tests, those bacteria were Pseudomonas sp. (AA, DD), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (BB) and Proteus mirabilis (CC). Testing of organic mercury against isolates of bacteria which are highly resistant to it in order to determine their detoxification capacity revealed that all four isolates could reduce levels of the compound in media, based on the results, starting from the highest was Pseudomonas sp. 74.99%, then Pseudomonas aeruginosa 60.23% and Proteus mirabilis 47.59% after 24 h of incubation. CONCLUSION The study suggested that there are four bacteria that have potentials to remediate organic mercury contamination sites.
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Raju A, Singh A, Srivastava N, Singh S, Jigyasu DK, Singh M. Mapping human health risk by geostatistical method: a case study of mercury in drinking groundwater resource of the central ganga alluvial plain, northern India. Environ Monit Assess 2019; 191:298. [PMID: 31254077 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7427-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Human health is "at risk" from exposure to sub-lethal elemental occurrences at a local and or regional scale. This is of global concern as good-quality drinking water is a basic need for our wellbeing. In the present study, the "probability kriging," a geostatistical method that has been used to predict the risk magnitude of the areas where the probability of dissolved mercury concentration (dHg) is higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limit. The method was applied to geochemical data of dHg concentration in 100 drinking groundwater samples of Lucknow monitoring area (1222 km2) located within the Ganga Alluvial Plain, India. Threefold (high to extreme risk) and twofold (moderate risk) higher dHg concentration values than the WHO permissible limit were observed in all of the groundwater samples. The generated prediction map using the probability kriging method shows that the probability of exceedance of dHg is the highest in the northwestern part of the Lucknow monitoring area due to anthropogenic interferences. The hotspots with high to very high probability are potentially alarming in the urban sector where 32.4% of the total population is residing in 6.8% of the total area. Interpolation of local estimates results in an easily readable and communicable human health risk map. It may help to consider substantial remediation measures for managing drinking water resources of the Ganga Alluvial Plain, which is among the anthropogenic mercury emission-dominated regions of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani Raju
- Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Anjali Singh
- Department of Geology, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, 313001, India.
| | - Nupur Srivastava
- Department of Geology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226007, India
| | - Sandeep Singh
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, India
| | | | - Munendra Singh
- Department of Geology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226007, India
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Lima FRD, Martins GC, Silva AO, Vasques ICF, Engelhardt MM, Cândido GS, Pereira P, Reis RHCL, Carvalho GS, Windmöller CC, Moreira FMS, Guilherme LRG, Marques JJ. Critical mercury concentration in tropical soils: Impact on plants and soil biological attributes. Sci Total Environ 2019; 666:472-479. [PMID: 30802662 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a toxic element that becomes a problem when present at high concentrations in soils. Mercury toxicity in soils varies depending on chemical species, concentration, exposure routes, and organism vulnerability. There is little information regarding the toxicity of Hg in tropical soils, especially for establishing safe levels of this pollutant. The purpose of this study was to investigate Hg concentrations in two tropical soils and their effect on oats and common beans, as well as on soil biological attributes. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, following ISO 11.269-2 and OECD-208 guidelines. Oat and common bean were cultivated in a Typic Hapludox (TyHpx) and Rhodic Acrudox (RhAcx) contaminated with HgCl2 at the following concentrations: 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 40.0, and 80.0 mg of Hg kg-1 of dry soil. The biological variables analyzed were seedling emergence, vegetative growth, chlorophyll content (SPAD index), gas exchange (photosynthetic rate, internal CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance), and Hg concentration and accumulation in shoot dry matter. Microbial biomass carbon, soil basal respiration, and metabolic quotient (qCO2) were also analyzed. Due to the sorptive characteristics of TyHpx, it had higher Hg concentrations than RhAcx. Mercury showed toxic effects on both oat and common bean species. However, common bean was affected only at concentrations higher than 20 mg kg-1. The microbial community showed high sensitivity to soil Hg concentrations, but external factors, such as the plant species cultivated, influenced the sensitivity of the community. The microbiota was most sensitive in pots with common bean, and this effect was more pronounced at low clay and low organic matter contents (TyHpx). In this study, the concentration of 0.36 mg kg-1 was critical for Hg in these soils, based on its deleterious effects on oat and common bean and on biological soil attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- F R D Lima
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - G C Martins
- Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Belém 66055-090, Pará State, Brazil
| | - A O Silva
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - I C F Vasques
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - M M Engelhardt
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - G S Cândido
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - P Pereira
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - R H C L Reis
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - G S Carvalho
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - C C Windmöller
- Departamento de Química, ICEX, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - F M S Moreira
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - L R G Guilherme
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
| | - J J Marques
- Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.
