Banca de DEFESA: MAIARA INGRID CAVALCANTE QUEIROZ

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MAIARA INGRID CAVALCANTE QUEIROZ
DATE: 23/02/2024
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: SALA DE PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO - PPGQB
TITLE:

EFFECTS OF CHRONIC MERCURY EXPOSURE IN FISHERMEN (MUNDAÚ-MANGUABA ESTUARINE COMPLEX – CELMM) AND IN A HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC ANIMAL MODEL.

KEY WORDS:

Mercury; Environmental contamination; Oxidative stress; Atherosclerosis; Mitochondria 

PAGES: 140
BIG AREA: Ciências Exatas e da Terra
AREA: Química
SUMMARY:

Mercury is a toxic metal that can cause environmental damage, and human exposure to these contaminants can result in oxidative stress, potentially causing various comorbidities. In the state of Alagoas, the Mundaú Lagoon, part of the Mundaú-Manguaba Estuarine Complex (CELMM), is an important source of subsistence for the population. However, according to recent data from our group, metal contamination, particularly with emphasis on Hg, has led to damage throughout the chain dependent on this environment, including the blood cells of fishermen in that locality. Therefore, one of the objectives of our work was to assess the redox state, functional and structural changes in blood cells of people living around the CELMM. In the same context of Hg contamination, there is a relationship between blood Hg levels and the development of cardiovascular diseases. Within the scope of cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, which can lead to acute myocardial infarction. Thus, we used LDLr - / - knockout mice as a study model, which results in increased circulation of cholesterol-rich lipoprotein, leading to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. In these animals (LDLr - / - ), we evaluated whether treatment with HgCl2 (30 days, 0.5 mg Kg-1) would have an additive effect on such pathology. In the human study, we assessed blood cells (60 fishermen and 65 controls), where higher levels of Hg were observed. In red blood cells, there was a decrease in functionality, structural alteration in hemoglobin, and impairment of the redox system. Furthermore, in fishermen, lymphocytes showed an exacerbated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, in our study with LDLr - / - mice treated with HgCl2, red blood cells demonstrated a decrease in functionality; changes in white blood cells, an increase in phagocytic activity, accumulation of Hg in organs, as well as alterations in renal and hepatic function, and even greater cytokine release. In isolated liver mitochondria, there was impairment in respiration and the integrity of the organelle, along with an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation. In this overall context, our results show that regardless of the model used, Hg contamination leads to systemic damage in the organism.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externo(a) à Instituição - MARCUS FERNANDES DE OLIVEIRA - UFRJ
Presidente - 2022362 - ANA CATARINA REZENDE LEITE
Interno(a) - 3182336 - EDEILDO FERREIRA DA SILVA JUNIOR
Externo(a) à Instituição - HELENA COUTINHO FRANCO DE OLIVEIRA