Journal article
Association between heavy metal exposure and poor working memory and possible mediation effect of antioxidant defenses during aging
The Science of the total environment, Vol.575, pp.750-757
01/01/2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.121
PMID: 27670596
Abstract
Inverse associations have been observed between memory performance and blood concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Low antioxidant cell activity has also been linked to decline in memory due to aging. However, it has not yet been established whether the heavy metal-memory relationship is mediated by differences in antioxidant activity.
We examined Cd and Pb levels, as well as oxidative stress parameters, in blood samples from 125 older adults (age range 50–82years). The Counting Span Test (CST) was used to evaluate working memory capacity (WMC). The Monte Carlo Method for Assessing Mediation (MCMAM) was used to analyze the mediation role of antioxidant activity in the heavy metals-memory association.
High blood Cd (BCd) concentration alone, and in combination with elevated blood Pb (BPb) concentration, was associated with poor WMC (p≤0.001) and low enzymatic antioxidant defenses (p≥0.006). The variance in WMC accounted for by BCd or by BCd combine with BPb was 20.6% and 18.6%, respectively. The MCMAM revealed that the influence of BCd and BPb concentrations on WMC was mediated by low antioxidant capacity (confidence interval - CI: 0.072 to −0.064 for BCd; CI: −0.062 to −0.045 for BPb).
These findings showed Pb and Cd blood concentration in older adults, even at levels below the current recommended threshold, was negatively associated with WMC and that this relationship may be partly mediated by low antioxidant defenses. Knowledge on the environmental factors that negatively influence brain and cognition during aging can help inform public policy strategies to prevent and control the adverse effects of environmental contaminant exposure during aging.
Effects of lead and cadmium exposure on working memory performance and the mediation role of oxidative stress. [Display omitted]
•Poor cognitive outcomes have been associated with heavy metals exposure.•Cadmium alone and combined with lead was associated with poor working memory.•Low antioxidant capacity was associated with both cadmium and lead.•Cadmium and lead influence on memory may be mediated by low antioxidant defenses.•Strategies to prevent and control exposure to heavy metals must be reinforced.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Association between heavy metal exposure and poor working memory and possible mediation effect of antioxidant defenses during aging
- Creators
- Juliana Nery Souza-Talarico - Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 419, São Paulo, SP 05403000, BrazilTania Marcourakis - Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 580, São Paulo, SP 05434070, BrazilFernando Barbosa - Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040903, BrazilSilvia Berlanga Moraes Barros - Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 580, São Paulo, SP 05434070, BrazilDiogo Pineda Rivelli - Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 580, São Paulo, SP 05434070, BrazilSabine Pompéia - Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, São Paulo, SP 04023-062, BrazilPaulo Caramelli - Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Belo Horizonte, MG 30130100, BrazilPierrich Plusquellec - Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Mental Health Research Centre Fernand Seguin, Hospital Louis H. Lafontaine, Université de Montréal, 7401, rue Hochelaga, Montréal, Québec H1N 3M5, CanadaSonia J Lupien - Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Mental Health Research Centre Fernand Seguin, Hospital Louis H. Lafontaine, Université de Montréal, 7401, rue Hochelaga, Montréal, Québec H1N 3M5, CanadaRaphael Fernandes Catucci - Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 580, São Paulo, SP 05434070, BrazilAndrea Regiani Alves - Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 419, São Paulo, SP 05403000, BrazilDeborah Suchecki - Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, São Paulo, SP 04023-062, Brazil
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Science of the total environment, Vol.575, pp.750-757
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.121
- PMID
- 27670596
- NLM abbreviation
- Sci Total Environ
- ISSN
- 0048-9697
- eISSN
- 1879-1026
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/501100001807, name: São Paulo Research Foundation, award: 2009/13911-6; DOI: 10.13039/501100003593, name: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, award: 303449/2015-2
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2017
- Academic Unit
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Nursing
- Record Identifier
- 9984065473502771
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