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Pajewska-Szmyt M, Sinkiewicz-Darol E, Gadzała-Kopciuch R. The impact of environmental pollution on the quality of mother's milk. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019; 26:7405-7427. [PMID: 30687894 PMCID: PMC6447517 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04141-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Breastfeeding is a gold standard of neonate nutrition because human milk contains a lot of essential compounds crucial for proper development of a child. However, milk is also a biofluid which can contain environmental pollution, which can have effects on immune system and consequently on the various body organs. Polychlorinated biphenyls are organic pollutants which have been detected in human milk. They have lipophilic properties, so they can penetrate to fatty milk and ultimately to neonate digestive track. Another problem of interest is the presence in milk of heavy metals-arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury-as these compounds can lead to disorders in production of cytokines, which are important immunomodulators. The toxicants cause stimulation or suppression of this compounds. This can lead to health problems in children as allergy, disorders in the endocrine system, end even neurodevelopment delay and disorder. Consequently, correlations between pollutants and bioactive components in milk should be investigated. This article provides an overview of environmental pollutants found in human milk as well as of the consequences of cytokine disorder correlated with presence of heavy metals. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Pajewska-Szmyt
- Department of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 7 Gagarin St, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Modern Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 4 Wileńska St, PL-87100, Toruń, Poland
| | - Elena Sinkiewicz-Darol
- Ludwik Rydygier Provincial Polyclinic Hospital in Toruń, Human Milk Bank, Św. Józefa 53-59, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
- Human Milk Bank Foundation, 128J Podkowy St, 04-937, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Renata Gadzała-Kopciuch
- Department of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 7 Gagarin St, 87-100, Toruń, Poland.
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Modern Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 4 Wileńska St, PL-87100, Toruń, Poland.
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Khan F, Momtaz S, Abdollahi M. The relationship between mercury exposure and epigenetic alterations regarding human health, risk assessment and diagnostic strategies. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2019; 52:37-47. [PMID: 30732897 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to the environmental toxicants poses a serious threat to human health. The extent of exposure and the development of diseases are interrelated with each other. Chronic exposure to mercury (Hg) increases the risk of developing serious human disorders from embryo to adulthood. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this review is to highlight the most common human disorders induced by Hg exposure on the basis of epigenetic mechanisms. A growing body of evidence shows that Hg exposure leads to alterations in the epigenetic markers. METHODS We performed an organized search of the available literature using PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, Reaxys, EMBASE and Scopus databases. All the relevant citations, including research and review articles in English were evaluated. The search terms included mercury, Hg, epigenetics, epigenetic alterations, DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNAs (miRNAs), and risk assessment. RESULTS Data on human toxicity due to Hg exposure shows broad variations in terms of chemical nature, doses, and the rate of exposure. Hg consumption either via foods or environmental sources may create deleterious health effects on various physiological systems at least partially through an epigenetic mechanism. CONCLUSION Hg exposure could trigger epigenetic alterations, hence leading to various human disorders including reduced newborn cerebellum size, adverse behavioral outcomes, atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Similarly, in adults, occupational Hg exposure has been associated with an increased risk of autoimmunity. It has been revealed that miRNAs in the woman's cervix are a novel responder to maternal Hg exposure during pregnancy. Hg-induced epigenetic alterations analysis of kidney tissues showed a significant interruption in renal function. DNA methylation and histone post-translation modifications are predominant types of Hg epigenetic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazlullah Khan
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran; Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeideh Momtaz
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran; Toxicology and Diseases Group, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Abdollahi
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran; Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Harayashiki CAY, Reichelt-Brushett A, Benkendorff K. Behavioural and brain biomarker responses in yellowfin bream (Acanthopagrus australis) after inorganic mercury ingestion. Mar Environ Res 2019; 144:62-71. [PMID: 30594313 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To assess the effects of inorganic mercury ingestion on fish general behaviour and brain biochemical markers (acetylcholinesterase - AChE; lipid peroxidation - LPO; glutathione S-transferase - GST; catalase - CAT), juvenile yellowfin bream (Acanthopagrus australis) were fed mercury dosed food (low = 0.7 mg kg-1, medium = 2.4 mg kg-1 and high = 6 mg kg-1) or undosed food (control = 0.2 mg kg-1) for up to 16 days (5 replicates per treatment). Behavioural indicators, LPO levels and GST activity significantly changed overtime, but were not affected by mercury concentration. In contrast, CAT activity was higher in exposed fish in comparison to controls after 4 days, but not after 8 and 16 days. An additional depuration treatment was evaluated and fish from this treatment were less active and had significantly lower LPO levels and CAT activity than fish constantly exposed to the medium treatment. Overall, results from the present study indicate that a diet containing inorganic mercury impaired yellowfin bream growth and initially affected fish brain CAT activity, however fish were able to recover even with continuous exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyntia Ayumi Yokota Harayashiki
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering. Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia; National Marine Science Centre. Southern Cross University, PO Box 4321, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia; CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasilia, DF 70040-020, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Reichelt-Brushett
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering. Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia
| | - Kirsten Benkendorff
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering. Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia
