Towards Therapeutic Alternatives for Mercury Neurotoxicity in the Amazon: Unraveling the Pre-Clinical Effects of the Superfruit Açaí (Euterpe oleracea, Mart.) as Juice for Human Consumption.

Abstract

Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure is a serious problem of public health, especially in the Amazon. Exposure in riverine populations is responsible for neurobehavioral abnormalities. It was hypothesized that consumption of Amazonian fruits could protect by reducing mercury accumulation. This work analyzed the effects of commercial samples of Euterpe oleracea (EO) for human consumption (10 μL/g) against MeHg i.p. exposure (2.5 mg/Kg), using neurobehavioral (open field, rotarod and pole tests), biochemical (lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels), aging-related (telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mRNA expression) and toxicokinetic (MeHg content) parameters in mice. Both the pole and rotarod tests were the most sensitive tests accompanied by increased lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels in brains. MeHg reduced TERT mRNA about 50% demonstrating a strong pro-aging effect. The EO intake, similar to that of human populations, prevented all alterations, without changing the mercury content, but avoiding neurotoxicity and premature aging of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Contrary to the hypothesis found in the literature on the possible chelating properties of Amazonian fruits consumption, the effect of EO would be essentially pharmacodynamics, and possible mechanisms are discussed. Our data already support the regular consumption of EO as an excellent option for exposed Amazonian populations to have additional protection against MeHg intoxication.

• Authors: Maria Elena Crespo-López, Ericks Sousa Soares, Barbarella de Matos Macchi, Leticia Santos-Sacramento, Priscila Yuki Takeda, Amanda Lopes-Araújo, Ricardo Sousa de Oliveira Paraense, José Rogério Souza-Monteiro, Marcus Augusto-Oliveira, Diandra Araújo Luz, Cristiane do Socorro Ferraz Maia, Hervé Rogez, Marcelo de Oliveira Lima, João Paulo Pereira, Diomar Cavalcante Oliveira, Rommel Rodrigues Burbano, Rafael Rodrigues Lima, José Luiz Martins do Nascimento, Gabriela de Paula Arrifano
• Journal: Nutrients (Nutrients) Vol. 11 Issue 11 (Oct 26 2019) ISSN: 2072-6643 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 31717801 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Neurotoxins
• Plant Extracts
• Mercury

Topics

• Animals
• Antioxidants (pharmacology)
• Behavior, Animal (drug effects)
• Brain Chemistry (drug effects)
• Euterpe
• Fruit and Vegetable Juices
• Lipid Peroxidation (drug effects)
• Male
• Mercury (toxicity)
• Mice
• Motor Skills (drug effects)
• Neurotoxins (toxicity)
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Telomere (drug effects)