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Crespo-Lopez ME, Barthelemy JL, Lopes-Araújo A, Santos-Sacramento L, Leal-Nazaré CG, Soares-Silva I, Macchi BM, do Nascimento JLM, Arrifano GDP, Augusto-Oliveira M. Revisiting Genetic Influence on Mercury Exposure and Intoxication in Humans: A Scoping Review. Toxics 2023; 11:967. [PMID: 38133368 PMCID: PMC10747380 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Human intoxication to mercury is a worldwide health problem. In addition to the type and length of exposure, the genetic background plays an important role in mercury poisoning. However, reviews on the genetic influence in mercury toxicity are scarce and not systematic. Therefore, this review aimed to systematically overview the most recent evidence on the genetic influence (using single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) on human mercury poisoning. Three different databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Scopus) were searched, and 380 studies were found that were published from 2015 to 2022. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 29 studies were selected and data on characteristics (year, country, profile of participants) and results (mercury biomarkers and quantitation, SNPs, main findings) were extracted and analyzed. The largest number of studies was performed in Brazil, mainly involving traditional populations of the Tapajós River basin. Most studies evaluated the influence of the SNPs related to genes of the glutathione system (GST, GPx, etc.), the ATP-binding cassette transporters and the metallothionein proteins. The recent findings regarding other SNPs, such as those of apolipoprotein E and brain-derived neurotrophic factor genes, are also highlighted. The importance of the exposure level is discussed considering the possible biphasic behavior of the genetic modulation phenomena that could explain some SNP associations. Overall, recommendations are provided for future studies based on the analysis obtained in this scoping review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Jean Ludger Barthelemy
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Leticia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Caio Gustavo Leal-Nazaré
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Isabela Soares-Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Barbarella M. Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (J.L.M.d.N.)
| | - José Luiz M. do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (J.L.M.d.N.)
| | - Gabriela de Paula Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil (L.S.-S.); (C.G.L.-N.)
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Lopes-Araújo A, Arrifano GP, Macchi BM, Augusto-Oliveira M, Santos-Sacramento L, Rodríguez Martín-Doimeadios RC, Jiménez-Moreno M, Martins Filho AJ, Alvarez-Leite JI, Oriá RB, do Nascimento JLM, Crespo-Lopez ME. Hair mercury is associated with dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk: An anthropometric, biochemical and genetic cross-sectional study of Amazonian vulnerable populations. Environ Res 2023; 229:115971. [PMID: 37105291 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela P Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil
| | - Barbarella M Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil
| | - Letícia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil
| | - Rosa C Rodríguez Martín-Doimeadios
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - María Jiménez-Moreno
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | | | | | - Reinaldo B Oriá
- Laboratório da Biologia da Cicatrização, Ontogenia e Nutrição de Tecidos. Departamento de Morfologia e Instituto de Biomedicina, Escola de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - José Luiz M do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil.
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Arrifano GDP, Augusto-Oliveira M, Lopes-Araújo A, Santos-Sacramento L, Macchi BM, do Nascimento JLM, Crespo-Lopez ME. Global Human Threat: The Potential Synergism between Mercury Intoxication and COVID-19. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:ijerph20054207. [PMID: 36901217 PMCID: PMC10001942 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic affected billions of people worldwide, and exposure to toxic metals has emerged as an important risk factor for COVID-19 severity. Mercury is currently ranked as the third toxic substance of global concern for human health, and its emissions to the atmosphere have increased globally. Both COVID-19 and mercury exposure present a high prevalence in similar regions: East and Southeast Asia, South America and Sub-Saharan Africa. Since both factors represent a multiorgan threat, a possible synergism could be exacerbating health injuries. Here, we discuss key aspects in mercury intoxication and SARS-CoV-2 infection, describing the similarities shared in clinical manifestations (especially neurological and cardiovascular outcomes), molecular mechanisms (with a hypothesis in the renin-angiotensin system) and genetic susceptibility (mainly by apolipoprotein E, paraoxonase 1 and glutathione family genes). Literature gaps on epidemiological data are also highlighted, considering the coincident prevalence. Furthermore, based on the most recent evidence, we justify and propose a case study of the vulnerable populations of the Brazilian Amazon. An understanding of the possible adverse synergism between these two factors is crucial and urgent for developing future strategies for reducing disparities between developed and underdeveloped/developing countries and the proper management of their vulnerable populations, particularly considering the long-term sequelae of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela de Paula Arrifano
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Correspondence: (G.d.P.A.); (M.E.C.-L.)
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Letícia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Barbarella Matos Macchi
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Cellular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Martins do Nascimento
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Cellular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Correspondence: (G.d.P.A.); (M.E.C.-L.)