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Patel NB, Xu Y, McCandless LC, Chen A, Yolton K, Braun J, Jones RL, Dietrich KN, Lanphear BP. Very low-level prenatal mercury exposure and behaviors in children: the HOME Study. Environ Health 2019; 18:4. [PMID: 30626382 PMCID: PMC6325670 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-018-0443-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mercury is toxic to the developing brain, but the lowest concentration associated with the development of behavior problems is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between very low-level mercury exposure during fetal development and behavior problems in children. METHODS We used data from 389 mothers and children in a prospective pregnancy and birth cohort study. We defined mean prenatal mercury concentration as the mean of total whole blood mercury concentrations in maternal samples collected at 16- and 26-weeks of gestation, delivery, and neonatal cord blood samples. We assessed parent-reported child behavior up to five times from two to 8 years of age using the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-2). At 8 years of age, we assessed self-reported child anxiety using the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS). We used multiple linear mixed models and linear regression models to estimate the association between mean prenatal mercury concentrations and child behavior and anxiety, respectively. RESULTS The median prenatal total blood mercury concentrations was 0.67 μg/L. Overall, we did not find statistically significant associations between mean prenatal mercury concentrations and behavior problems scores, but a 2-fold increase in mercury concentrations at 16-weeks gestation was associated with 0.83 point (95% CI: 0.05, 1.62) higher BASC-2 anxiety scores. Maternal and cord blood mercury concentrations at delivery were associated with parent-reported anxiety at 8 years. CONCLUSION We found limited evidence of an association between very-low level prenatal mercury exposure and behaviors in children, with an exception of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimesh B. Patel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4 Canada
| | - Yingying Xu
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | | | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Joseph Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI USA
| | | | - Kim N. Dietrich
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Bruce P. Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC Canada
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Bjørklund G, Lindh U, Aaseth J, Mutter J, Chirumbolo S. Mercury in dental amalgams: A great concern for clinical toxicology in developing countries? J Trace Elem Med Biol 2019; 51:9-11. [PMID: 30466944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | - Ulf Lindh
- Biology Education Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Aaseth
- Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway; Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway
| | - Joachim Mutter
- Environmental Medicine, Konstanz, Germany and Paracelsus Clinica al Ronc, Castaneda, Switzerland
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Kroona L, Isaksson M, Ahlgren C, Dahlin J, Bruze M, Warfvinge G. Carvone Contact Allergy in Southern Sweden: A 21-year Retrospective Study. Acta Derm Venereol 2018; 98:938-942. [PMID: 30085320 DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Carvone (l-carvone), a mint flavour in spearmint oil, is considered a mild skin sensitizer. Carvone-sensitization may be linked to oral/perioral signs and oral lichen planus, but studies are sparse. The prevalence of patch test reactions to carvone and relevant findings from the positive group were investigated. Records for patch-tested patients at the Malmö clinic, for the period 1996 to 2016, were studied. Carvone-positive and carvone-negative patients were compared regarding patch test data from baseline series and dental series. Dental series-tested carvone-positive patients were also compared with a matched group. A total of 147 out of 4,221 referred patients had a positive patch test to carvone. Sensitized patients had higher mean age and were primarily women; 73% had oral signs and 57% had oral lichen. Concomitant patch test reactions to gold, nickel and mercury were common. In the matched group-comparison carvone-positive patients had a higher frequency of oral lichen, but no difference was found in sensitization to gold and mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liv Kroona
- Department of Oral Pathology , Malmö University, SE-205 06 Malmö, Sweden.
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Li X, Li Z, Lin CJ, Bi X, Liu J, Feng X, Zhang H, Chen J, Wu T. Health risks of heavy metal exposure through vegetable consumption near a large-scale Pb/Zn smelter in central China. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2018; 161:99-110. [PMID: 29879579 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.05.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Smelting of nonferrous metals is an important source of heavy metals in surface soil. The crops/vegetables grown on contaminated soil potentially impose adverse effects on human health. In this study, the contamination level of five heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu) in ten types of vegetables grown nearby a large scale Pb/Zn smelter in Hunan Province, China and the health risk associated with their consumption are assessed. Based on the data obtained from 52 samples, we find that Pb and Cd contributed to the greatest health risk and leafy vegetables tend to be more contaminated than non-leafy vegetables. Within 4 km radius of the smelter, over 75% of vegetable samples exceeded the national food standard for Pb; over 47% exceeded the Cd standard; and 7% exceeded the Hg standard. Heavy metal concentrations in vegetables measured within the 4 km radius are on average three times more elevated compared to those found at the control area 15 km away. Heavy metals in vegetables have dual sources of root absorption from soil and leaf adsorption from atmosphere. Health risk in terms of the hazard index (HI) at contaminated areas are 3.66 and 3.14 for adults and children, respectively, suggesting adverse health effects would occur. HI for both groups are mainly contributed by Pb (48%) and Cd (40%). Fortunately, vegetable samples collected at the control area are considered safe to consume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhonggen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Che-Jen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; Center for Advances in Water and Air Quality, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, USA
| | - Xiangyang Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jinling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Ji Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
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Aaseth J, Hilt B, Bjørklund G. Mercury exposure and health impacts in dental personnel. Environ Res 2018; 164:65-69. [PMID: 29482185 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Based on toxicological, clinical, and epidemiological knowledge, the present paper reviews the status regarding possible deleterious health effects from occupational exposure to metallic mercury (Hg) in dental practice. Symptoms from the central nervous system are among the health problems that most often are attributed to Hg exposure in dentists and dental nurses working with amalgam. Uncharacteristic symptoms of chronic low-level Hg vapor exposure including weakness, fatigue, and anorexia have been observed in numerous studies of dental personnel. It is crucial to protect both human health and the environment against negative effects of Hg. In line with this, the use of dental amalgam in industrial countries is about to be phased out. In Norway and Sweden, the use of the filling material is banned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Aaseth
- Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway; Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway.
| | - Bjørn Hilt
- Department of Occupational Medicine, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway.
