Modifying effect of COMT gene polymorphism and a predictive role for proteomics analysis in children's intelligence in endemic fluorosis area in Tianjin, China

• Published in: Toxicological sciences 2015-04, Vol.144 (2), p.238-245
• Main Authors: Zhang, Shun, Zhang, Xiaofei, Liu, Hongliang, Qu, Weidong, Guan, Zhizhong, Zeng, Qiang, Jiang, Chunyang, Gao, Hui, Zhang, Cheng, Lei, Rongrong, Xia, Tao, Wang, Zhenglun, Yang, Lu, Chen, Yihu, Wu, Xue, Cui, Yushan, Yu, Linyu, Wang, Aiguo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catechol O-Methyltransferase - genetics; Child; China - epidemiology; Endemic Diseases; Female; Fluorosis, Dental - epidemiology; Humans; Intelligence - genetics; Male; Polymorphism, Genetic; Proteomics
• ISSN: 1096-6080; 1096-0929
• DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfu311

Cumulative fluoride exposure has adverse influences on children's intelligence quotient (IQ). In addition, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene Val158Met polymorphism (rs4680) is associated with cognitive performance. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of COMT polymorphism and alterations of protein profiles with children's intelligence in endemic fluorosis area. We recruited 180 schoolchildren (10-12 years old) from high fluoride exposure (1.40 mg/l) and control areas (0.63 mg/l) in Tianjin City, China. The children's IQ, fluoride contents in drinking water (W-F), serum (S-F), and urine (U-F); serum thyroid hormone levels, COMT Val158Met polymorphism, and plasma proteomic profiling were determined. Significant high levels of W-F, S-F, U-F, along with poor IQ scores were observed in the high fluoride exposure group compared with those in control (all P