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Bittencourt LO, Matta PPM, Nascimento PC, Eiró-Quirino L, Aragão WAB, Dionizio A, Fernandes LMP, Silva MCF, Buzalaf MAR, Aschner M, Crespo-Lopez ME, Maia CSF, Lima RR. Deciphering the Global Proteomic Profile Involved in Methylmercury-Induced Cerebellar Neurodegeneration and Motor Dysfunction in Adult Rats. Toxics 2022; 10:531. [PMID: 36136496 PMCID: PMC9500842 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10090531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a ubiquitous pollutant in the environment with potential neurotoxic effects. Several populations are susceptible to mercurial exposure, especially methylmercury (MeHg) at low doses for long periods through food consumption. Given this, the present work aimed to assess the effects of long-term MeHg exposure on the cerebellum of rats from a translational perspective using a representative dose, assessing molecular, biochemical, morphological, and behavioral parameters. The model was produced by administering 40 µg/kg of MeHg for 60 days to adult male Wistar rats by oral gavage. As a result of this exposure, the animals presented motor deficits in open field and rotarod tests which were associated with an increase in total mercury content in cerebellar parenchyma, a reduction in antioxidant competence against peroxyl radicals, and increased nitrite and lipid peroxidation levels. The proteomic approach showed 317 modulated proteins. Such findings were associated with reductions in mature neuron and Purkinje cell densities and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostained areas and increased microglial density. In addition, decreases in myelin basic protein and synaptophysin immunostaining were also observed. The results thus provided new evidence of the mechanisms underlying complex MeHg-induced neurodegeneration, especially the proteins underlying the biochemical and morphological features associated with motor dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Oliveira Bittencourt
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Pedro Philipe Moreira Matta
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Priscila Cunha Nascimento
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Luciana Eiró-Quirino
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Walessa Alana Bragança Aragão
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Aline Dionizio
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru 17012-90, SP, Brazil
| | - Luanna Melo Pereira Fernandes
- Department of Morphology and Physiological Sciences, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, State Unversity of Pará, Belém 66087-662, PA, Brazil
| | - Márcia Cristina Freitas Silva
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | | | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Socorro Ferraz Maia
- Laboratory Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
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Roque CR, Sampaio LR, Ito MN, Pinto DV, Caminha JSR, Nunes PIG, Raposo RS, Santos FA, Windmöller CC, Crespo-Lopez ME, Alvarez-Leite JI, Oriá RB, Pinheiro RF. Methylmercury chronic exposure affects the expression of DNA single-strand break repair genes, induces oxidative stress, and chromosomal abnormalities in young dyslipidemic APOE knockout mice. Toxicology 2021; 464:152992. [PMID: 34670124 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is one of the most toxic environmental pollutants, especially when methylated, forming methylmercury (MeHg). MeHg affects DNA repair, increases oxidative stress, and predisposes to cancer. MeHg neurotoxicity is well-known, but recently MeHg-associated cardiovascular effects were recognized. This study evaluated circulating lipids, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity after MeHg-chronic exposure (20 mg/L in drinking water) in C57BL/6J wild-type and APOE knockout (ko) mice, the latter, being spontaneously dyslipidemic. Experimental mice were assigned to four groups: non-intoxicated and MeHg-intoxicated wild-type mice and non-intoxicated and MeHg-intoxicated APOE ko mice. Plasma levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), HDL, and LDL were analyzed. Liver lipid peroxidation and splenic gene expression of xeroderma pigmentosum complementation groups A, C, D, and G (XPA, XPC, XPD, and XPG), X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1 (XRCC1), and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) were measured. Fur Hg levels confirmed chronic MeHg intoxication. MeHg exposure raises TC levels both in wild-type and APOE ko mice. HDL and LDL-cholesterol levels were increased only in the MeHg-challenged APOE ko mice. MeHg increased liver lipid peroxidation, regardless of the genetic background. Unintoxicated APOE ko mice showed higher expression of TERT than all other groups. APOE deficiency increases XPA expression, regardless of MeHg intoxication. Furthermore, MeHg-intoxicated mice had more cytogenetic abnormalities, effect which was independent of APOE deficiency. More studies are needed to dissect the interactions between circulating lipids, MeHg intoxication, and DNA-repair pathways even at young age, interactions that likely play critical roles in cell senescence and the risk for chronic disorders later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cássia R Roque
- Laboratory of Tissue Healing, Ontogeny and Nutrition, Department of Morphology and Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Letícia R Sampaio
- Cancer Cytogenomics Laboratory, Drug Research, and Development Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Mayumi N Ito
- Cancer Cytogenomics Laboratory, Drug Research, and Development Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Daniel V Pinto
- Laboratory of Tissue Healing, Ontogeny and Nutrition, Department of Morphology and Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Juan S R Caminha
