Lead (Pb) exposure is associated with changes in the expression levels of circulating miRNAS (miR-155, miR-126) in Mexican women.

The environmental contamination with lead (Pb) is considered a critical issue worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of circulating miRNAs (miR-155, miR-126, and miR-145) in Mexican women exposed to Pb. Blood lead levels (BLL) were assessed in enrolled women (n = 190) using an atomic absorption method. Also, serum miRNAs expression levels were quantified through a real-time PCR assay. A mean BLL of 10.5 ± 4.50 µg/dL was detected. Overexpression of miR-155 was detected in highly exposed women. Besides, a significant simple positive relationship (p < 0.05) was found between BLL and serum miR-155 expression levels. Additionally, a significant inverse correlation (p < 0.05) was determined between BLL and serum miR-126 expression levels, as downregulation of miR-126 expression levels was observed in highly exposed women. The findings in this study are the concern, as epigenetic changes detected may represent a connection between health illnesses and Pb exposure.

Effect of gene-environment interaction (arsenic exposure - PON1 Q192R polymorphism) on cardiovascular disease biomarkers in Mexican population.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the primary cause of death worldwide. However, little is known about how the interaction between risk factors affects CVDs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the gene-environment interaction (arsenic exposure x PON1 Q192R polymorphism) on serum levels of CVDs biomarkers in Mexican women. Urinary arsenic levels (UAs) ranged from 5.50-145 µg/g creatinine. The allele frequency was 0.38 and 0.62 for the Q and R alleles, respectively. Moreover, significant associations (p<0.05) were detected between UAs and CVDs biomarkers (ADMA, FABP4, and miR-155). Comparable data were found when CVDs biomarkers were evaluated through PON1 genotype, significant (p<0.05) higher serum concentrations of CVDs biomarkers were identified in R allele carriers compared to levels found in Q allele carriers. Besides, a gene-environment interaction was documented. The results of this study we believe should be of significant interest to regulatory authorities worldwide.

Probabilistic human health risk assessment associated with fluoride and arsenic co-occurrence in drinking water from the metropolitan area of San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

A major public health concern in Mexico is the natural contamination of groundwater with fluoride and arsenic. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the magnitude of human health risk after determining fluoride and arsenic concentrations in groundwater samples (n = 50) from the Metropolitan area of the city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Fluoride levels in water were determined via a potentiometric method using an ion-selective electrode. Arsenic concentrations in water samples were determined with an Atomic Absorption technique. Subsequently, a probabilistic health risk assessment was developed (Monte Carlo Analysis). Fluoride levels in water ranged from 0.20 to 3.50 mg/L. For arsenic, the mean level found in the assessed water samples was 15.5 ± 5.50 µg/L (range: 2.50-30.0 µg/L). In addition, when the probabilistic health risk assessment was completed, a mean HI (cumulative hazardous index) of higher than 1 was detected, indicating a high NCR (non-carcinogenic risk) for children and adults. According to the results found in this study, exposure protection campaigns are imperative in the Metropolitan area of the city of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, to successfully diminish exposure to arsenic and fluoride and, as a consequence, decrease the NCR in the population living in that region of Mexico.

Influence of Human Paraoxonase-1 Polymorphism (Q192R) on Serum Levels of Clinical Biomarkers Indicatives of Cardiovascular Diseases Risk in Mexican Women.

Human paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is a hydrolytic enzyme related in the onset, establishment, and progression of inflammatory illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Therefore, the primary goal of this investigation was to determinate the influence of the PON1 gene polymorphism (Q192R) on prognostic biomarkers of CVD in women (n = 350) from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. For everyone enrolled, anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical measurements were acquired. Q192R polymorphism of the PON1 gene was assessed by real-time PCR using TaqMan probes. Also, quantification and/or calculation of suggested predictive CVD biomarkers were completed. The association between PON1(Q192R) polymorphism with clinical predictive CVD biomarkers was assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Genotype PON1 (Q192R) frequencies were: 18%, 47% and 35% for QQ, QR, and RR, respectively. Besides, the frequency of the variant R allele was 0.58. Furthermore, robust significant associations were found between PON1 (Q192R) polymorphism with serum ADMA [OR (95% CI); 3.50 (1.20-5.00), p < 0.01]; FABP4 [2.50 (2.15-3.95), p < 0.01]; and miR-126 [1.50 (1.15-2.00), p < 0.01] levels after adjusting for probable confounders. Data found in this research strongly support the notion that proposes a crucial role of PON1 enzyme (Q192R polymorphism) as a genetic determinant in the CVD risk in Mexican women.

