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Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation
Published on: June 17, 2015
Selenium as a potential protective factor against mercury developmental neurotoxicity.
Anna L Choi1, Esben Budtz-Jørgensen, Poul J Jørgensen
1Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. achoi@hsph.harvard.edu
Environmental Research
|September 15, 2007
Summary
Selenium (Se) did not protect against methylmercury (MeHg) neurotoxicity in human birth cohorts. Prevention strategies should focus on reducing MeHg exposure from seafood, not increasing Se intake.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neurotoxicology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in humans often occurs through seafood consumption, which also contains beneficial nutrients like selenium (Se).
- The potential protective role of dietary Se against MeHg neurotoxicity in human populations remains unclear.
- Understanding this interaction is crucial for public health guidance regarding seafood consumption during pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential protective effects of selenium (Se) against methylmercury (MeHg) neurotoxicity in human infants.
- To assess the interaction between cord blood mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) levels and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- To inform public health recommendations on seafood consumption and nutrient intake.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of two birth cohorts from the Faroe Islands (1986–1987 and 1994–1995).
- Measurement of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) in cord whole blood.
- Neurodevelopmental and neurological assessments at age 7 years, with prior assessments in the smaller cohort.
- Statistical modeling to evaluate Hg and Se interactions on neurodevelopmental outcomes, adjusting for risk factors.
Main Results:
- Cord blood selenium levels were substantially higher than methylmercury levels (average 10-fold molar excess).
- Regression analyses revealed no consistent protective effects of Se or statistically significant interaction terms between Se and MeHg.
- No evidence supported Se as a significant protective factor against MeHg-induced neurotoxicity in this population.
Conclusions:
- Dietary selenium does not appear to be a significant protective factor against methylmercury neurotoxicity in humans.
- Public health recommendations should prioritize reducing methylmercury exposure from seafood rather than increasing selenium intake.
- Further research is needed to identify other nutrients in fish that may confer protective benefits against mercury toxicity.
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