Evaluation of polymorphisms genes related to glutathione on the mercury concentrations in individuals environmentally exposed to the metal, in riparian communities of Tapajos river, Pará, Brazil

• Grant number: 11/22575-0
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Toxicological Analysis
• Principal researcher: Fernando Barbosa Júnior
• Grantee: Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron Barcelos
• Supervisor abroad: Karin Broberg
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Lund University, Lund, Sweden
• Associated to the scholarship: 10/16691-4 - Evaluation of mercury and lead metabolism and toxicity related polymorphisms in riverside communities exposed to the metals, in Amazonian region, BP.PD

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is one of the most toxic metals in the environment, causing many adverse health effects. Its elimination is done by slowly conjunction with glutathione (GSH) through a detoxification system that involves several steps with this compound. Thus, the hypothesis being examined in this project is that the genetic polymorphism related to the enzyme-glutamyl-cysteine-ligase M (GCLM-588), which participates in the synthesis of GSH, may influence the process of elimination of methylmercury (MeHg) in individuals environmentally exposed to this metal. For that, we intend to perform genotyping of the gene in riparian communities chronically exposed to MeHg through consumption of contaminated fish in the Tapajós River region, Pará, using the method for detecting polymorphisms TaqMan®, by use of Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and correlate with the concentrations of total Hg in blood, plasma, hair, as well as its relations blood/hair and blood/plasma (results already obtained) and to evaluate whether this polymorphism influences the concentrations of the metal in such biomarkers. In addition, this study will also focuses on the previously obtained data (Pos-doc project FAPESP 2010/16691-4) polymorphisms of the genes of glutathione S-transferases GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 and epidemiological data of the population and evaluate their possible influences and correlations using multivariate linear analysis. Therefore, the results obtained in this study will bring relevant information on environmental exposure to MeHg and its consequences to human health, the possible influence of polymorphisms of genes related to detoxification system mediated by GSH on the concentrations of this metal in individuals and even be shown various toxicological effects between genetic variations in the population and exposure to MeHg. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MAZZARON BARCELOS, GUSTAVO RAFAEL; DE MARCO, KATIA CRISTINA; DE REZENDE, VANIA BRAGHINI; LEITE BRAGA, GILBERTO UBIDA; GREGGI ANTUNES, LUSANIA MARIA; TANUS-SANTOS, JOSE EDUARDO; BARBOSA, JR., FERNANDO. Genetic Effects of eNOS Polymorphisms on Biomarkers Related to Cardiovascular Status in a Population Coexposed to Methylmercury and Lead. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, v. 69, n. 2, p. 173-180, AUG 2015. Web of Science Citations: 2.

MAZZARON BARCELOS, GUSTAVO RAFAEL; DE SOUZA, MARILESIA FERREIRA; SOARES DE OLIVEIRA, ANDREIA AVILA; LENGERT, ANDRE VAN HELVOORT; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCELO TEMPESTA; DE OLIVEIRA GODOY CAMARGO, ROSSANA BATISTA; GROTTO, DENISE; VALENTINI, JULIANA; GARCIA, SOLANGE CRISTINA; LEITE BRAGA, GILBERTO UBIDA; DE SYLLOS COLUS, ILCE MARA; ADEYEMI, JOSEPH; BARBOSA, JR., FERNANDO. Effects of genetic polymorphisms on antioxidant status and concentrations of the metals in the blood of riverside Amazonian communities co-exposed to Hg and Pb. Environmental Research, v. 138, p. 224-232, APR 2015. Web of Science Citations: 11.

MAZZARON BARCELOS, GUSTAVO RAFAEL; GROTTO, DENISE; DE MARCO, KATIA CRISTINA; VALENTINI, JULIANA; LENGERT, ANDRE VAN HELVOORT; SOARES DE OLIVEIRA, ANDREIA AVILA; GARCIA, SOLANGE CRISTINA; LEITE BRAGA, GILBERTO UBIDA; ENGSTROM, KARIN SCHLAWICKE; DE SYLLOS COLUS, ILCE MARA; BROBERG, KARIN; BARBOSA, JR., FERNANDO. Polymorphisms in glutathione-related genes modify mercury concentrations and antioxidant status in subjects environmentally exposed to methylmercury. Science of The Total Environment, v. 463, p. 319-325, OCT 1 2013. Web of Science Citations: 36.