Long-term exposure to methylmercury and its effects on hypertension in Minamata

Yorifuji, Takashi; Tsuda, Toshihide; Kashima, Saori; Takao, Soshi; Harada, Mine

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2009.10.011

Cited by 66 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…In the literature there are associations between mercury toxicity and increased platelet aggregation [36], increased Factor VIII, reduced platelet endothelial cell formation and migration, decreased vascular endothelial repair, and decreased nitric oxide [37]. Additionally, the association between mercury toxicity and hypertension is well known [38–40]. It has been shown that choroidal blood flow is regulated by parasympathetic innervation, with fibers rich in the vasodilator’s vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and NO [41,42].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxic Effects of Chronic Mercury Exposure on the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Macular and Choroidal Thickness in Industrial Mercury Battery Workers

et al. 2014

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BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects of mercury on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), macular thickness (MT), and choroidal thickness (CT) by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in battery industry workers who had been chronically exposed to mercury.Material/MethodsBattery factory workers (n=31) and healthy non-factory employee controls (n=15) participated in the study. Participants were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (n=15) was factory workers who had worked for more than 5 years in a mercury battery factory; Group 2 (n=16) was factory worker who had worked for less than 5 years in a mercury battery factory; and Group 3 (n=15) was healthy non-employees. Systemic symptoms were recorded. Ophthalmic examination included best-corrected visual acuity test, color vision test, full ophthalmologic examination, and SD-OCT of the RNLF, macula, and choroid. To determine mercury exposure, venous blood samples were collected and mercury levels were assessed.ResultsIn our study group the most common systemic symptoms were insomnia (67.7%) and fatigue (67.7%). There were no significant differences between Group 1 and Group 2, but there were significant differences between Group 3 and both Group 1 and Group 2 in best-corrected visual acuity values (1=2<3), color vision scores, blood mercury levels, and duration (mean ±SD, range) of mercury exposure(1>2>3). OCT values of RNFLTs, MTs, and CTs of all 3 groups were statistically different from each another (1<2<3).ConclusionsSD-OCT can be useful for evaluating the toxic effects of chronic exposure to mercury.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxic Effects of Chronic Mercury Exposure on the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Macular and Choroidal Thickness in Industrial Mercury Battery Workers

et al. 2014

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“…Ecologic or small cross-sectional studies in more highly exposed populations in the Amazon, 40 the Faroe Islands, 32 and Asia 41,42 suggest that methylmercury exposure may be associated with higher blood pressure or lower parasympathetic activity; ecologic evidence of an increased risk of clinical cardiovascular events is lacking. 43 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Exposure and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Two U.S. Cohorts

et al. 2011

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BACKGROUND Exposure to methylmercury from fish consumption has been linked to a potentially increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but evidence from prior studies is equivocal. Beneficial effects of the ingestion of fish and selenium may also modify such effects. METHODS Among subjects from two U.S. cohorts (a total of 51,529 men and 121,700 women) whose toenail clippings had been stored, we prospectively identified incident cases of cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease and stroke) in 3427 participants and matched them to risk-set–sampled controls according to age, sex, race, and smoking status. Toenail mercury and selenium concentrations were assessed with the use of neutron-activation analysis. Other demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, fish consumption, and lifestyle habits were assessed by means of validated questionnaires. Associations between mercury exposure and incident cardiovascular disease were evaluated with the use of conditional logistic regression. RESULTS Median toenail mercury concentrations were 0.23 µg per gram (interdecile range, 0.06 to 0.94) in the case participants and 0.25 µg per gram (interdecile range, 0.07 to 0.97) in the controls. In multivariate analyses, participants with higher mercury exposures did not have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. For comparisons of the fifth quintile of mercury exposure with the first quintile, the relative risks were as follows: coronary heart disease, 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69 to 1.04; P = 0.10 for trend); stroke, 0.84 (95% CI, 0.62 to 1.14; P = 0.27 for trend); and total cardiovascular disease, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.72 to 1.01; P = 0.06 for trend). Findings were similar in analyses of participants with low selenium concentrations or low overall fish consumption and in several additional sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence of any clinically relevant adverse effects of mercury exposure on coronary heart disease, stroke, or total cardiovascular disease in U.S. adults at the exposure levels seen in this study. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health.)

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“…Small cross-sectional studies in humans suggest that mercury exposure may be associated with higher blood pressure or prevalence of hypertension [25][26][27]. Relatively few studies have evaluated the association between mercury exposure and risk of CVD outcomes (Table 1).…”

Section: Mercury and Cardiovascular Riskmentioning

confidence: 96%

Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Mercury, and Selenium in Fish and the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

Park

Mozaffarian

2010

Curr Atheroscler Rep

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Fish consumption is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Some fish species also contain methylmercury, which may increase cardiovascular risk, as well as selenium, a trace element that could counter the effects of methylmercury or have beneficial effects itself. These potentially conflicting effects have created public confusion about the risks and benefits of fish consumption in adults. We examined the evidence for cardiovascular effects of fish consumption, particularly effects of marine omega-3 fatty acids, methylmercury, and selenium. Compelling evidence indicates that modest fish consumption substantially reduces cardiovascular risk, in particular cardiac mortality, related at least partly to benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. In contrast, observational studies and (for selenium) clinical trials demonstrate mixed and inconclusive results for cardiovascular effects of methylmercury and selenium. Net health benefits of overall fish consumption in adults are clear. Quantitative risk-benefit analyses of cardiovascular effects of consuming specific fish species, based on joint contents of fatty acids, methylmercury, and selenium, cannot currently be performed until the cardiovascular effects of methylmercury and selenium are established.

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Long-term exposure to methylmercury and its effects on hypertension in Minamata

Cited by 66 publications

References 28 publications

Toxic Effects of Chronic Mercury Exposure on the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Macular and Choroidal Thickness in Industrial Mercury Battery Workers

Toxic Effects of Chronic Mercury Exposure on the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Macular and Choroidal Thickness in Industrial Mercury Battery Workers

Mercury Exposure and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Two U.S. Cohorts

Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Mercury, and Selenium in Fish and the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

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