Abstract

BackgroundLead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic are the priority heavy metals of major public health concern in industrialized countries. Exposure to them can cause cognitive impairment and depressive disorders through an effect on Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is an important biomarker of pregnancy. Despite a number of prior studies on heavy metals pollution, there is few of studies on the effect of heavy metals on BDNF during early pregnancy. This study aims to examine the association between maternal blood heavy metals concentrations and BDNF during the first trimester pregnancy among Myanmar migrants in Thailand.MethodologyThis cross sectional study, a part of ongoing birth cohort was conducted at the antenatal care clinic from June to October 2018. A total of 108 with Myanmar migrant pregnancy with a single viable fetus of 0 to 14 gestation weeks who stayed within the industrial plant at least 3 months before were recruited. Socio-demographic characteristics and health behaviors were accessed using a self-report questionnaire. Maternal blood heavy metals (lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As)) were measured using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and plasma BDNF was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate binary logistic regression were modeled to access the association.ResultsMedian (interquartile rank: IQR) concentrations were: BDNF (6.49 (1.79) μg/ml), Pb (2.77 (1.46) μg/dL), Hg (0.62 (0.54) μg/dL), Cd (0.93(0.86) μg/L) and As (0.40 (0.11) μg/dL) respectively. We categorized BDNF concentrations into high (> median) (n = 54) and low (≤ median) (n = 54) groups. After adjusting for potential confounders, high blood total arsenic concentration had 2.6-fold increased odds (aOR = 2.603, 95% CI: 1.178, 5.751) of low plasma BDNF level as compared with low blood total arsenic group. However, there was no significant association between BDNF and Pb, Hg and Cd.ConclusionsThe present findings demonstrate higher blood total arsenic level were more likely to have lower BDNF in early pregnancy. Our study suggested that heavy metal could be worsen BDNF level which plays its important role on biological effect of maternal depressive disorder and newborn neurodevelopment.

Highlights

  • More than 25 percent of global burden of disease is related to environmental toxic heavy metals exposure [1]

  • Exposure to them can cause cognitive impairment and depressive disorders through an effect on Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is an important biomarker of pregnancy

  • This study aims to examine the association between maternal blood heavy metals concentrations and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factror (BDNF) during the first trimester pregnancy among Myanmar migrants in Thailand

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Summary

Introduction

More than 25 percent of global burden of disease is related to environmental toxic heavy metals exposure [1]. Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) are highly toxic metals They have been identified as among the priority metals of public health importance by the World Health Organization [3]. Prenatal exposure to these heavy metals is a growing concern because of its adverse effects on the pregnancy resulting an array of negative consequences [4]. The level of heavy metals in maternal blood and its effects on pregnant women has been evaluated in many previous studies. To the best of our knowledge, there is a little know from previous research investigating the association between heavy metals exposure and the important elements of the brain including BDNF in pregnant women.

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