Mercury Exposure, Blood Pressure, and Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Dose–response Meta-analysis

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 ≥2μg/g in comparison with the OR of 1.12 (95% CI: 0.82, 1.52) for populations with hair mercury <2μg/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 3μg/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

Mercury exposure and its effects on fertility and pregnancy outcome

“…A relationship between diseases of the reproductive system and exposure to Hg is established (OR = 1.452, 95% CI: 1.086-1.940). 134 On the other hand, at paternal urinary Hg levels >4000 µg/L, an elevated rate of spontaneous abortions among workers exposed to Hg vapour was also reported, although the adverse effect was not significant after controlling for previous miscarriage history. 135 A trend of elevated rate of spontaneous abortions that were related to the paternal urinary Hg contents of 1-19 and 20-49 µg/L was reported in a study of exposed workers with Hg vapour 136,137 ; however, the study did not report confounding factors, including alcohol consumption and smoking.…”

“…The most common diseases were mammary hyperplasia, vaginitis and hysterioma (15.54%, 11.25% and 6.77%, respectively). A relationship between diseases of the reproductive system and exposure to Hg is established (OR = 1.452, 95% CI: 1.086‐1.940) …”

Novel Insights into Mercury Effects on Hemoglobin and Membrane Proteins in Human Erythrocytes

“…In addition, prolonged Hg exposure is considered as a contributing risk factor for Cardiovascular Disease [ 19 , 20 ]. In this respect, a recent meta-analysis indicates a significant positive association between high Hg body burden and hypertension, likely due to both endothelial and renal dysfunction [ 21 ]. Furthermore, Wierzbicki et al [ 22 ] reported that workers occupationally exposed to mercuric vapors exhibited a statistically significant increase in blood coagulation along with increased thrombin generation.…”

Phenol-Rich Feijoa sellowiana (Pineapple Guava) Extracts Protect Human Red Blood Cells from Mercury-Induced Cellular Toxicity

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