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Hibbeln J, Gregory S, Iles-Caven Y, Taylor CM, Emond A, Golding J. Total mercury exposure in early pregnancy has no adverse association with scholastic ability of the offspring particularly if the mother eats fish. Environ Int 2018; 116:108-115. [PMID: 29665469 PMCID: PMC5993870 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
There is a public perception that relatively low doses of mercury found in seafood are harmful to the fetal brain but little consistent evidence to support this. In earlier publications we have shown no adverse associations between maternal total blood mercury levels and child behaviour, early development or cognitive function as measured by IQ. However, for IQ the lack of adverse association was conditional upon the mother being a fish eater. In this paper we analyse further data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), this time examining whether prenatal exposure to total mercury is associated with the child's scholastic abilities in reading, spelling, phoneme awareness, mathematics and science; the number of participants with prenatal mercury and relevant test results varied from 1500 to 2200. Multiple regression was used to assess relationships between prenatal total blood mercury concentrations and 16 different test results, after taking account of a variety of potential confounders; in parallel, logistic regression was used to determine associations with the risk of the child being in the lowest 15% of each score. Analyses were repeated stratifying for fish consumption and sex of the child. There was no evidence of harm associated with the level of total mercury, provided the mother ate fish during pregnancy. This was particularly true for tests of mathematics and science. We conclude that women should be confident that eating fish in pregnancy is beneficial for their unborn child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Hibbeln
- Section on Nutritional Neurosciences, Laboratory of Membrane Biophysics & Biochemistry, Nat. Institutes on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism, NIH, 31 Center Drive 1B/58, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Steven Gregory
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol Medical School (Public Health Sciences) University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK.
| | - Yasmin Iles-Caven
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol Medical School (Public Health Sciences) University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK.
| | - Caroline M Taylor
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol Medical School (Public Health Sciences) University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK.
| | - Alan Emond
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol Medical School (Public Health Sciences) University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Jean Golding
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol Medical School (Public Health Sciences) University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK.
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Hu XF, Singh K, Chan HM. Mercury Exposure, Blood Pressure, and Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis. Environ Health Perspect 2018; 126:076002. [PMID: 30073953 PMCID: PMC6108832 DOI: 10.1289/ehp2863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Body burden of mercury has been linked to hypertension in populations exposed to high mercury levels. OBJECTIVES We summarized, extracted, and pooled the results of published studies that investigated mercury biomarkers and hypertension or blood pressure (BP) measurements to examine this potential relationship. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, and TOXLINE and selected studies according to a priori defined inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for cohort and case-control studies and the Quality Assessment Tool for cross-sectional studies. Study estimates were pooled using inverse-variance weighted random-effects models. Dose-response meta-analysis was performed with studies reporting hypertension and systolic BP for at least three mercury categories. RESULTS A total of 29 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for hypertension, comparing the highest and lowest mercury exposure categories, was 1.35 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99, 1.83] for populations with hair mercury ≥2 μg/g in comparison with the OR of 1.12 (95% CI: 0.82, 1.52) for populations with hair mercury <2 μg/g. Positive associations were also observed for highest versus lowest mercury exposure categories on systolic and diastolic BP. Heterogeneity was observed for mercury species and exposure groups across different studies. Associations estimated using different mercury biomarkers generally agree with each other in the same study. A nonlinear dose-response relationship with an inflection point at 3 μg/g was identified, for both hypertension and systolic BP. CONCLUSIONS A significant positive association between mercury and hypertension and between mercury and BP was identified. The exposure dose is an important factor in determining the toxic effects of mercury on hypertension. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2863.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Feng Hu
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa (XFH, KS, HMC), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kavita Singh
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa (XFH, KS, HMC), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa (XFH, KS, HMC), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Freire C, Amaya E, Gil F, Fernández MF, Murcia M, Llop S, Andiarena A, Aurrekoetxea J, Bustamante M, Guxens M, Ezama E, Fernández-Tardón G, Olea N. Prenatal co-exposure to neurotoxic metals and neurodevelopment in preschool children: The Environment and Childhood (INMA) Project. Sci Total Environ 2018; 621:340-351. [PMID: 29190557 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
We sought to determine whether prenatal co-exposure to As, Cd, Hg, Mn, and Pb was associated with impaired neurodevelopment in preschool children from the Spanish Environment and Childhood (INMA) Project, using the placenta as exposure matrix. We measured metal levels in placenta tissue samples randomly selected from five of the seven population-based birth cohorts participating in the INMA Project, collected between 2000 and 2008. Neuropsychological assessment of cognitive and motor function was carried through the use of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) at the age of 4-5years. Data on placental metal levels, MSCA scores, and relevant covariates was available for 302 children. Mn was detected in all placental samples, Cd in nearly all placentas (99%) and As, Hg, and Pb in 22%, 58%, and 17% of the placentas, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, detectable As levels were associated with decrements in global and verbal executive functions and quantitative abilities; detectable Hg was associated with lower scores on the verbal function of posterior cortex in a dose-response manner, and non-linearly related to poorer motor function and gross motor skills; and Mn levels were associated with decrement in perceptual-performance skills in a dose-response manner but with better memory span and quantitative skills. A synergistic interactive effect was found between As and Pb with respect to the general cognitive score, whereas an antagonistic interaction was found between Mn and Hg. Prenatal exposure to As and Hg may be a risk factor for cognitive and motor impairment in children, while the effects of Cd and Mn on neurodevelopment are less clear. Future studies should examine combined and interactive effects of exposure to multiple metals during vulnerable periods of brain development prospectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Freire
- Health Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Esperanza Amaya
- Health Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Fernando Gil
- Department of Legal Medicine, Toxicology, and Physical Anthropology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernández
- Health Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, and Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Mario Murcia
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Jaume I University-University of Valencia, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Jaume I University-University of Valencia, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ainara Andiarena
- BIODONOSTIA Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain; University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Juanjo Aurrekoetxea
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; BIODONOSTIA Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; Subdirección de Salud Pública de Gipuzkoa, Department of Health of the Basque Government, 20013 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Mariona Bustamante
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra Universtiy (UPF), 08002 Barcelona, Spain; Genomics and Disease Group, Bioinformatics and Genomics Program, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mònica Guxens
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra Universtiy (UPF), 08002 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Centre-Sophia Children's Hospital, 3015 CN Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Esteban Ezama
- Cicom, Alternativa en Salud Mental, 33001 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Guillermo Fernández-Tardón
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Nicolás Olea
- Health Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, and Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Sonne C, Leifsson PS, Søndergaard J, Dietz R. Hepatic and renal histology and mercury concentrations of North West and North East Greenland narwhals (Monodon monoceros). J Toxicol Environ Health A 2018; 81:202-211. [PMID: 29437549 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2018.1435601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are at the top of the Arctic food web and therefore might biomagnify high total mercury (Hg) concentrations in organs and tissues. The aim of this study was to determine histopathology and Hg concentrations in liver and kidneys from 15 North East Greenland narwhals (3 subadult females, 8 adult females, 3 subadult males, and 1 adult male) and compare data with previous observations of 12 North West Greenland specimens (1 subadult female, 4 adult females, 1 subadult male, and 6 adult males). The zoological length was significantly larger and hepatic and renal concentrations significantly higher in adults compared to subadults. When comparing tissues, the Hg levels were significantly the highest in liver, while a correlation between metal levels in liver and kidneys was positive and significant. Histological examination of renal tissues presented four types of glomerular lesions (capillary dilatation [0-100%], membrane thickening [0-100%], dilatation of space [0-80%], and sclerosis [0-70%]) and two tubular lesions (atrophy/hyalinization [0-40%] and casts [0-60%]). Hepatic tissues exhibited three portal lesions (fibrosis [0-33%], cell infiltrates [0-40%], and bile duct proliferation [0-40%]) and two parenchymal lesions (steatosis [83-100%] and lipid-filled Ito cells [0-33%]). All 12 lesions were found in adult whales from North West Greenland while eight were present in adult whales from North East Greenland. Six lesions were detected in subadults from North East Greenland and four in subadults from North West Greenland. A significantly higher frequency of dilatation and hyalinization of Bowman's space and capsule and glomerular capillary dilatation was found in adult narwhals from West Greenland. There was no marked difference in Hg concentrations in whales with and without histological lesions. In conclusion, the prevalence of histological changes and Hg levels were the highest in adults and therefore both age and metal are important factors to include when evaluating liver and kidney lesions in narwhals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sonne
- a Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre , Aarhus University , Roskilde , Denmark
| | - Pall S Leifsson
- b Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences , University of Copenhagen , Frederiksberg , Denmark
| | - Jens Søndergaard
- a Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre , Aarhus University , Roskilde , Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- a Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre , Aarhus University , Roskilde , Denmark
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Tsai MS, Chen MH, Lin CC, Ng S, Hsieh CJ, Liu CY, Hsieh WS, Chen PC. Children's environmental health based on birth cohort studies of Asia. Sci Total Environ 2017; 609:396-409. [PMID: 28755589 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.07.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have explored the associations between environmental pollutants and pediatric health. Recent studies have investigated the issue in Asia, but no systematic review has been published to date. This study aims to elucidate the issue by summarizing relevant epidemiologic evidence for cohorts in Asia, using information from the Birth Cohort Consortium of Asia (BiCCA). Environmental pollutants include mercury, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates. This study sought to classify the effects of such compounds on fetal growth and pregnancy outcomes, neurodevelopment and behavioral problems, allergic disease and immune function and the endocrine system and puberty. These evidences showed ETS has been associated with infant birth weight, children's neurodevelopment and allergy disease; mercury and PCB have been shown to affect children's neurodevelopment; phthalate has effects on endocrine function; PFAS alters children's neurodevelopment, the endocrine system, and the allergic response. However, more consistent and coordinated research is necessary to understand the whole picture of single environmental and/or co-exposure and children's health. Therefore, harmonization and international collaboration are also needed in Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Shan Tsai
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Huei Chen
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chun Lin
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sharon Ng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Chia-Jung Hsieh
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualian County, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yu Liu
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wu-Shiun Hsieh
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pau-Chung Chen
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Ryu J, Ha EH, Kim BN, Ha M, Kim Y, Park H, Hong YC, Kim KN. Associations of prenatal and early childhood mercury exposure with autistic behaviors at 5years of age: The Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study. Sci Total Environ 2017; 605-606:251-257. [PMID: 28667852 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although mercury is an established neurotoxin, only few longitudinal studies have investigated the association between prenatal and early childhood mercury exposure and autistic behaviors. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal cohort study using an ongoing prospective birth cohort initiated in 2006, wherein blood mercury levels were measured at early and late pregnancy; in cord blood; and at 2 and 3years of age. We analyzed 458 mother-child pairs. Autistic behaviors were assessed using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) at 5years of age. Both continuous SRS T-scores and T-scores dichotomized by a score of ≥60 or <60 were used as outcomes. RESULTS The geometric mean of mercury concentrations in cord blood was 5.52μg/L. In adjusted models, a doubling of blood mercury levels at late pregnancy (β=1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39, 3.29), in cord blood (β=2.24, 95% CI: 0.22, 4.27), and at 2years (β=2.12, 95% CI: 0.54, 3.70) and 3years (β=2.80, 95% CI: 0.89, 4.72) of age was positively associated with the SRS T-scores. When the SRS T-scores were dichotomized, we observed positive associations with mercury levels at late pregnancy (relative risk [RR]=1.31, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.60) and in cord blood (RR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.63). CONCLUSION We found that blood mercury levels at late pregnancy and early childhood were associated with more autistic behaviors in children at 5years of age. Further study on the long-term effects of mercury exposure is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ryu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Hee Ha