- Laboratory of Tissue Healing, Ontogeny and Nutrition, Department of Morphology and Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Paulo I G Nunes
- Natural Products Laboratory, Biomedicine Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Ramon S Raposo
- Experimental Biology core, Health Sciences, University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Flávia A Santos
- Natural Products Laboratory, Biomedicine Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Cláudia C Windmöller
- Laboratory of Atherosclerosis and Nutritional Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, ICB, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Para, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline I Alvarez-Leite
- Laboratory of Atherosclerosis and Nutritional Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, ICB, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Reinaldo B Oriá
- Laboratory of Tissue Healing, Ontogeny and Nutrition, Department of Morphology and Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Ronald F Pinheiro
- Cancer Cytogenomics Laboratory, Drug Research, and Development Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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Augusto-Oliveira M, Arrifano GDP, Lopes-Araújo A, Santos-Sacramento L, Lima RR, Lamers ML, Le Blond J, Crespo-Lopez ME. Salivary biomarkers and neuropsychological outcomes: A non-invasive approach to investigate pollutants-associated neurotoxicity and its effects on cognition in vulnerable populations. Environ Res 2021; 200:111432. [PMID: 34062204 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of neurotoxicity caused by xenobiotics such as pesticides (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, organophosphates, pyrethroids, etc.) or metals (mercury, lead, aluminum, arsenic, etc.) is a growing concern around the world, particularly in vulnerable populations with difficulties on both detection and symptoms treatment, due to low economic status, remote access, poor infrastructure, and low educational level, among others features. Despite the numerous molecular markers and questionnaires/clinical evaluations, studying neurotoxicity and its effects on cognition in these populations faces problems with samples collection and processing, and information accuracy. Assessing cognitive changes caused by neurotoxicity, especially those that are subtle in the initial stages, is fundamentally challenging. Finding accurate, non-invasive, and low-cost strategies to detect the first signals of brain injury has the potential to support an accelerated development of the research with these populations. Saliva emerges as an ideal pool of biomarkers (with interleukins and neural damage-related proteins, among others) and potential alternative diagnostic fluid to molecularly investigate neurotoxicity. As a source of numerous neurological biomarkers, saliva has several advantages compared to blood, such as easier storage, requires less manipulation, and the procedure is cheaper, safer and well accepted by patients compared with drawing blood. Regarding cognitive dysfunction, neuropsychological batteries represent, with their friendly interface, a feasible and accurate method to evaluate the eventual cognitive deficits associated with neurotoxicity in people from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. The association of these two tools, saliva and neuropsychological batteries, to cover the molecular and cognitive aspects of neurotoxicity in vulnerable populations, could potentially increase the prevalence of early intervention and successful treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela de Paula Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Letícia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Lazzaron Lamers
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
| | | | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil.
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7
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Maciel Salazar GK, Saturnino Cristino J, Vilhena Silva-Neto A, Seabra Farias A, Alcântara JA, Azevedo Machado V, Murta F, Souza Sampaio V, Val F, Sachett A, Bernarde PS, Lacerda M, Hui Wen F, Monteiro W, Sachett J. Snakebites in "Invisible Populations": A cross-sectional survey in riverine populations in the remote western Brazilian Amazon. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009758. [PMID: 34499643 PMCID: PMC8454940 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Brazilian Amazon, long distances, low healthcare coverage, common use of ineffective or deleterious self-care practices, and resistance to seeking medical assistance have an impact on access to antivenom treatment. This study aimed to estimate snakebite underreporting, and analyze barriers that prevent victims from obtaining healthcare in communities located in 15 municipalities on the banks of the Solimões, Juruá and Purus Rivers, in the remote Western Brazilian Amazon. Information on the participants' demographics, previous snakebites, access to healthcare, time taken to reach medical assistance, use of self-care practices, and the reason for not accessing healthcare were collected through semi-structured interviews. In the case of deaths, information was collected by interviewing parents, relatives or acquaintances. A total of 172 participants who reported having suffered snakebites during their lifetime were interviewed. A total of 73 different treatment procedures was reported by 65.1% of the participants. Participants living in different river basins share few self-care procedures that use traditional medicine, and 91 (52.9%) participants reported that they had access to healthcare. Living in communities along the Juruá River [OR = 12.6 (95% CI = 3.2-49.7; p<0.001)] and the use of traditional medicine [OR = 11.6 (95% CI = 3.4-39.8; p<0.001)] were variables that were independently associated to the lack of access to