Exploring the relationship between metal exposure, BDNF, and behavior in adolescent males
Metadata
Show full item recordAuthor
Rodríguez Carrillo, Andrea; Mustieles Miralles, Vicente; Gil Hernández, Fernando; Olmedo Palma, Pablo; Reina Pérez, Iris; Mundo, Antonio; Molina, Marina; Freire, Carmen; Fernández Cabrera, Mariana FátimaEditorial
Elsevier
Materia
Metals Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Behavior Human biomonitoring Effect biomarkers HBM4EU DNA methylation
Date
2021-10-28Referencia bibliográfica
Andrea Rodríguez-Carrillo... [et al.]. Exploring the relationship between metal exposure, BDNF, and behavior in adolescent males, International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, Volume 239, 2022, 113877, ISSN 1438-4639, [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113877]
Sponsorship
Instituto de Salud Carlos III European Commission PT17/0019; European Commission; European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program HBM4EU 733032; Instituto de Salud Carlos III CP16/00085 FIS 17/01526 FIS-PI16/01820 FIS-PI16/01858; University of Granada; Biomedical Research Networking Center-CIBER de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica (CIBERESP); Spanish Government FPU 16/03011; Miguel Servet Type I program of the ISCIII "Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional" (ISCIII/FEDER) MS16/00085Abstract
Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in brain development by regulating
multiple pathways within the central nervous system. In the Human Biomonitoring for Europe Project
(HBM4EU), this neurotrophin is being implemented as a novel effect biomarker to evaluate the potential threats
of environmental chemicals on neurodevelopment.
Objectives: To explore the relationships among exposure to environmental metals, BDNF biomarkers at two levels
of biological complexity, and behavioral function in adolescent males.
Methods: Data were gathered from 125 adolescents on: spot urine sample total concentrations of the neurotoxic
metal(oid)s arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb); serum BDNF protein concentrations; and
concurrent behavioral functioning according to the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL/6–18). In 113 of the participants,
information was also collected on blood BDNF DNA methylation at six CpGs. Associations were
evaluated by multivariate linear regression analysis adjusted for confounders.
Results: As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were detected in 100%, 98.5%, 97.0%, and 89.5% of urine samples, respectively.
Median serum BDNF concentration was 32.6 ng/mL, and total percentage of BDNF gene methylation was 3.8%.
In the adjusted models, urinary As was non-linearly associated with more internalizing problems and Cd with
more externalizing behaviors. The percentage BDNF DNA methylation at CPGs #5 and the mean percentage CpG
methylation increased across As tertiles (p-trend = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively), while 2nd tertile and 3rd tertile
of Cd concentrations were associated with lower serum BDNF and higher CpG3 methylation percentage. Additionally,
when BDNF was categorized in tertiles, serum BDNF at the 3rd tertile was associated with fewer
behavioral problems, particularly withdrawn (p-trend = 0.04), social problems (p-trend = 0.12), and thought
problems (p-trend = 0.04).
Conclusion: Exposure to As and Cd was associated with BDNF gene DNA methylation BDNF gene and serum
BDNF, respectively. Associations with DNA methylation may be attributable to a higher variability over time in
circulating BDNF concentrations than in the methylation status of this gene. Caution should be taken when
interpreting the results relating postnatal Pb and Hg to behavioral functioning. Further studies are needed to
verify these findings.