Hair mercury is associated with dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk: An anthropometric, biochemical and genetic cross-sectional study of Amazonian vulnerable populations

• Published in: Environmental research 2023-07, Vol.229, p.115971-115971, Article 115971
• Main Authors: Lopes-Araújo, Amanda, Arrifano, Gabriela P., Macchi, Barbarella M., Augusto-Oliveira, Marcus, Santos-Sacramento, Letícia, Rodríguez Martín-Doimeadios, Rosa C., Jiménez-Moreno, María, Martins Filho, Arnaldo J., Alvarez-Leite, Jacqueline I., Oriá, Reinaldo B., do Nascimento, José Luiz M., Crespo-Lopez, Maria Elena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amazon; Apolipoprotein; Apolipoprotein A-I - analysis; Apolipoprotein A-I - genetics; Apolipoproteins - analysis; Apolipoproteins B - analysis; ASGM; Cardiovascular Diseases - chemically induced; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - genetics; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dyslipidemias - chemically induced; Dyslipidemias - epidemiology; Dyslipidemias - genetics; Genetic susceptibility; Hair - chemistry; Heart Disease Risk Factors; Humans; Intoxication; Mercury - analysis; Mercury - toxicity; Methylmercury; Risk Factors; Vulnerable Populations
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115971

This cross-sectional study evaluated the association between human exposure to mercury and cardiovascular risk using lipid profile (including apolipoproteins) and genetic analysis of Amazonian riverine population. Anthropometric data (gender, age, height, weight, blood pressure, and neck and waist circumferences) of the participants were recorded. Total mercury and methylmercury (MeHg) content were quantified in hair by ICP-MS and GC-pyro-AFS system. Polymorphisms rs662799, rs693, rs429358 and rs7412 (of genes of apolipoproteins A-V, B, and E at positions 112 and 158, respectively) were genotyped by real-time PCR. The population presented a dyslipidemia profile significantly correlated with high mercury levels. The apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I (ApoB/ApoA-I) index was also positively correlated with mercury, supporting a possible causal relationship. Allelic distributions were similar to those described in other populations, suggesting that genetic susceptibility may not have a significant role in the lipid alterations found in this work. This study demonstrated for the first time: i) the relationship between mercury exposure and cardiovascular risk-related apolipoproteins in humans, ii) the ApoB levels and the ApoB/ApoA-I index as the risk factors more strongly associated to the mercury-related dyslipidemia in humans, and iii) the prevalence of high/moderate risk of acute myocardial infarction in the vulnerable and chronically exposed-populations of the Amazon, in addition to the genotypic profile of the three most frequent polymorphisms in apolipoproteins of relevance for cardiovascular risk. This early detection of lipid alterations is essential to prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), especially in chronically exposed populations such as those found in the Amazon. Therefore, in addition to provide data for the Minamata Convention implementation, our work is in line with the efforts joined by all members of the World Health Organization committed to reducing premature deaths originating from non-communicable diseases by 25% in 2025, including CVD. •Hair mercury of chronically exposed-population was associated to dyslipidemic profile.•ApoB levels and ApoB/ApoA-I index were the most significant correlations with mercury.•No higher genetic susceptibility detected in highly exposed individuals.•Prevalence of AMI risk in the vulnerable exposed-population of the Amazon.•60% of riverine adults at some risk of CVD, with key role for me