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Toxics Mar 2024Mercury (Hg) pollution is a global public health concern because of its adverse effects on the environment and health. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been... (Review)
Review
Mercury (Hg) pollution is a global public health concern because of its adverse effects on the environment and health. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with Hg levels and outcomes. The aim of this review was to describe the research and discuss the evidence on the genetic susceptibility of Hg-exposed individuals to the development of neurocognitive disorders. A systematic review was performed to identify the genes/SNPs associated with Hg toxicokinetics and that, therefore, affect neurological function in exposed populations. Observational and experimental studies were identified by screening three databases. Thirteen articles were included (quality score 82-100%) and 8124 individuals were evaluated. Hg exposure was mainly fish consumption (77%) and, in 31% of the studies, the Hg levels exceeded the reference limits. Genetic susceptibility to higher Hg levels and neurotoxicity risk in Hg poisoning were associated with eight ( rs1800435, rs2740574, rs776746, rs2257401, rs1695, rs8052394, rs2270836, and rs11643815) and three ( rs8052394, rs2270837, and rs10636) SNPs, respectively, and rs8052394 was associated with both outcomes. The rs8052394 SNP may be used as a susceptibility biomarker to identify individuals at greater risk for higher Hg levels and the development of neurocognitive disorders in metal-exposed populations.
PubMed: 38535959
DOI: 10.3390/toxics12030226 -
Toxics Mar 2024Widespread contamination of the Amazon basin with mercury has been reported to occur since at least the mid-80s due to heavy gold mining activity. Although initial...
Widespread contamination of the Amazon basin with mercury has been reported to occur since at least the mid-80s due to heavy gold mining activity. Although initial studies have indicated that this may lead to deleterious neurological consequences to the indigenous populations living in the region, further research is needed to better characterize the neurological burden of such long-term exposure. With this aim, a cross-sectional exploratory study has been conducted with the Yanomami indigenous population residing in a northern Amazon region. All participants underwent a structured interview; detailed neurological examination, including assessment for cognitive, motor, coordination, and sensory functions; and laboratorial testing for serum hemoglobin, blood glucose, and methylmercury levels in hair samples. This study enrolled 154 individuals of 30.9 ± 16.8 years of age, of which 56.1% were female. Mean methylmercury levels in hair were 3.9 ± 1.7 µg/g. Methylmercury levels in hair > 6.0 µg/g were found in 10.3%. Among participants with hair methylmercury levels ≥ 6.0 μg/g, the prevalences of peripheral neuropathy and reduced cognitive performance were, respectively, 78.8% (95%CI 15-177%, = 0.010) and 95.9% (95%CI 16-230.8%, = 0.012) higher than those of individuals with lower levels. These results suggest that chronic mercury exposure may lead to significant and potentially irreversible neurotoxicity to Yanomami population living in the northern Amazon basin.
PubMed: 38535945
DOI: 10.3390/toxics12030212 -
South African Medical Journal =... Dec 2023Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that may cause neurological, respiratory, gastrointestinal and dermatological illnesses. Previously described neurological...
Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that may cause neurological, respiratory, gastrointestinal and dermatological illnesses. Previously described neurological manifestations of mercury toxicity are symmetrical, and include a pancerebellar syndrome, generalised seizures and encephalopathy. Mercury is used in the gold mining process, and in artisanal or illicit gold mining, often without necessary protection. Here we describe the cases of two artisanal gold miners from western Johannesburg, South Africa, who presented with atypical neurological manifestations of mercury toxicity. Patient 1 presented with focal seizures, an asymmetrical cerebellar syndrome and an acute encephalopathy. Patient 2 had unilateral cerebellar ataxia. Both patients had toxic mercury levels, with no other cause identified for their symptoms. Patient 1 responded well to chelation therapy, but patient 2 refused admission and further medical treatment. The neurological manifestations of mercury toxicity are typically symmetrical, whereas our two patients presented with markedly asymmetrical features. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion for mercury poisoning, even in patients with atypical and unilateral or asymmetrical presentations. A prompt diagnosis and the commencement of early chelation therapy have the potential to produce good outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Mercury; Occupational Exposure; Gold; South Africa; Brain Diseases; Miners
PubMed: 38525630
DOI: 10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i12.1127 -
Food Science & Nutrition Feb 2024The increase in cheese production, sale, and consumption due to the settled lives of societies has led to an increase in cheese-related diseases. It has become essential...
