Evidence on Neurotoxicity after Intrauterine and Childhood Exposure to Organomercurials

Author(s)

Azevedo, Lara Ferreira ; Karpova, Nina ; Rocha, Bruno Alves ; Barbosa Jr, Fernando ; Gobe, Glenda Carolyn ; Carneiro, Maria Fernanda Hornos

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH; v. 20, n. 2, p. 19-pg., 2023-01-01.

Abstract

Although the molecular mechanisms underlying methylmercury toxicity are not entirely understood, the observed neurotoxicity in early-life is attributed to the covalent binding of methylmercury to sulfhydryl (thiol) groups of proteins and other molecules being able to affect protein post-translational modifications from numerous molecular pathways, such as glutamate signaling, heat-shock chaperones and the antioxidant glutaredoxin/glutathione system. However, for other organomercurials such as ethylmercury or thimerosal, there is not much information available. Therefore, this review critically discusses current knowledge about organomercurials neurotoxicity-both methylmercury and ethylmercury-following intrauterine and childhood exposure, as well as the prospects and future needs for research in this area. Contrasting with the amount of epidemiological evidence available for methylmercury, there are only a few in vivo studies reporting neurotoxic outcomes and mechanisms of toxicity for ethylmercury or thimerosal. There is also a lack of studies on mechanistic approaches to better investigate the pathways involved in the potential neurotoxicity caused by both organomercurials. More impactful follow-up studies, especially following intrauterine and childhood exposure to ethylmercury, are necessary. Childhood vaccination is critically important for controlling infectious diseases; however, the safety of mercury-containing thimerosal and, notably, its effectiveness as preservative in vaccines are still under debate regarding its potential dose-response effects to the central nervous system. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/10456-0 - Evaluation of protein expression and biochemical parameters related to diabetes mellitus type II and dyslipidemias in animals exposed to the contaminants bisphenol A and S
• Grantee: Lara Ferreira Azevedo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 18/24069-3 - ReSEARCH: Recognizing Signatures of the Exposome to Anticipate the Risks for a Continuous Health
• Grantee: Fernando Barbosa Júnior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/19554-0 - Assessment of mechanisms associated with energy homeostasis disruption after bisphenol A or S exposures through untargeted metabolomics
• Grantee: Lara Ferreira Azevedo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 16/07661-0 - Comparison of the toxicity of bisphenol A and bisphenol S individually and in association in HepG2 cells
• Grantee: Maria Fernanda Hornos Carneiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/06744-4 - Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles containing gold in rats with rheumatoid arthritis
• Grantee: Maria Fernanda Hornos Carneiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral