Genetic Effects of eNOS Polymorphisms on Biomarkers Related to Cardiovascular Status in a Population Coexposed to Methylmercury and Lead

• Published in: Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 69; no. 2; pp. 173 - 180
• Main Authors: Barcelos, Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron, De Marco, Kátia Cristina, de Rezende, Vânia Braghini, Braga, Gilberto Úbida Leite, Antunes, Lusânia Maria Greggi, Tanus-Santos, José Eduardo, Barbosa, Fernando
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.08.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - metabolism; Blood pressure; Blood Pressure - genetics; Brazil; Brazil - epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cardiovascular system; Chemiluminescence; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Environmental Health; Environmental Pollutants - metabolism; Environmental Pollutants - toxicity; Female; Genetic effects; Genetics; Heavy metals; Hemoglobin; Human exposure; Humans; Hypertension; Lead; Lead (metal); Lead - metabolism; Lead - toxicity; Male; Mass spectrometry; Mercury; Mercury (metal); Methylmercury; Methylmercury Compounds - metabolism; Methylmercury Compounds - toxicity; Middle Aged; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III - genetics; Nitrites - blood; Plasma; Pollution; Polymorphism; Population; Reference materials; Scientific imaging; Soil Science & Conservation; Studies; Young Adult; Brazil; Fish Intake; Nitric Oxide; Alcohol Consumption; Inductively Couple Plasma Mass Spectrometry; Diastolic Blood Pressure
• ISSN: 0090-4341; 1432-0703
• DOI: 10.1007/s00244-015-0137-8

The aim of the present study was to evaluate possible effects of endothelial nitric oxide synthase ( eNOS ) polymorphisms on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and on nitrite levels in plasma (NitP) in a population coexposed to methylhemoglobin (MeHg) and lead (Pb) in the Amazonian region, Brazil. Plasmatic levels of hemoglobin Hg (HgP) and Pb (PbP) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, whereas NitP were quantified by chemiluminescence. Genotyping was performed by conventional and restriction fragment length polymorphism–polymerase chain reaction assay. The population age ranged from 18 to 87 years (mean 40 ± 16), and the distribution between the sexes was homogenous (63 men and 50 women). Mean HgP and PbP were 7.1 ± 6.1 and 1.1 ± 1.1 µg L −1 , respectively. PbP was correlated to SBP and DBP, whereas no effects were observed for HgP on blood pressure. Subjects carrying the 4b allele in intron 4 presented greater SBP and DBP compared with those who had the 4a4a genotype. In addition, interactions between alcohol consumption and the −786 T/C polymorphism were observed on NitP, i.e., individuals carrying the polymorphic allele and drinkers had lower NitP. Taken together, our data give new insights concerning the genetic effects of eNOS polymorphisms on biomarkers related to cardiovascular status in populations coexposed to Hg and Pb.