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Boong-Nyun Kim
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Human Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mina Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yangho Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyesook Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Nam Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Public Health and Medical Service, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Kern JK, Geier DA, Deth RC, Sykes LK, Hooker BS, Love JM, Bjørklund G, Chaigneau CG, Haley BE, Geier MR. Systematic Assessment of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Mercury Reveals Conflicts of Interest and the Need for Transparency in Autism Research. Sci Eng Ethics 2017; 23:1691-1718. [PMID: 29119411 PMCID: PMC5705731 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-017-9983-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Historically, entities with a vested interest in a product that critics have suggested is harmful have consistently used research to back their claims that the product is safe. Prominent examples are: tobacco, lead, bisphenol A, and atrazine. Research literature indicates that about 80-90% of studies with industry affiliation found no harm from the product, while only about 10-20% of studies without industry affiliation found no harm. In parallel to other historical debates, recent studies examining a possible relationship between mercury (Hg) exposure and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show a similar dichotomy. Studies sponsored and supported by industry or entities with an apparent conflict of interest have most often shown no evidence of harm or no "consistent" evidence of harm, while studies without such affiliations report positive evidence of a Hg/autism association. The potentially causal relationship between Hg exposure and ASD differs from other toxic products since there is a broad coalition of entities for whom a conflict of interest arises. These include influential governmental public health entities, the pharmaceutical industry, and even the coal burning industry. This review includes a systematic literature search of original studies on the potential relationship between Hg and ASD from 1999 to August 2015, finding that of the studies with public health and/or industry affiliation, 86% reported no relationship between Hg and ASD. However, among studies without public health and/or industry affiliation, only 21% find no relationship between Hg and ASD. The discrepancy in these results suggests a bias indicative of a conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet K. Kern
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc, 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905 USA
| | - David A. Geier
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc, 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905 USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway
| | | | | | - Mark R. Geier
- Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc, 14 Redgate Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905 USA
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Figueiredo NL, Canário J, Serralheiro ML, Carvalho C. Optimization of microbial detoxification for an aquatic mercury-contaminated environment. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2017; 80:788-796. [PMID: 28850004 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2017.1357311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) reduction performed by microorganisms is well recognized as a biological means for remediation of contaminated environment. Recently, studies demonstrated that Hg-resistant microorganisms of Tagus Estuary are involved in metal reduction processes. In the present study, aerobic microbial community isolated from a highly Hg-contaminated area of Tagus Estuary was used to determine the optimization of the reduction process in conditions such as the contaminated ecosystem. Factorial design methodology was employed to examine the influence of glucose, sulfate, iron, and chloride on Hg reduction. In the presence of several concentrations of these elements, microbial community reduced Hg in a range of 37-61% of the initial 0.1 mg/ml Hg2+ levels. The response prediction through central composite design showed that the increase of sulfate concentration led to an optimal response in Hg reduction by microbial community, while the rise in chloride levels markedly decreased metal reduction. Iron may exert antagonistic effects depending upon the media composition. These results are useful in understanding the persistence of Hg contamination in Tagus Estuary after inactivation of critical industrial units, as well as data might also be beneficial for development of new bioremediation strategies either in Tagus Estuary and/or in other Hg-contaminated aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neusa L Figueiredo
- a Department of Toxicological and Food Sciences, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy , Universidade de Lisboa , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - João Canário
- b Department of Chemical Engineering, Centro de Química Estrutural , Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa , Lisboa , Portugal
| | - Maria Luísa Serralheiro
- c Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Centro de Química e Bioquímica , Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa , Campo Grande , Lisboa , Portugal
| | - Cristina Carvalho
- a Department of Toxicological and Food Sciences, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy , Universidade de Lisboa , Lisbon , Portugal
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Pietro-Souza W, Mello IS, Vendruscullo SJ, da Silva GF, da Cunha CN, White JF, Soares MA. Endophytic fungal communities of Polygonum acuminatum and Aeschynomene fluminensis are influenced by soil mercury contamination. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182017. [PMID: 28742846 PMCID: PMC5526616 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The endophytic fungal communities of Polygonum acuminatum and Aeschynomene fluminensis were examined with respect to soil mercury (Hg) contamination. Plants were collected in places with and without Hg+2 for isolation and identification of their endophytic root fungi. We evaluated frequency of colonization, number of isolates and richness, indices of diversity and similarity, functional traits (hydrolytic enzymes, siderophores, indoleacetic acid, antibiosis and metal tolerance) and growth promotion of Aeschynomene fluminensis inoculated with endophytic fungi on soil with mercury. The frequency of colonization, structure and community function, as well as the abundant distribution of taxa of endophytic fungi were influenced by mercury contamination, with higher endophytic fungi in hosts in soil with mercury. The presence or absence of mercury in the soil changes the profile of the functional characteristics of the endophytic fungal community. On the other hand, tolerance of lineages to multiple metals is not associated with contamination. A. fluminensis depends on its endophytic fungi, since plants free of endophytic fungi grew less than expected due to mercury toxicity. In contrast plants containing certain endophytic fungi showed good growth in soil containing mercury, even exceeding growth of plants cultivated in soil without mercury. The data obtained confirm the hypothesis that soil contamination by mercury alters community structure of root endophytic fungi in terms of composition, abundance and species richness. The inoculation of A. fluminensis with certain strains of stress tolerant endophytic fungi contribute to colonization and establishment of the host and may be used in processes that aim to improve phytoremediation of soils with toxic concentrations of mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Pietro-Souza