The increase in cheese production, sale, and consumption due to the settled lives of societies has led to an increase in cheese-related diseases. It has become essential to better understand cheese-borne diseases and to develop control measures. In this study, cheese-related diseases and precautions taken in the Ottoman Empire from the 19th to the 20th centuries were investigated in Ottoman archival sources. Of these documents, cheese spoilage was detected in 12 and cheese-related disease in 9. Cheeses that caused diseases or disorders in the relevant period were called spoiled cheese. One document states that a person died of a cheese-borne illness. Cheese poisoning occurs mainly from unsalted, fresh cheeses. It has been determined that tin-free copper pots were used in cheese production and sales and covered with herbs such as hemlock during maturation. In the relevant period, microbiological and chemical analyses of cheeses in terms of health were carried out in food control laboratories. Since the mercury chloride solution is used to disinfect animal udders, it has been stated that it contaminates the milk used in cheese production. Authorities have requested a boric acid solution (5% boric acid in hot water) instead of this solution for udder disinfection. In the Ottoman Empire, it was requested to take necessary sanitation and hygiene measures to prevent spoilage and cheese-related diseases in the production areas or sales places of cheese. Clean and tinned containers should be used in cheese production, storage, and sale, and poisonous herbs should not be used during cheese ripening. It was also essential to analyze them in laboratories at internal and external customs. Knowing the precautions taken in the past to prevent the deterioration of food or the occurrence of diseases has led to modern food safety practices being applied today.
PubMed: 38370051
DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3849 -
Archives of Toxicology Apr 2024Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental neurotoxicant that causes severe brain disorders such as Minamata disease. Although some patients with Minamata...
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental neurotoxicant that causes severe brain disorders such as Minamata disease. Although some patients with Minamata disease develop olfactory dysfunction, the underlying pathomechanism is largely unknown. We examined the effects of MeHg on the olfactory system using a model of MeHg poisoning in which mice were administered 30 ppm MeHg in drinking water for 8 weeks. Mice exposed to MeHg displayed significant mercury accumulation in the olfactory pathway, including the nasal mucosa, olfactory bulb, and olfactory cortex. The olfactory epithelium was partially atrophied, and olfactory sensory neurons were diminished. The olfactory bulb exhibited an increase in apoptotic cells, hypertrophic astrocytes, and amoeboid microglia, mainly in the granular cell layer. Neuronal cell death was observed in the olfactory cortex, particularly in the ventral tenia tecta. Neuronal cell death was also remarkable in higher-order areas such as the orbitofrontal cortex. Correlation analysis showed that neuronal loss in the olfactory cortex was strongly correlated with the plasma mercury concentration. Our results indicate that MeHg is an olfactory toxicant that damages the central regions involved in odor perception. The model described herein is useful for analyzing the mechanisms and treatments of olfactory dysfunction in MeHg-intoxicated patients.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Methylmercury Compounds; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System; Microglia; Olfaction Disorders
PubMed: 38367039
DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03682-w -
Toxics Nov 2023Human intoxication to mercury is a worldwide health problem. In addition to the type and length of exposure, the genetic background plays an important role in mercury... (Review)
Review
Human intoxication to mercury is a worldwide health problem. In addition to the type and length of exposure, the genetic background plays an important role in mercury poisoning. However, reviews on the genetic influence in mercury toxicity are scarce and not systematic. Therefore, this review aimed to systematically overview the most recent evidence on the genetic influence (using single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) on human mercury poisoning. Three different databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Scopus) were searched, and 380 studies were found that were published from 2015 to 2022. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 29 studies were selected and data on characteristics (year, country, profile of participants) and results (mercury biomarkers and quantitation, SNPs, main findings) were extracted and analyzed. The largest number of studies was performed in Brazil, mainly involving traditional populations of the Tapajós River basin. Most studies evaluated the influence of the SNPs related to genes of the glutathione system (GST, GPx, etc.), the ATP-binding cassette transporters and the metallothionein proteins. The recent findings regarding other SNPs, such as those of apolipoprotein E and brain-derived neurotrophic factor genes, are also highlighted. The importance of the exposure level is discussed considering the possible biphasic behavior of the genetic modulation phenomena that could explain some SNP associations. Overall, recommendations are provided for future studies based on the analysis obtained in this scoping review.
PubMed: 38133368
DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120967 -
BMJ Global Health Dec 2023Social determinants of health, such as living and working conditions, economical and environmental context and access to care, combine to impact the health of...
INTRODUCTION
Social determinants of health, such as living and working conditions, economical and environmental context and access to care, combine to impact the health of individuals and communities. In French Guiana (FG), the persons working in informal artisanal and small-scale gold mining in the rainforest are a particularly vulnerable population which lives in precarious conditions and far from the health system. Previous studies have demonstrated their high morbidity due to infectious diseases. This study aims to describe the social determinants of health in this specific population.
METHODS
This international multicentre cross-sectional survey included people working on the informal FG gold mines at the crossing points located at both borders with Suriname and Brazil. After collecting written informed consent, a structured questionnaire was administered.