healthcare. The main reasons for not accessing healthcare were the pprioritization of traditional treatments (70.4%), and the failure to recognize the situation as being potentially severe (50.6%). Four deaths from complications arising from the snakebite were reported, and three of these were from communities on the banks of the Juruá River. Only one of these received medical assistance. We found an unexpectedly high underreporting of snakebite cases and associated deaths. Snakebite victims utilized three main different healing systems: 1) self-care using miscellaneous techniques; 2) official medical healthcare generally combined with traditional practices; and 3) self-care using traditional practices combined with Western medicines. To mitigate snakebite burden in the Brazilian Amazon, an innovative intervention that would optimize timely delivery of care, including antivenom distribution among existing community healthcare centers, is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Kemeron Maciel Salazar
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Joseir Saturnino Cristino
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Vilhena Silva-Neto
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Altair Seabra Farias
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - João Arthur Alcântara
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe Murta
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Vanderson Souza Sampaio
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Sala de Análise de Situação em Saúde, Fundação de Vigilância em Saúde do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Fernando Val
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - André Sachett
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | | | - Marcus Lacerda
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Fan Hui Wen
- Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wuelton Monteiro
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Sachett
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Alfredo da Matta, Manaus, Brazil
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8
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Arrifano GP, Alvarez-Leite JI, Macchi BM, Campos NFSS, Augusto-Oliveira M, Santos-Sacramento L, Lopes-Araújo A, Souza-Monteiro JR, Alburquerque-Santos R, do Nascimento JLM, Santos S, Ribeiro-dos-Santos Â, Oriá RB, Crespo-Lopez ME. Living in the Southern Hemisphere: Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in Amazonian Riverine Populations. J Clin Med 2021; 10:3630. [PMID: 34441925 PMCID: PMC8396977 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10163630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) epidemic is a global challenge. Although developing countries (including Brazil, India, and South Africa) present a higher proportion of deaths by cardiovascular diseases than developed countries, most of our knowledge is from these developed countries. Amazonian riverine populations (ARP), as well as other vulnerable populations of the Southern Hemisphere, share low-income and traditional practices, among other features. This large cross-sectional study of ARP (n = 818) shows high prevalence of hypertension (51%) and obesity (23%). MetS was diagnosed in 38% of participants (especially in women and 60-69 years-old individuals) without the influence of ancestry. Only 7-8% of adults had no cardio-metabolic abnormalities related to MetS. Atherogenic dyslipidemia (low HDL-cholesterol) was generally observed, including in individuals without MetS. Still, slight differences were detected between settings with a clear predominance of hypertension in Tucuruí. Hypotheses on possible genetic influence and factors (nutrition transition and environmental pollutants -mercury) are proposed for future studies. Moreover, a roadmap to MetS progression based on the most prevalent components is provided for the development of tailored interventions in the Amazon (initially, individuals would present low HDL-cholesterol levels, later progressing to increased blood pressure characterizing hypertension, and ultimately reaching MetS with obesity). Our alarming results support the need to improve our knowledge on these vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela P. Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (G.P.A.); (N.F.S.S.C.); (M.A.-O.); (L.S.-S.); (A.L.-A.); (R.A.-S.)
| | - Jacqueline I. Alvarez-Leite
- Laboratório de Aterosclerose e Bioquímica Nutricional, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30161-970, Brazil;
| | - Barbarella M. Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (B.M.M.); (J.L.M.d.N.)
| | - Núbia F. S. S. Campos
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (G.P.A.); (N.F.S.S.C.); (M.A.-O.); (L.S.-S.); (A.L.-A.); (R.A.-S.)
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (G.P.A.); (N.F.S.S.C.); (M.A.-O.); (L.S.-S.); (A.L.-A.); (R.A.-S.)
| | - Letícia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (G.P.A.); (N.F.S.S.C.); (M.A.-O.); (L.S.-S.); (A.L.-A.); (R.A.-S.)
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (G.P.A.); (N.F.S.S.C.); (M.A.-O.); (L.S.-S.); (A.L.-A.); (R.A.-S.)
| | | | - Raquel Alburquerque-Santos
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (G.P.A.); (N.F.S.S.C.); (M.A.-O.); (L.S.-S.); (A.L.-A.); (R.A.-S.)
| | - José Luiz M. do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (B.M.M.); (J.L.M.d.N.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Sidney Santos
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (S.S.); (Â.R.-d.-S.)
| | - Ândrea Ribeiro-dos-Santos
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (S.S.); (Â.R.-d.-S.)
| | - Reinaldo B. Oriá
- Laboratório de Biologia da Cicatrização, Ontogenia e Nutrição de Tecidos, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-160, Brazil;
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (G.P.A.); (N.F.S.S.C.); (M.A.-O.); (L.S.-S.); (A.L.-A.); (R.A.-S.)
