Sex-specific neurotoxic effects of heavy metal pollutants: Epidemiological, experimental evidence and candidate mechanisms

Gade, Meethila; Comfort, Nicole; Ré, Diane B.

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111558

Cited by 95 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 258 publications

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“…Our study also observed stronger associations between heavy metals and obesity among women and older participants. Women are more susceptible to heavy metals than men due to the different redox homeostasis processes, hormonal influences (sexual maturation and menopause), and immune responses between the sexes [ 46 , 47 ]. Moreover, behavioral factors, such as smoking and occupational exposure, might affect the different susceptibility between men and women.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations of Diet Quality and Heavy Metals with Obesity in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Yang

et al. 2022

Nutrients

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A poor diet cannot fully explain the prevalence of obesity. Other environmental factors (e.g., heavy metals) have been reported to be associated with obesity. However, limited evidence is available for the combined effect of these factors on obesity. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study and used the data from the National Health and Examination Survey (2007–2018) to explore the associations between diet quality and heavy metals and obesity. Diet quality was evaluated by the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) score. Heavy metals included serum cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg). We included 15,959 adults, with 5799 of obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2). After adjustment for covariates, every interquartile range increase in HEI-2015 scores, Pb, Cd and Hg was associated with a 35% (odds ratios [OR] = 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60, 0.70), 11% (OR = 0.89, 95%CI: 0.82, 0.98), 9% (OR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.87, 0.96), 5% (OR = 0.85, 95%CI: 0.82, 0.89) reduction in risk of peripheral obesity, respectively. In addition, the association between the HEI-2015 scores and peripheral obesity was attenuated by higher levels of heavy metals (All p interaction < 0.05). Results remained similar for abdominal obesity. Our study reveals the distinct effects of a high-quality diet and heavy metals on obesity prevalence, and the beneficial effect of a high-quality diet could be weakened by higher levels of heavy metals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations of Diet Quality and Heavy Metals with Obesity in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Yang

et al. 2022

Nutrients

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“…Neurotoxicity is a well-used term to describe a multitude of adverse neurological effects. Exposure to various biological substances and physical or chemical agents can affect the functions or structure of the central nervous system (CNS) [ 21 ]. Neurotoxic agents can induce neurophysiological transformations.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Synthetic pesticides, drugs, bacterial and animal neurotoxins, and heavy metals can be neurotoxic agents. The toxicity of heavy metals, unlike other environmental contaminants, has been known since ancient times and has been extensively analysed and investigated [ 21 ], though a few aspects that require our attention on this critical topic remain.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zebrafish as a Potential Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Focus on Toxic Metals Implications

Paduraru

Iacob

Rarinca

et al. 2023

IJMS

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In the last century, industrial activities increased and caused multiple health problems for humans and animals. At this moment, heavy metals are considered the most harmful substances for their effects on organisms and humans. The impact of these toxic metals, which have no biological role, poses a considerable threat and is associated with several health problems. Heavy metals can interfere with metabolic processes and can sometimes act as pseudo-elements. The zebrafish is an animal model progressively used to expose the toxic effects of diverse compounds and to find treatments for different devastating diseases that human beings are currently facing. This review aims to analyse and discuss the value of zebrafish as animal models used in neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD), particularly in terms of the benefits of animal models and the limitations that exist.

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“…Previous studies reported gender dimorphism regarding heavy metal poisoning [ 14 , 15 ]. This sex dimorphism could relate to intrinsic sex-specific epigenetic mechanisms, hormone-regulated metabolism of heavy metals and iron-regulated metabolism [ 16 , 17 ]. These mechanisms can affect the absorption, retention and excretion of heavy metals, which consequently affects the level of heavy metals in different genders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender Difference in the Associations among Heavy Metals with Red Blood Cell Hemogram

Huang

Wang

Chen

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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This study aimed to investigate gender differences in the association between heavy metals and hemograms including hemoglobin (Hgb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). A health survey of 2447 participants was conducted in southern Taiwan between June 2016 and September 2018. Seven heavy metals were measured: blood lead (Pb), urine nickel (Ni), urine chromium (Cr), urine manganese, urine arsenic (As), urine copper and urine cadmium (Cd). The results show that in females, Pb and Ni were significantly negatively associated with Hgb. In addition, As and Cd were significantly positively, and Pb and Ni were significantly negatively, associated with MCV, in males and females, respectively. The interactions between gender and Ni and gender and Cd in MCV were statistically significant. Further, Pb, in males, and Pb, Ni and Cr, in females, were significantly negatively associated with MCHC. In conclusion, in females, associations of red blood cell (RBC) hemograms with heavy metals such as Pb and Ni were found. In males, heavy metals such as Pb, As and Cd were found to associate with RBC hemograms. Further research is warranted to discuss the mechanism behind these associations.

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Sex-specific neurotoxic effects of heavy metal pollutants: Epidemiological, experimental evidence and candidate mechanisms

Cited by 95 publications

References 258 publications

Associations of Diet Quality and Heavy Metals with Obesity in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Associations of Diet Quality and Heavy Metals with Obesity in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Zebrafish as a Potential Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Focus on Toxic Metals Implications

Gender Difference in the Associations among Heavy Metals with Red Blood Cell Hemogram

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