Serum cytokines are associated with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and not with methylmercury measured in infant cord blood in the Seychelles child development study

Toni Spence, Alexis Zavez, Philip J Allsopp, Marie Conway, Alison J. Yeates, Maria S Mulhern, van Wijngaarden Edwin, JJ Strain, Gary Myers, Gene Watson, Philip Davidson, Conrad Shamlaye, Sally Thurston, Emeir M. McSorley

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2 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background
Maternal fish consumption increases infant methylmercury (MeHg) exposure and
polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations. The n-3 PUFA are regulators of inflammation while MeHg may impact the cord cytokine profile and, subsequently, contribute to immune mediated outcomes. This study aimed to investigate associations between infant MeHg exposure and cord cytokine concentrations while adjusting for cord PUFA.

Methods
We studied participants in the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS) Nutrition Cohort 2 (NC2), a large birth cohort in a high fish-eating population. Whole blood MeHg, serum PUFA and serum cytokine concentrations (IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-12p70, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-6 and IL-8) were measured in cord blood collected at delivery (n = 878). Linear regression examined associations
between infant MeHg exposure and cord cytokines concentrations, with and without adjustment for cord PUFA. An interaction model examined cord MeHg, cytokines and tertiles of the n-6:n-3 ratio (low/medium/high).

Results
There was no overall association between cord MeHg (34.08 ± 19.98 μg/L) and cytokine concentrations, with or without adjustment for PUFA. Increased total n-3 PUFA (DHA, EPA and ALA) was significantly associated with lower IL-10 (β = -0.667; p = 0.007) and lower total Th2 (IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13) (β = -0.715; p = 0.036). In the interaction model, MeHg and IL-1β was positive and significantly
different from zero in the lowest n-6:n-3 ratio tertile (β = 0.002, p = 0.03).

Conclusion
Methylmercury exposure from fish consumption does not appear to impact markers of inflammation in cord blood. The association of cord n-3 PUFA with lower IL-10 and total Th2 cytokines suggests that they may have a beneficial influence on the regulation of the inflammatory milieu. These findings are important for public health advice and deserve to be investigated in follow up studies.
Original languageEnglish
Article number112003
Number of pages8
JournalEnvironmental Research
Volume204
Issue numberPart A
Early online date4 Sept 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished online - 4 Sept 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by the United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (grants R01-ES010219 , R03-ES027514 , P30-ES01247 and T32-ES007271 ) and in kind by the Government of the Republic of Seychelles.

Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

  • Pregnancy
  • cytokines
  • immune response
  • methylmercury
  • PUFA

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