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Chemosphere Apr 2020Minamata disease in Japan and the large-scale poisoning by methylmercury (MeHg) in Iraq caused wide public concerns about the risk emanating from mercury for human... (Review)
Review
Minamata disease in Japan and the large-scale poisoning by methylmercury (MeHg) in Iraq caused wide public concerns about the risk emanating from mercury for human health. Nowadays, it is widely known that all forms of mercury induce toxic effects in mammals, and increasing evidence supports the concern that environmentally relevant levels of MeHg could impact normal biological functions in wildlife. The information of mechanism involved in mercurial toxicity is growing but knowledge gaps still exist between the adverse effects and mechanisms of action, especially at the molecular level. A body of data obtained from experimental studies on mechanisms of mercurial toxicity in vivo and in vitro points to that disruption of the antioxidant system may play an important role in the mercurial toxic effects. Moreover, the accumulating evidence indicates that signaling transduction, protein or/and enzyme activity, and gene regulation are involving in mediating toxic and adaptive response to mercury exposure. We conducted here a comprehensive review of mercurial toxic effects on wildlife and human, in particular synthesized key findings of molecular pathways involved in mercurial toxicity from the cells to human. We discuss the molecular evidence related mercurial toxicity to the adverse effects, with particular emphasis on the gene regulation. The further studies relying on Omic analysis connected to adverse effects and modes of action of mercury will aid in the evaluation and validation of causative relationship between health outcomes and gene expression.
Topics: Animals; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Humans; Japan; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System; Methylmercury Compounds
PubMed: 31881386
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125586 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Jun 2019Certain five heavy metals viz. arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr)(VI), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) are non-threshold toxins and can exert toxic effects at very... (Review)
Review
Certain five heavy metals viz. arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr)(VI), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) are non-threshold toxins and can exert toxic effects at very low concentrations. These heavy metals are known as most problematic heavy metals and as toxic heavy metals (THMs). Several industrial activities and some natural processes are responsible for their high contamination in the environment. In recent years, high concentrations of heavy metals in different natural systems including atmosphere, pedosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere have become a global issue. These THMs have severe deteriorating effects on various microorganisms, plants, and animals. Human exposure to the THMs may evoke serious health injuries and impairments in the body, and even certain extremities can cause death. In all these perspectives, this review provides a comprehensive account of the relative impact of the THMs As, Cd, Cr(VI), Hg, and Pb on our total environment.
Topics: Animals; Arsenic; Cadmium; Chromium; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Humans; Lead; Mercury; Metals, Heavy
PubMed: 31177337
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7528-7 -
Neurotoxicology Jul 2020
Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Child; Child Development; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Dietary Exposure; Fishes; Food Contamination; Humans; Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System; Methylmercury Compounds; Nervous System; Nutritional Status; Nutritive Value; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Seafood; Seychelles
PubMed: 32387194
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.04.001 -
The Journal of the Association of... Jul 2022
Topics: Embolism; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Pulmonary Embolism
PubMed: 35833404
DOI: No ID Found -
The New England Journal of Medicine Nov 2022
Topics: Humans; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 36383715
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm2202896 -
Advances in Neurobiology 2017The paraoxonases (PONs) are a three-gene family which includes PON1, PON2, and PON3. PON1 and PON3 are synthesized primarily in the liver and a portion is secreted in... (Review)
Review
The paraoxonases (PONs) are a three-gene family which includes PON1, PON2, and PON3. PON1 and PON3 are synthesized primarily in the liver and a portion is secreted in the plasma, where they are associated with high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), while PON2 is an intracellular enzyme, expressed in most tissues and organs, including the brain. PON1 received its name from its ability to hydrolyze paraoxon, the active metabolite of the organophosphorus (OP) insecticide parathion, and also more efficiently hydrolyzes the active metabolites of several other OPs. PON2 and PON3 do not have OP-esterase activity, but all PONs are lactonases and are capable of hydrolyzing a variety of lactones, including certain drugs, endogenous compounds, and quorum-sensing signals of pathogenic bacteria. In addition, all PONs exert potent antioxidant effects. PONs play important roles in cardiovascular diseases and other oxidative stress-related diseases, modulate susceptibility to infection, and may provide neuroprotection (PON2). Hence, significant attention has been devoted to their modulation by a variety of dietary, pharmacological, lifestyle, or environmental factors. A number of metals have been shown in in vitro, animal, and human studies to mostly negatively modulate expression of PONs, particularly PON1, the most studied in this regard. In addition, different levels of expression of PONs may affect susceptibility to toxicity and neurotoxicity of metals due to their aforementioned antioxidant properties.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Aryldialkylphosphatase; Cadmium; Cadmium Poisoning; Disease Susceptibility; Heavy Metal Poisoning, Nervous System; Humans; Lead; Lead Poisoning, Nervous System; Lipoproteins, HDL; Liver; Manganese; Manganese Poisoning; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System; Metals; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 28889264