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9
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Machado CLR, Crespo-Lopez ME, Augusto-Oliveira M, Arrifano GDP, Macchi BDM, Lopes-Araújo A, Santos-Sacramento L, Souza-Monteiro JR, Alvarez-Leite JI, de Souza CBA. Eating in the Amazon: Nutritional Status of the Riverine Populations and Possible Nudge Interventions. Foods 2021; 10:foods10051015. [PMID: 34066557 PMCID: PMC8148567 DOI: 10.3390/foods10051015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Amazon is the largest tropical forest in the world and a source of healthy food, such as fruits and fish. Surprisingly, the Amazonian riverine population present an increased prevalence (as high as 58%) of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and insulin resistance, even higher than that described for the urban population of the Amazon. Therefore, this work aimed to analyze the nutritional status and associated risk of the riverine population. Body mass index, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio, and neck circumference (NC) were evaluated, and risk analysis was assayed. Furthermore, data about occupation and the prevalence of consumers of the different groups of food were analyzed. All anthropometric parameters revealed high proportions of individuals at risk, WC and NC being the factors that had more high-risk women and men, respectively. Our data confirmed the characteristic profile of the riverine communities with a high number of fish consumers, but also observed different patterns probably associated to a phenomenon of nutrition transition. Based on our data, some nudge interventions that take into account the principles of behavior analysis are discussed and proposed for these populations, aiming to improve the nutritional status and avoid the long-term consequences of the results showed by this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Lorena Rodrigues Machado
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil; (C.L.R.M.); (M.A.-O.); (G.d.P.A.); (A.L.-A.); (L.S.-S.)
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil; (C.L.R.M.); (M.A.-O.); (G.d.P.A.); (A.L.-A.); (L.S.-S.)
- Correspondence: (M.E.C.-L.); (C.B.A.d.S.)
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil; (C.L.R.M.); (M.A.-O.); (G.d.P.A.); (A.L.-A.); (L.S.-S.)
| | - Gabriela de Paula Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil; (C.L.R.M.); (M.A.-O.); (G.d.P.A.); (A.L.-A.); (L.S.-S.)
| | - Barbarella de Matos Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil;
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil; (C.L.R.M.); (M.A.-O.); (G.d.P.A.); (A.L.-A.); (L.S.-S.)
| | - Letícia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil; (C.L.R.M.); (M.A.-O.); (G.d.P.A.); (A.L.-A.); (L.S.-S.)
| | | | | | - Carlos Barbosa Alves de Souza
- Núcleo de Teoria e Pesquisa do Comportamento, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Sobre Comportamento, Cognição e Ensino, Universidade Federal do Pará, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil
- Correspondence: (M.E.C.-L.); (C.B.A.d.S.)
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10
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Santos-Sacramento L, Arrifano GP, Lopes-Araújo A, Augusto-Oliveira M, Albuquerque-Santos R, Takeda PY, Souza-Monteiro JR, Macchi BM, do Nascimento JLM, Lima RR, Crespo-Lopez ME. Human neurotoxicity of mercury in the Amazon: A scoping review with insights and critical considerations. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2021; 208:111686. [PMID: 33396018 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to mercury is a major public health concern, causing neurological outcomes such as motor and visual impairment and learning disabilities. Currently, human exposure in the Amazon is among the highest in the world. A recent systematic review (doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.12.001), however, highlighted the lack of high-quality studies on mercury-associated neurotoxicity. There is, therefore, a need to improve research and much to still learn about how exposure correlates with disease. In this review, we discuss studies evaluating the associations between neurological disturbances and mercury body burden in Amazonian populations, to generate recommendations for future studies. A systematic search was performed during July 2020, in Pubmed/Medline, SCOPUS and SCIELO databases with the terms (mercury*) and (Amazon*). Four inclusion criteria were used: original article (1), with Amazonian populations (2), quantifying exposure (mercury levels) (3), and evaluating neurological outcomes (4). The extracted data included characteristics (as year or origin of authorship) and details of the research (as locations and type of participants or mercury levels and neurological assessments). Thirty-four studies, most concentrated within three main river basins (Tapajós, Tocantins, and Madeira) and related to environmental exposure, were found. Mercury body burden was two to ten times higher than recommended and main neurological findings were cognitive, vision, motor, somatosensory and emotional deficits. Important insights are described that support novel approaches to researching mercury exposure and intoxication, as well as prevention and intervention strategies. As a signatory country to the Minamata Convention, Brazil has the opportunity to play a central role in improving human health and leading the research on mercury intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela P Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Raquel Albuquerque-Santos
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Priscila Y Takeda
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | | | - Barbarella M Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - José Luiz M do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá (UNIFAP), 68903-419 Macapá, AP, Brazil.
