Affiliation:
1. Applied Medical Chemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt
2. Marine Pollution Department, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Ministry of Scientific Research, Egypt
Abstract
Background. When heavy metals accumulate in air, soil, and water, the risk of human exposure increases among industrial workers, as well as in people living near polluted areas. Heavy metals adversely affect a variety of bodily systems such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, immune, and reproductive systems. In addition, long-term exposure and accumulation of heavy metals in the body may disturb oxidative stress genes and thus increase the susceptibility to various diseases.
Objectives. The aim of this study is to estimate the metallothionein concentration in both mussel samples from Abu Qir Bay, Egypt and the blood of local fishermen as a biomarker of exposure to metal pollution.
Methods. Levels of metallothionein and heavy metals were measured in mussels. Blood levels of metallothionein and heavy metals of local fishermen were measured and compared with a control group. The effect of heavy metal exposure on oxidative stress status was investigated through the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase and glutathione content.
Results. The results of this study showed high concentrations of metallothionein in mussels and in fishermen's blood, accompanied by high concentrations of metals such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and zinc (Zn). At the same time, a significant decrease in glutathione content and catalase enzyme activity was associated with a significant increase in the malondialdehyde concentrations in sera of fishermen.
Conclusions. The present study found that the El Maadiya region is polluted with heavy metals, inducing oxidative stress in fishermen in the vicinity. These results reveal the necessity of further environmental monitoring in the study area in order to evaluate other types of pollutants and their effects on human health.
Subject
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Pollution
Reference39 articles.
1. A comparison of trace element concentrations in cultured and wild carp (Cyprinuscarpio) of Lake Kasumigaura, Japan;Alam;Ecotoxicol Environ Saf,2002
2. Risk probability due to heavy metals in bivalve from Egyptian Mediterranean coast;El Nemr;Egypt J Aquat Res,2012
3. The relationships between heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) levels and the size of six Mediterranean fish species;Canli;Environ Pollut,2003
4. Risk assessment of heavy metal contaminated Dagu River sediments;Sun;Procedia Environ Sci,2011
5. Total and leachable heavy metals in muddy and sandy sediments of Egyptian coast along Mediterranean Sea;El Nemr;Environ Monit Assess,2007
Cited by
11 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献