Relationship between RBC Mercury Levels and Serum n3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Concentrations among Japanese Men and Women

Mayumi Tsuji,Suminori Akiba,Chihaya Koriyama,Takao Kitano,Tetsuo Ando,Junji Wakamiya

doi:10.1155/2012/849305

Abstract

Aims. To evaluate potential health risk and benefits of fish consumption, the association of fish consumption with total mercury levels in red blood cells (RBCs) and serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) concentrations was examined. Subjects and Methods. Study subjects were 269 Japanese (98 men and 171 women) living in a remote island of Kagoshima, and their blood was drawn in 1994. Results. Total mercury levels were related to weekly fish consumption among women (P = 0.035) but not among men (P = 0.643). However, serum EPA levels were not related to fish consumption in both women and men. In contrast, EPA levels in the high-density ipoprotein (HDL) fraction of the sera were significantly related to fish consumption (P values for men and women were 0.014 and 0.073, resp.). Interestingly, mercury levels were related to serum EPA levels and EPA in the HDL fraction of the sera (P = 0.001) among women (P = 0.005) but not among men. Sex differences in fish species consumed may be an explanation for the observed sex difference. Conclusion. Those findings suggest that the health benefit of fish consumption can be maximized by the careful selection of fish species consumed.

Highlights

Fish consumption increases the intake of n3 series polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are reported to have health benefits
This study examined the association of fish consumption with blood mercury and serum EPA levels in order to examine potential health risk and benefits of fish consumption
Methyl-esterified fatty acids from either the total serum or the serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) fractions separated from the total serum by the precipitated method of dextran sulphate Mg++ [9] were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography on 5% Shinchrome E71 [10]

Summary

Introduction

Fish consumption increases the intake of n3 series polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are reported to have health benefits. It has been reported that n3-PUFA may decrease blood pressure [1] and ischemic heart disease risk [2, 3]. Fish consumption is associated with methyl mercury intake [4,5,6], which may cause adverse health effects. This study examined the association of fish consumption with blood mercury and serum EPA levels in order to examine potential health risk and benefits of fish consumption

Materials and Methods

Statistical Analysis

Results

Discussions

Limitation