| | - Rafael R Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
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11
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Crespo-Lopez ME, Augusto-Oliveira M, Lopes-Araújo A, Santos-Sacramento L, Yuki Takeda P, Macchi BDM, do Nascimento JLM, Maia CSF, Lima RR, Arrifano GP. Mercury: What can we learn from the Amazon? Environ Int 2021; 146:106223. [PMID: 33120229 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is among the ten most dangerous chemicals for public health, and is a priority concern for the 128 signatory countries of the Minamata Convention. Mercury emissions to the atmosphere increased 20% between 2010 and 2015, with South America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia as the main contributors. Approximately 80% of the total mercury emissions in South America is from the Amazon, where the presence of the metal is ubiquitous and highly dynamic. The presence of this metal is likely increasing, with global consequences, due to events of the last two years including extensive biomass burning and deforestation, as well as mining activities and the construction of large-scale projects, such as dams. Here we present a concise profile of this mobilization, highlighting the human exposure to this metal in areas without mining history. Mercury reaches the food chain in its most toxic form, methylmercury, intoxicating human populations through the intake of contaminated fish. Amazonian populations present levels over 6 ppm of hair mercury and, according to the 175:250:5:1 ratio for methylmercury intake : mercury hair : mercury brain : mercury blood, consume 2-6 times the internationally recognized reference doses. This exposure is alarmingly higher than that of other populations worldwide. A possible biphasic behavior of the mercury-related phenomena, with consequences that may not be observed in populations with lower levels, is hypothesized, supporting the need of improving our knowledge of this type of chronic exposure. It is urgent that we address this serious public health problem in the Amazon, especially considering that human exposure may be increasing in the near future. All actions in this region carry the potential to have global repercussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Leticia Santos-Sacramento
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Priscila Yuki Takeda
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Barbarella de Matos Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Martins do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá (UNIFAP), 68903-419 Macapá, AP, Brazil.
| | - Cristiane S F Maia
- Laboratório de Farmacologia da Inflamação e do Comportamento, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Rafael R Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela P Arrifano
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil
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12
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Silva JL, Leocádio PCL, Reis JM, Campos GP, Capettini LSA, Foureaux G, Ferreira AJ, Windmöller CC, Santos FA, Oriá RB, Crespo-López ME, Alvarez-Leite JI. Oral methylmercury intoxication aggravates cardiovascular risk factors and accelerates atherosclerosis lesion development in ApoE knockout and C57BL/6 mice. Toxicol Res 2020; 37:311-321. [PMID: 34295795 DOI: 10.1007/s43188-020-00066-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) intoxication is associated with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and atherosclerosis by mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. We investigated the effects of MeHg intoxication in atherosclerosis-prone (ApoE-KO) and resistant C57BL/6 mice. Mice were submitted to carotid stenosis surgery (to induce atherosclerosis faster) and received water or MeHg solution (20 mg/L) for 15 days. Tail plethysmography was performed before and after MeHg exposure. Food and MeHg solution intakes were monitored weekly. On the 15th day, mice were submitted to intravital fluorescence microscopy of mesenteric vasculature to observe in vivo leukocyte rolling and adhesion. Results showed that despite the high hair and liver Hg concentrations in the MeHg group, food and water (or MeHg solution) consumption and liver function marker levels were similar to those in controls. MeHg exposure increased total cholesterol, the atherogenic (non-HDL) fraction and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. MeHg exposure also induced inflammation, as seen by the increased rolling and adhered leukocytes in the mesenteric vasculature. Atherosclerosis lesions were more extensive in the aorta and carotid sites of MeHg-ApoE knockout mice. Surprisingly, MeHg exposure also induced atherosclerosis lesions in C57BL/6 mice, which are resistant to atherosclerosis formation. We concluded that MeHg intoxication might represent a risk for cardiovascular diseases since it accelerates atherogenesis by exacerbating several independent risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janayne L Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia ICB/UFMG Caixa Postal 486, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 30161-970 Brazil
| | - Paola C L Leocádio
- Departamento de Nutrição e Saúde, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Jonas M Reis
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia ICB/UFMG Caixa Postal 486, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 30161-970 Brazil
| | - Gianne P Campos
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Luciano S A Capettini
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Giselle Foureaux
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Anderson J Ferreira
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Cláudia C Windmöller
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Flávia A Santos
