Selenium as a Potential Protective Factor Against Mercury Developmental Neurotoxicity

Details

• Personal Author:
  Budtz-Jørgensen E ; Choi AL ; Debes F ; Grandjean P ; Jørgensen PJ ; Steuerwald U ; Weihe P
• Description:
  Experimental studies suggest that selenium (Se) may decrease methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity under certain exposure regimens. In epidemiological studies, the exposure to MeHg occurs from fish and seafood, which are also a source of beneficial nutrients such as selenium. However, little is known about the potential protective effects of dietary Se against MeHg neurotoxicity in humans. The possible interaction was assessed in two birth cohorts in the Faroe Islands, consisting of singleton term births from 1986 to 1987 (N=1,022), and 1994 to 1995 (N=182), respectively. Dietary habits in this fishing population included frequent consumption of seafood, including whale meat high in mercury. Both Hg and Se were measured in cord whole blood. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated at age 7 years in both cohorts, and the smaller cohort also included neurological assessment on several prior occasions. Each outcome was modeled as a function of Hg and Se interactions (with adjustments for potential risk factors) by expressing the effects of log10(Hg) within the lowest 25%, the middle 50%, and the highest 25% of the Se distribution. Surplus Se was present in cord blood, the average being a 10-fold molar excess above MeHg. Regression analyses failed to show consistent effects of Se, or statistically significant interaction terms between Se and MeHg. Overall, no evidence was found that Se was an important protective factor against MeHg neurotoxicity. Prevention, therefore, needs to address MeHg exposures rather than Se intakes. Because of the benefits associated with fish intake during pregnancy, consumers should be advised to maintain a high fish and seafood intake that is low in Hg contamination. Additional research is needed to determine the identity of the nutrients responsible for the beneficial effects. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Blood Diet Environmental Exposure Epidemiology Hematologic Tests Men Mercury Nervous System Occupational Health Pregnancy Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Women

  More +
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Methylmercury Blood Tests Children Exposure Levels Humans Models Neuropsychological Tests Neurotoxicity Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects Preschool Children Risk Factors Selenium

  More +
• ISSN:
  0013-9351
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; New York ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  45-52
• Volume:
  107
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054986
• Citation:
  Environ Res 2008 May; 107(1):45-52
• Contact Point Address:
  Anna L. Choi, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
• Email:
  achoi@hsph.harvard.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Mercury (CAS RN 7439-97-6) ; Methylmercury(1+) (CAS RN 22967-92-6) ; Selenium (CAS RN 7782-49-2)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2008
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard School of Public Health
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Environmental Research
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:1379abb1e8a09f7e31e86889cb645978f9df8dd3348e0a8f0c1c183ebc69565a74eb86e3595f43239bce8823ed8262476be4e8c9ab91b71b2f1aa5c6785fea3c
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/217391/cdc_217391_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 373.41 KB ]