Atherogenic Index of Plasma: Novel Predictive Biomarker for Cardiovascular Illnesses.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most important cause of mortality globally. Nevertheless, the World Health Organization have declared that a precise and quick recognition of susceptible individuals to develop CVD is imperative to combat those illnesses. Additionally, developing countries need affordable alternatives to effectively prognosticate cardiovascular events. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess well-established clinical prognostic markers in Mexican women to identify affordable, specific, and useful tools to predict cardiovascular events. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed including 340 healthy women. Anthropometric and clinical measurements were acquired from all enrolled individuals. Also, a blood sample of each participant women was obtained to complete biochemical analyses (triglycerides, glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol), and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein (FABP4) determinations. Finally, with anthropometric, clinical and biochemical determinations, atherogenic indices (Framingham risk score, Castelli's risk index, and atherogenic index of plasma) were estimated. RESULTS: A mean value of 6.5 ± 7.2 was detected for the Framingham risk score, 3.7 ± 1.3 for Castelli's risk index, and 0.12 ± 0.22 for the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Circulating mean ADMA and FABP4 levels found in assessed women were 0.68 ± 0.34 mmol/L and 20.3 ± 16.6 ng/mL, respectively. Furthermore, strong positive relationships (p <0.05) between AIP and serum FABP4 and ADMA concentrations were detected after adjustment by traditional CVD risk factors. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, AIP could be recommended as a potential biomarker in the early diagnosis of CVD events in developing countries.

Urinary levels of 1-hydroxypyrene and health risk assessment in children living in Mexican communities with a high risk of contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Health complications have been associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure, a widespread environmental pollutants family. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to develop a probabilistic health risk evaluation (using Monte-Carlo simulation) in an infantile population living in areas with a high risk of pollution by PAHs (indoor wood combustion, brick kiln industry, municipal landfill, and low and high vehicular traffic) in Mexico. Urine samples were obtained from Mexican children (n = 135) and urinary 1-OHP concentrations (used as a PAHs biomarker) were quantified. Highest urinary 1-OHP concentrations were detected in children living in areas that use wood combustion as the principal indoor fuel (3.50 ± 0.95 µg/L). Nevertheless, estimated hazard quotients (HQ) lower than 1 were found in all assessed sites after Monte-Carlo analysis. Although HQ <1.0 (a toxic effect is not expected), more data are necessary to determine the real impact of PAHs exposure on children health status.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) levels in blood samples from children living in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

The aim of this study was to perform a polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) exposure assessment using blood samples collected from children living in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (GDL). Five congeners of PBDEs were analyzed using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry technique. The blood concentrations of total PBDEs ranged from 5.50 to 169 ng/g lipid (42.0 ± 18.0 ng/g lipid; mean ± standard deviation). Regarding BDE congeners, the main congener (highest blood levels) was BDE99 (14.5 ± 5.50 ng/g lipid), followed by BDE100 (9.80 ± 3.40 ng/g lipid) and BDE154 (9.80 ± 5.90 ng/g lipid), and finally BDE153 (5.80 ± 2.30 ng/g lipid) and BDE47 (2.20 ± 1.20 ng/g lipid). In conclusion, blood PBDEs concentrations of concern were detected in this study, as blood levels were similar to the ones found in North America (the highest worldwide).

Human Health Risks Assessment Associated with Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Soil from Different Contaminated Areas of Mexico.

Recent studies have documented environmental contamination by PCBs in soil from different areas in Mexico (industrial, mining, and urban sites). However, the real significance of that soil contamination has not been established. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a human health risk assessment (Monte Carlos simulation) to evaluate the probable toxic effects of soils contaminated with PCBs on children in four sites in Mexico. A high non-carcinogenic risk (total nHQ = 1.1E+01; if nHQ ≥1, hazardous health effects cannot be ruled out) was found in Alpuyeca, Morelos, Mexico. Moreover, the total CR (cancer risk) found in Alpuyeca, Morelos is of concern (total CR = 5.1E-03), being that a cut-point of 1.0E-06 has been suggested as a safe level for cancer risk. Taking into consideration the data shown in this research, we conclude that a strategy to protect human health is necessary for the assessed sites.

Concentrations of Environmental Chemicals in Urine and Blood Samples of Children from San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

Human biomonitoring (HBM) is an appreciated tool used to evaluate human exposure to environmental, occupational or lifestyle chemicals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure levels for environmental chemicals in urine and blood samples of children from San Luis Potosí, Mexico (SLP). This study identifies environmental chemicals of concern such as: arsenic (45.0 ± 15.0 µg/g creatinine), lead (5.40 ± 2.80 µg/dL), t,t-muconic acid (266 ± 220 µg/g creatinine), 1-hydroxypyrene (0.25 ± 0.15 µmol/mol creatinine), PBDEs (28.0 ± 15.0 ng/g lipid), and PCBs (33.0 ± 16.0 ng/g lipid). On the other hand, low mercury (1.25 ± 1.00 µg/L), hippuric acid (0.38 ± 0.15 µg/g creatinine) and total DDT (130 ± 35 ng/g lipid) exposure levels were found. This preliminary study showed the tool's utility, as the general findings revealed chemicals of concern. Moreover, this screening exhibited the need for HBM in the general population of SLP.