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará Brazil
| | - Reinaldo B Oriá
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará Brazil
| | - Maria E Crespo-López
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará Brazil
| | - Jacqueline I Alvarez-Leite
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia ICB/UFMG Caixa Postal 486, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 30161-970 Brazil
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13
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Nardoto GB, da Silva RJ, Schor T, Garavello MEPE, da Silva MRF, Rodrigues LPF, Murrieta RSS, Camilo EA, Reinaldo EDF, de Aquino FC, da Silva EA, de Camargo PB, Moreira MZ, Mazzi EA, Duarte-Neto PJ, Martinelli LA. Mapping carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of fingernails to demonstrate a rural-urban nutrition transition in the Center-West, Northeast, and Amazon regions of Brazil. Am J Phys Anthropol 2020; 172:650-663. [PMID: 32491211 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study is to investigate diet patterns among rural and urban populations of the Center-West, Northeast, and Amazon regions of Brazil through the carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of fingernails, recognizing that the extent of market integration is a key driver of food consumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the Center-West, Northeast, and Amazon regions of Brazil, fingernails were sampled in clusters encompassing a major city, town, and rural village. A total of 2,133 fingernails were analyzed. Fingernails were clipped by donors using fingernail clippers. In the laboratory, samples were cleaned then weighed in small tin capsules before being isotopically analyzed for carbon and nitrogen. RESULTS The overall mean δ13 C and δ15 N were -19.7 ± 2.8‰ and 10.6 ± 1.1‰, respectively. In the more remote villages, where access to food markets is more challenging, lower δ13 C prevails, suggesting that Brazilian staple foods (rice, beans, and farinha) still dominate. In areas with easier access to food markets, δ13 C values were higher, suggesting a change to a diet based on C4 plants, typical of a Brazilian supermarket diet. The variability among inhabitants in the same location expressed by a significant inverse correlation between δ13 C and δ15 N fingernail values suggested that "market integration" does not affect everyone equally in each community. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The nutrition transition has not yet reached some remote villages in these regions of Brazil or that the nutrition transition has not yet reached all residents of these remote villages. On the other hand, in several villages there is a considerable adherence to the supermarket diet or that some residents of these villages are already favoring processed food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela B Nardoto
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Tatiana Schor
- Departamento de Geografia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | | | - Marcia Regina F da Silva
- Departamento de Gestão Ambiental, Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, Brazil
| | | | - Rui Sergio S Murrieta
- Laboratório de Arqueologia, Antropologia Ambiental e Evolutiva (LAAAE), Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ellen A Camilo
- Departamento de Geografia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Emanoella D F Reinaldo
- Departamento de Gestão Ambiental, Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, Brazil
| | | | | | - Plinio B de Camargo
- Laboratório de Ecologia Isotópica, CENA, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Z Moreira
- Laboratório de Ecologia Isotópica, CENA, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Edmar A Mazzi
- Laboratório de Ecologia Isotópica, CENA, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Paulo José Duarte-Neto
- Departamento de Estatística e Informática, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
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14
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de Mattos Oliveira LFC, Lennon RP, Roman JW, Sullivan JF, Milder EA. Health Characteristics of the Madeira Riverine Population. Mil Med 2020; 185:e1222-e1228. [DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaa006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
The Amazon River Basin is the largest and the most complex fluvial system in the world. The Brazilian government provides dental and medical care to the riverine populations in this region in part through medical assistance missions, conducted by four hospital ships. The Brazilian Navy invited U.S. Navy medical personnel to join the February 2019 mission aboard Navio de Assistência Hospitalar (NAsH) Carlos Chagas to provide care along the Madeira River.
Materials and Methods
In the course of providing primary care services, demographic, health, and dental data of the Madeira Riverine population were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to generate average health and dental data. Chi-square tests were used to compare population prevalence data. Linear regression was used to evaluate dental caries per patient with proximity to nearest large population center and village population. This project was approved by Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Institutional Review Board.
Results
The Madeira Riverine population has similar dental health to Brazilians living in urban centers. Their prevalence of hypertension and diabetes compared favorably with the U.S. averages (17.7% vs. 34.3% [P < 0.001] and 3% vs. 9.4% [P < 0.001], respectively). Based on the most prevalent ICD-10 code diagnoses, future missions can expect high volumes of patients with intestinal parasites, hypertension, common skin infections, women’s health concerns, and musculoskeletal complaints.