RESULTS
From September to December 2022, 539 gold miners were included. These poorly educated migrants, mainly from Brazil (99.1%) did not have access to drinkable water (95.4%), lived in close contact with wild fauna by hunting, eating bushmeat or being bitten and were exposed to mercury by inhalation (58.8%) or ingestion (80.5%). They report frequent accidents (13.5%) and chronic treatment interruptions (26.6% of the 11.9% reporting chronic treatment). Half of them considered themselves in good health (56.4%).
CONCLUSION
This study shows a singular combination of adverse exposures of gold miners working in FG such as zoonoses, heavy metal poisoning, aggression of wild fauna. For ethical as well as public health reasons, actions towards health equity must be considered at different levels: individual, community, environmental, systemic and global level. As end users of minerals, we must assume our responsibilities for the well-being of the extractors by including health in political decisions to engage together in global health.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT05540470.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Gold; French Guiana; Social Determinants of Health; Mining
PubMed: 38103896
DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012991 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2023Mercury is an element with potential risk to fish and those who consume it. Thus, this study aimed to determine the levels of total mercury (THg), carry out a health...
Mercury is an element with potential risk to fish and those who consume it. Thus, this study aimed to determine the levels of total mercury (THg), carry out a health risk assessment related to the consumption of the freshwater stingrays , and determine the physical and chemical properties of the water where stingrays occur. Stingrays of the species were obtained from the Amazon River, and samples of the animals' musculature were collected to determine THg levels. Risk assessment was conducted using pre-established formulas of estimated monthly intake (EMI), maximum monthly intake rate (IRmm), and hazard quotient (HQ). Three population scenarios were evaluated, considering both sexes and differences between rural and urban areas. There was no relationship between weight and THg concentration nor between total length and THg concentration. Higher EMI values were observed in rural children; for the IRmm, male children had the lowest consumption levels. For the hazard quotient, there was a similarity between the three age groups when comparing the male and female sexes. In addition, the representatives of the rural area always had lower values than the urban area. Freshwater stingrays, like other elasmobranchs, can be crucial animal species because they act as sentinels in studies that assess harmful chemicals like mercury.
Topics: Animals; Child; Male; Humans; Female; Mercury; Skates, Fish; Brazil; Fishes; Fresh Water; Risk Assessment; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 37947548
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20216990 -
Turkish Archives of Pediatrics Oct 2023Mercury poisoning is a condition with multiple-organ dysfunction that has effects on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, skin,...
OBJECTIVE
Mercury poisoning is a condition with multiple-organ dysfunction that has effects on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, skin, lungs, and kidneys. It can be fatal or may result in sequelae such as neurological disturbances, if treated late or left untreated. The endocrinological effects of mercury exposure are not well-known. We aimed to evaluate patients with mercury poisoning.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 6 cases of mercury poisoning from 3 families were included in the study. Clinical, laboratory, and follow-up data were recorded.
RESULTS
Thyroid dysfunction was presented as high thyroid hormones and normal thyrotropin level (unsuppressed) in 5 cases (83.3%). On the other hand, pheochromocytoma-like syndrome was detected in 5 cases (83.3%) with hypertension. The 4 cases were the first to use methimazole for mercury poisoning due to tachycardia and hypertension despite antihypertensive treatment due to catecholamine excess and thyroid dysfunction. Hyponatremia was detected in 3 cases (50%).
CONCLUSION
Mercury poisoning is difficult to diagnose because it is rare and presents with nonspecific physical and laboratory findings. Early diagnosis and providing appropriate treatment are essential in order to prevent sequelae. Mercury poisoning should be considered in patients with unexplained hypertension and tachycardia suggesting the involvement of thyroid hormones and catecholamines.
PubMed: 37818842
DOI: 10.5152/TurkArchPediatr.2023.23150 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jan 2024Colorectal cancer is a major public health concern, with increasing incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Environmental factors, including exposure to toxic metals,... (Review)
Review
Colorectal cancer is a major public health concern, with increasing incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Environmental factors, including exposure to toxic metals, such as lead, chromium, cadmium, aluminium, copper, arsenic and mercury, have been suggested to play a significant role in the development and progression of this neoplasia. In particular, the bioaccumulation of toxic metals can play a significant role in colorectal cancer by regulating biological phenomenon associated to both cancer occurrence and progression, such as cell death and proliferation. Also, frequently these metals can induce DNA mutations in well-known oncogenes. This review provides a critical analysis of the current evidence, highlighting the need for further research to fully grasp the complex interplay between toxic metal bioaccumulation and colorectal cancer. Understanding the contribution of toxic metals to colorectal cancer occurrence and progression is essential for the development of targeted preventive strategies and social interventions, with the ultimate goal of reducing the burden of this disease.
Topics: Humans; Bioaccumulation; Metals; Arsenic; Cadmium; Mercury; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Colorectal Neoplasms; Metals, Heavy
PubMed: 37813250
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167667