Genetic effects of methylmercury in human chromosomes: I. A cytogenetic study of people exposed through eating contaminated fish

Abstract

An analysis of chromosomal aberrations (structural and numerical) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) was carried out on 16 people exposed to methylmercury through eating fish caught in Cartagena Bay (Columbia), an area of known methylmercury contamination. Fourteen people whose diet consisted mainly of fish caught in another, noncontaminated area of the Atlantic acted as controls. The results showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in methylmercury (MM) concentrations measured in hair and peripheral blood. Subsequently, significant differences between levels of organic mercury in blood and hair were found when all the individuals studied were classified in two groups according to their blood mercury levels. When achromatic lesions were included, the frequency of structural chromosome aberrations differed significantly between the exposed and control groups. Furthermore, a significant correlation (p less than 0.05) was found between structural chromosome aberrations and groups (exposed and control). When achromatic lesions were excluded from the analyses, these differences were not found. There was a significant correlation between SCE and age. This is the first report of a study on the frequency of SCE in a population exposed to methylmercury.

Mercury Levels along the Food Chain and Risk for Exposed Populations

“…A positive correlation was found between the mercury concentration in blood and micronucleus frequency (P(0.001) and also between the mercury level in blood and chromosomal aberration. Similar findings have been reported in vivo and in vitro by several authors (Skerfving, 1970;Wulf et al, 1986;Monsalve and Chiappe, 1987;Wagida and Gabal, 1991;Betti et al, 1993).…”

Genotoxicity of Mercury and Its Derivatives Demonstrated In Vitro and In Vivo in Human Populations Studies. Systematic Review

“…However, Monsalve and Chiappe (1987) did not find a differences in SCE or CA frequency between subjects exposed to this compound through the consumption of fish caught in a contaminated area and subjects who consumed fish from uncontaminated area, even though the difference in hair samples CH 3 Hg concentrations between those two groups was statistically significant and higher in the subjects who ate fish from the area [56]. Skerfving et al (1970) compared CA frequency in two groups of individuals in relation to the consumption of fish contaminated (or not) with CH 3 Hg and found a correlation of Hg concentration in erythrocytes, with fequent structural chromosomal rearrangements, but not with polyploidy or aneuploidy [54].…”

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Different Organs of Wallago Attu and Sperata seenghala at Different Sites of River Chenab, Pakistan

“…In addition, eating foods contaminated with heavy metals will severely deplete certain essential nutrients in the body, leading to impaired immune defense, impaired psychosocial behavior, and malnutrition-related disabilities. Therefore, the risk assessment of these metals through daily food intake is a very important issue (Monsalve and Chiappe, 1987).…”