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-60189-2_5 -
Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine... Sep 2016The brain pathology in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) indicates marked and ongoing inflammatory reactivity with concomitant neuronal damage. These findings are... (Review)
Review
The brain pathology in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) indicates marked and ongoing inflammatory reactivity with concomitant neuronal damage. These findings are suggestive of neuronal insult as a result of external factors, rather than some type of developmental mishap. Various xenobiotics have been suggested as possible causes of this pathology. In a recent review, the top ten environmental compounds suspected of causing autism and learning disabilities were listed and they included: lead, methyl-mercury, polychorinated biphenyls, organophosphate pesticides, organochlorine pesticides, endocrine disruptors, automotive exhaust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and perfluorinated compounds. This current review, however, will focus specifically on mercury exposure and ASD by conducting a comprehensive literature search of original studies in humans that examine the potential relationship between mercury and ASD, categorizing, summarizing, and discussing the published research that addresses this topic. This review found 91 studies that examine the potential relationship between mercury and ASD from 1999 to February 2016. Of these studies, the vast majority (74%) suggest that mercury is a risk factor for ASD, revealing both direct and indirect effects. The preponderance of the evidence indicates that mercury exposure is causal and/or contributory in ASD.
Topics: Autistic Disorder; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Risk Factors
PubMed: 27473827
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2016.06.002 -
Journal of Environmental Sciences... Jun 2018
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Mercury; Methylmercury Compounds
PubMed: 29908728
DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2018.05.020 -
Journal of Environmental Science and... Jan 2017Mercury (Hg) is toxic and hazardous metal that causes natural disasters in the earth's crust. Exposure to Hg occurs via various routes; like oral (fish), inhalation,... (Review)
Review
Mercury (Hg) is toxic and hazardous metal that causes natural disasters in the earth's crust. Exposure to Hg occurs via various routes; like oral (fish), inhalation, dental amalgams, and skin from cosmetics. In this review, we have discussed the sources of Hg and its potential for causing toxicity in humans. In addition, we also review its bio-chemical cycling in the environment; its systemic, immunotoxic, genotoxic/carcinogenic, and teratogenic health effects; and the dietary influences; as well as the important considerations in risk assessment and management of Hg poisoning have been discussed in detail. Many harmful outcomes have been reported, which will provide more awareness.
Topics: Animals; Cosmetics; Dental Amalgam; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 28055311
DOI: 10.1080/10590501.2016.1278299 -
Journal of Environmental Management Sep 2020Due to the lenient environmental policies in developing economies, mercury-containing wastes are partly produced as a result of the employment of mercury in... (Review)
Review
Due to the lenient environmental policies in developing economies, mercury-containing wastes are partly produced as a result of the employment of mercury in manufacturing and consumer products. Worldwide, the presence of mercury as an impurity in several industrial processes leads to significant amounts of contaminated waste. The Minamata Convention on Mercury dictates that mercury-containing wastes should be handled in an environmentally sound way according to the Basel Convention Technical Guidelines. Nevertheless, the management policies differ a great deal from one country to another because only a few deploy or can afford to deploy the required technology and facilities. In general, elemental mercury and mercury-bearing wastes should be stabilized and solidified before they are disposed of or permanently stored in specially engineered landfills and facilities, respectively. Prior to physicochemical treatment and depending on mercury's concentration, the contaminated waste may be thermally or chemically processed to reduce mercury's content to an acceptable level. The suitability of the treated waste for final disposal is then assessed by the application of standard leaching tests whose capacity to evaluate its long-term behavior is rather questionable. This review critically discusses the main methods employed for the recovery of mercury and the treatment of contaminated waste by analyzing representative examples from the industry. Furthermore, it gives a complete overview of all relevant issues by presenting the sources of mercury-bearing wastes, explaining the problems associated with the operation of conventional discharging facilities and providing an insight of the disposal policies adopted in selected geographical regions.
Topics: Construction Materials; Mercury; Refuse Disposal; Technology; Waste Disposal Facilities
PubMed: 32721358
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110945