Conclusions
This study adds to the limited health data currently available on Brazilian Riverine populations. It demonstrates the effectiveness of the Hospital Assistance missions in providing dental care and documents some unique aspects of Riverine health that warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert P Lennon
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
| | - John W Roman
- Department of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, 620 John Paul Jones Circle, Portsmouth, VA 23708
| | - John F Sullivan
- Department of Family Medicine, Naval Hospital Jacksonville, 2080 Child Street, Jacksonville, FL 32214
| | - Edmund A Milder
- Department of Pediatrics, Naval Medical Center San Diego, 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134
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15
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Crespo-López ME, Soares ES, Macchi BDM, Santos-Sacramento L, Takeda PY, Lopes-Araújo A, Paraense RSDO, Souza-Monteiro JR, Augusto-Oliveira M, Luz DA, Maia CDSF, Rogez H, Lima MDO, Pereira JP, Oliveira DC, Burbano RR, Lima RR, do Nascimento JLM, Arrifano GDP. Towards Therapeutic Alternatives for Mercury Neurotoxicity in the Amazon: Unraveling the Pre-Clinical Effects of the Superfruit Açaí ( Euterpe oleracea, Mart.) as Juice for Human Consumption. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11112585. [PMID: 31717801 PMCID: PMC6893510 DOI: 10.3390/nu11112585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure is a serious problem of public health, especially in the Amazon. Exposure in riverine populations is responsible for neurobehavioral abnormalities. It was hypothesized that consumption of Amazonian fruits could protect by reducing mercury accumulation. This work analyzed the effects of commercial samples of Euterpe oleracea (EO) for human consumption (10 μL/g) against MeHg i.p. exposure (2.5 mg/Kg), using neurobehavioral (open field, rotarod and pole tests), biochemical (lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels), aging-related (telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mRNA expression) and toxicokinetic (MeHg content) parameters in mice. Both the pole and rotarod tests were the most sensitive tests accompanied by increased lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels in brains. MeHg reduced TERT mRNA about 50% demonstrating a strong pro-aging effect. The EO intake, similar to that of human populations, prevented all alterations, without changing the mercury content, but avoiding neurotoxicity and premature aging of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Contrary to the hypothesis found in the literature on the possible chelating properties of Amazonian fruits consumption, the effect of EO would be essentially pharmacodynamics, and possible mechanisms are discussed. Our data already support the regular consumption of EO as an excellent option for exposed Amazonian populations to have additional protection against MeHg intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ericks Sousa Soares
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Investigation, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa, Catarina, Florianópolis-SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Barbarella de Matos Macchi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurochemistry, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Priscila Yuki Takeda
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Amanda Lopes-Araújo
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcus Augusto-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Diandra Araújo Luz
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior and Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Hervé Rogez
- Centre for Valorisation of Amazonian Bioactive Compounds (CVACBA) and Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - João Paulo Pereira
- Evandro Chagas Institute, Secretary of Sanitary Surveillance, Belém-PA 66093-020, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriela de Paula Arrifano
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Federal University of Pará, Belém-PA 66075-110, Brazil
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
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16
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Freire MAM, Santana LNS, Bittencourt LO, Nascimento PC, Fernandes RM, Leão LKR, Fernandes LMP, Silva MCF, Amado LL, Gomes-Leal W, Crespo-Lopez ME, Maia CDSF, Lima RR. Methylmercury intoxication and cortical ischemia: Pre-clinical study of their comorbidity. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2019; 174:557-565. [PMID: 30865911 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Stroke is one of the main causes of human disability worldwide. Ischemic stroke is mostly characterized by metabolic collapse and fast tissue damage, followed by secondary damage in adjacent regions not previously affected. Heavy metals intoxication can be associated with stroke incidence, because of their damaging action in the vascular system. Mercury, in particular, possesses a high tropism by metabolically active regions, such as the brain. In the present study we sought to evaluate whether methylmercury (MeHg) intoxication can aggravate the tissue damage caused by an ischemic stroke induced by microinjections of endothelin-1 (ET-1) into the motor cortex of adult rats. Following MeHg intoxication by gavage (0.04 mg/kg/day) during 60 days, the animals were injected with ET-1 (1 μl, 40 pmol/μl) or vehicle (1 μl). After 7 days, all animals were submitted to behavioral tests and then their brains were processed to biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses. We observed that long-term MeHg intoxication promoted a significant Hg deposits in the motor cortex, with concomitant increase of microglial response, followed by reduction of the neuronal population following ischemia and MeHg intoxication, as well as disturbance in the antioxidant defense mechanisms by misbalance of oxidative biochemistry with increase of both lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels, associated to behavioral deficits. MeHg exposure and cortical ischemia demonstrated that both injuries are able of causing significant neurobehavioural impairments in motor coordination and learning accompanied of an exacerbated microglial activation, oxidative stress and neuronal loss in the motor cortex, indicating that MeHg as a source of metabolic disturbance can act as an important increasing factor of ischemic events in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luana Nazaré S Santana
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Oliveira Bittencourt
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Priscila Cunha Nascimento
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Rafael Monteiro Fernandes
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Luana Ketlen R Leão
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Luanna Melo P Fernandes
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Marcia Cristina F Silva
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Lílian Lund Amado
- Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Walace Gomes-Leal
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuroprotection and Neuroregeneration, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Cristiane do Socorro F Maia
- Laboratory of Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
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