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Associations between methylmercury, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and antinuclear antibodies in young adults from the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS).

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 June 2020

Emeir M. McSorley
Affiliation:
Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom
Maria S. Mulhern
Affiliation:
Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom
Alison J. Yeates
Affiliation:
Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom
Donald Harrington
Affiliation:
School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, New York, USA
Edwin van Wijngaarden
Affiliation:
School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, New York, USA
Sally W. Thurston
Affiliation:
School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, New York, USA
Todd A. Jusko
Affiliation:
School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, New York, USA
Toni Spence
Affiliation:
Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom
Philip W. Davidson
Affiliation:
School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, New York, USA
Gary J. Myres
Affiliation:
School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, New York, USA
Gene E. Watson
Affiliation:
School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, New York, USA
Conrad F. Shamlaye
Affiliation:
Child Development Centre, Ministry of Health, Mahé, Seychelles
J.J. Strain
Affiliation:
Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom
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Abstract

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The association of MeHg exposure through fish consumption on human autoimmunity remains unclear. Fish also contain n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) that are known to regulate inflammation and mitigate autoimmune disease symptoms. We studied the association of low-level exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) through fish consumption in the SCDS. We examined this association at age 19 years in the SCDS Main Cohort (n = 497). We measured MeHg exposure at 3 time points [prenatal, weighted average (6 months to 19 years) and concurrent (19 years) and LCPUFA status and a panel of 13 autoimmune markers at age 19 years. The autoimmune markers included antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-dsDNA and anti-RNP, and total (non-specific) immunoglobulins (Ig) IgG, IgA, and IgM. A combined ANA variable was also calculated based on being within or above reference range for any of the ANA markers; 56% of the subjects met this criterion. Multivariable regression models adjusted for prenatal MeHg, sex and waist circumference, with and without adjustment for LCPUFA, were fit for the three MeHg exposure metrics and each immune marker. Mean (SD) prenatal, weighted average and concurrent MeHg was 6.84 (4.55), 7.46 (2.82), and 10.23 (6.02) ppm, respectively. Combined ANA was positively associated with concurrent MeHg following adjustment for the n6:n3 LCPUFA ratio (β = 0.036, 95%; CI: 0.001, 0.073). Prenatal and average MeHg exposures were not significantly associated with any individual ANA. IgM was negatively associated with concurrent (β = -0.016, 95%CI: -0.016, -0.002), and average (β = -0.042, 95%CI: -0.042, -0.009) MeHg exposure in the models adjusted for n-3, n-6 LCPUFA and when separately adjusted for the n6:n3 LCPUFA ratio. Total (19-year) n-3 PUFA status was negatively associated with anti-RNP (β = -20.355, 95%CI: -36.89, -4.34) and IgG (β = -1.384, 95%CI: -2.682, -0.087). Total n-3 LCPUFA was associated with lower markers of autoimmunity. MeHg exposure at 19 years was associated with higher ANA and lower IgM but only following adjustment for LCPUFA. The clinical significance of these findings is unclear and further research is warranted to determine if these associations precede autoimmune disease development.

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Copyright © The Authors 2020