- Department of Botany and Ecology, Laboratory of Biotechnology and Microbial Ecology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
- Department of Botany and Ecology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Ivani Souza Mello
- Department of Botany and Ecology, Laboratory of Biotechnology and Microbial Ecology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
- Department of Botany and Ecology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | | | | | - Cátia Nunes da Cunha
- Department of Botany and Ecology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - James Francis White
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States of America
| | - Marcos Antônio Soares
- Department of Botany and Ecology, Laboratory of Biotechnology and Microbial Ecology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
- Department of Botany and Ecology, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil
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Jeong KS, Park H, Ha E, Shin J, Hong YC, Ha M, Park H, Kim BN, Lee B, Lee SJ, Lee KY, Kim JH, Kim Y. High Maternal Blood Mercury Level Is Associated with Low Verbal IQ in Children. J Korean Med Sci 2017; 32:1097-1104. [PMID: 28581265 PMCID: PMC5461312 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2017.32.7.1097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship of IQ in children with maternal blood mercury concentration during late pregnancy. The present study is a component of the Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study, a multi-center birth cohort project in Korea that began in 2006. The study cohort consisted of 553 children whose mothers underwent testing for blood mercury during late pregnancy. The children were given the Korean language version of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, revised edition (WPPSI-R) at 60 months of age. Multivariate linear regression analysis, with adjustment for covariates, was used to assess the relationship between verbal, performance, and total IQ in children and blood mercury concentration of mothers during late pregnancy. The results of multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that a doubling of blood mercury was associated with the decrease in verbal and total IQ by 2.482 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.749-4.214) and 2.402 (95% CI, 0.526-4.279), respectively, after adjustment. This inverse association remained after further adjustment for blood lead concentration. Fish intake is an effect modifier of child IQ. In conclusion, high maternal blood mercury level is associated with low verbal IQ in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Sook Jeong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea
| | - Hyewon Park
- Department of Child and Family Welfare, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Eunhee Ha
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jiyoung Shin
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yun Chul Hong
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mina Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Hyesook Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bung Nyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Boeun Lee
- Monitoring and Analysis Division, Han River Basin Environmental Office, Hanam, Korea
| | - Soo Jeong Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Kyung Yeon Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Ja Hyeong Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Yangho Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea.
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Silveira AEF, Nascimento JR, Sabadini-Santos E, Bidone ED. Screening-level risk assessment applied to dredging of polluted sediments from Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mar Pollut Bull 2017; 118:368-375. [PMID: 28318559 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Guanabara Bay is characterized by predominant eutrophication and anoxic sediments with a mixture of pollutants. The risk prognosis associated with the dumping of its dredged sediments into the open ocean was addressed by our algorithm. Our algorithm could prioritize areas, characterize major processes related to dredging, measure the potential risk of sediments, and predict the effects of sediment mixing. The estimated risk of dredged sediment was >10-fold than that of ocean sediments. Among metals, mercury represented 50-90% of the total risk. The transfer of dredged material into the ocean or internal dumping in the bay requires a 1:10 dilution to mitigate the risk and bring the risk levels close to that in the EPA criteria, below which there is less likelihood of adverse effects to the biota, and a 1:100 dilution to maintain the original characteristics of the ocean disposal control area. Our algorithm indicator can be used in the design of both aquatic and continental disposal of dredged materials and their management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Elisa F Silveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências (Geoquímica), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ 24020-150, Brazil..
| | - Juliana R Nascimento
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências (Geoquímica), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ 24020-150, Brazil..
| | - Elisamara Sabadini-Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências (Geoquímica), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ 24020-150, Brazil..
| | - Edison D Bidone
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências (Geoquímica), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ 24020-150, Brazil..
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Hu XF, Eccles KM, Chan HM. High selenium exposure lowers the odds ratios for hypertension, stroke, and myocardial infarction associated with mercury exposure among Inuit in Canada. Environ Int 2017; 102:200-206. [PMID: 28279481 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selenium (Se) has been reported to protect against the neurotoxicity of mercury (Hg). However, the effect of Se against Hg on cardiovascular diseases remains unclear. Inuit living in the Arctic have high exposure to both Se and Hg through their marine mammal and fish rich traditional diet. OBJECTIVE To characterize the co-exposure of Hg and Se among Inuit in Canada and to assess the associations between Hg, Se and cardiovascular health outcomes, including stroke, hypertension, and myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS Data was collected from the International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey (IHS) conducted in 2007 and 2008. Blood Se and Hg were measured, and self-report cardiovascular health outcomes were collected through a questionnaire interview from 2169 adults aged 18 and above. RESULTS The mean age was 42.4years, and 38.7% of the participants were male. The geometric means (GM) of blood Se and total Hg were 319.5μg/L and 7.0μg/L, respectively. The crude prevalence of heart attack, stroke and hypertension were 3.55%, 2.36%, and 24.47% respectively. Participants were categorized into 4 exposure groups according to blood Hg (high: ≥7.8μg/L; low: <7.8μg/L), and Se (high: ≥280μg/L; low: <280μg/L). The odds ratio (OR) of cardiovascular outcomes were estimated using general linearized models. Results showed the low Se and high Hg group had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (OR=1.76 for hypertension, 1.57 for stroke, and 1.26 for MI. However, the prevalence was decreased in both the high Se and low Hg group (OR=0.57 for hypertension, 0.44 for stroke, and 0.27 for MI) and the high Se and high Hg group (OR=1.14 for hypertension, 0.31 for stroke, and 0.80 for MI). CONCLUSIONS The high Se and low Hg group had the lowest prevalence of cardiovascular outcomes, except for stroke. These results provide evidence that Se may exhibit a protective effect against Hg on cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Feng Hu
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Hing Man Chan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Canada.
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Choi J, Chang JY, Hong J, Shin S, Park JS, Oh S. Low-Level Toxic Metal Exposure in Healthy Weaning-Age Infants: Association with Growth, Dietary Intake, and Iron Deficiency. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017; 14:E388. [PMID: 28383506 PMCID: PMC5409589 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14040388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Even low levels of toxic metal exposure (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in infancy might be harmful to children's development. This study investigated toxic metal exposure on healthy weaning-age infants and its relationship with growth, diet, and iron/anemia status. The weight, height, head circumference, whole blood levels of four toxic metals, hemoglobin, and serum ferritin of healthy infants was measured. Among 210 infants with a median age of 11.4 months (interquartile range: 10.5-12.0), the median levels of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were 1.2 μg/L, 0.05 μg/L, 0.8 μg/L, and 0.83 μg/dL, respectively. In adjusted linear regression models, post-birth weight gain (Pb) and current head circumference (As, Pb) were negatively associated with toxic metal levels. In multiple linear regression or logistic regression analysis, the duration of breastfeeding (all four metals), perceived adequacy of rice-based food intake (As), regular fish intake (As, Hg), and iron deficiency with/without anemia (Cd, Pb) were associated with increased toxic metal levels. Although levels of toxic metals may not usually be high in this population, individual exposure risk may need to be assessed after considering the type of feeding or intake of complementary foods and the iron/anemia status while evaluating growth status during late infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungil Choi
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
| | - Ju Young Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea.
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea.
| | - Jeana Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon 24289, Korea.
| | - Sue Shin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea.
| | - Jeong Su Park
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea.
| | - Sohee Oh
- Department of Medical Statistics, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea.
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Bogdanov NA. [The approach to the regulation of mercury according to the content of its termoforms in soils and bed loads]. Gig Sanit 2017; 96:106-113. [PMID: 29446589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The article contains the results of the ecological and hygienic diagnostics of conditions of lands of areas of different sizes and varying degrees of urbanization, located in different agro-climatic conditions of European Russia (the southern Astrakhan region, he city of Moscow). Assessments of the state of territories use a new approach to rationing of Hg according to quantitative ratios of the content of its thermoforms in soils, grounds and alluvium (in litho substrate). The method of diagnostics is based on known properties of Hg forms: their geochemical activity (migration mobility) and toxicity decline along with the increment of the Hg temperature threshold of the release in the process of continuous warming up of the litho substrate sample (up to 1100°C). Thermoforms are not tied to specific minerals or chemicals and are conditionally designated as FR (Free: <180°C), CL (Chloride: 180-250°C), FS and CS (physically and chemically sorbed: 250-400°C), SU (Sulfide: 400-500°C) IS (isomorphic: >500°C) Hg forms. Among forms, also conditionally according to complexes of low, medium and high temperature variations(FR + CL, FS + CS and SU + IZ, respectively, there are selected groups of «mobile», «sustainable» and «inert» forms. For technogenic Hg there is characterized the predominance in the sample of «mobile» and to lesser extent degree - «stable» thermoforms. The more intensive this predominance is, the higher is environmental hazard. The natural accumulation is diagnosed by the presence and prevalence of the sum of moderate - and high-temperature inert forms of Hg. According to the ratios of Hg content, its forms and groups, as well as the density of correlationships between them, 6 indices of the conditions of soils and alluvium were developed by ourselves.Main coefficients out of indices on informativeness of results of diagnostics are the following factors: Endogenous input, Geochemical activity and Hg mobility. With regard to the combination of variability in indices, the total amount of Hg, the genesis and intensity of its accumulation (natural or anthropogenic), there were also developed ranking scales of the ecological and hygienic condition of the land areas and surface water bodies. As a result, on the base of such approach to the regulation of Hg the information value of assessments of mercury contamination of land significantly increased. At the objects of assessments there were identified following areas: foci of the manifestation of Hg hypolimnetic emanations on the landscape surface - dispersion halos in the areas of the Earth crust fracture (the dome of the Astrakhan gas condensate field); environmentally dangerous (sometimes even at a low total content of Hg) parts of cities, towns, their districts, as well as beds of watercourses and water reservoirs bottom (the Volga river valley and delta, the Lefortovo quarter in Moscow). There was also diagnosed the threshold of the background distribution of gross Hg content detected = 0.2-0.3 mg/kg. Its magnitude is consistent with domestic and abroad safe levels of Hg accumulation in soils = 0.3-0.4 mg/kg. The approach provides the differentiation of the environmental hazard lands. Technology of the approach can be used in the development of normative Document for the diagnosis of environmental and sanitary condition of territories in the system of Classifications of hazard of waste, in decontamination of territories, water areas and land zoning according to the criteria of natural or anthropogenic Hg accumulation.
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