title: Interaction between mercury (Hg), arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) affects the activity of glutathione S-transferase in breast milk; possible relationship with fish and sellfish intake.
abstract: Breast milk is regarded as an ideal source of nutrients for the growth and development of neonates, but it can also be a potential source of pollutants. Mothers can be exposed to different contaminants as a result of their lifestyle and environmental pollution. Mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) could adversely affect the development of fetal and neonatal nervous system. Some fish and shellfish are rich in selenium (Se), an essential trace element that forms part of several enzymes related to the detoxification process, including glutathione S-transferase (GST). The goal of this study was to determine the interaction between Hg, As and Se and analyze its effect on the activity of GST in breast milk. Milk samples were collected from women between day 7 and 10 postpartum. The GST activity was determined spectrophotometrically; total Hg, As and Se concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. To explain the possible association of Hg, As and Se concentrations with GST activity in breast milk, generalized linear models were constructed. The model explained 44% of the GST activity measured in breast milk. The GLM suggests that GST activity was positively correlated with Hg, As and Se concentrations. The activity of the enzyme was also explained by the frequency of consumption of marine fish and shellfish in the diet of the breastfeeding women.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste. S.C. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195. Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur. La Paz. Baja California Sur. México.. r.gaxiolar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gaxiola-Robles
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste. S.C. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195. Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur. La Paz. Baja California Sur. México. Valley Life Sciences Bldg. Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. University of California. Berkeley. CA. USA.. vlabrada@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Labrada-Martagón
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Salud Pública. Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad de Guadalajara. Guadalajara. Jalisco. Mexico.. alfredo_celis@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Alfredo de Jesús
authors.initials: Ade J
authors.lastname: Celis de la Rosa
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste. S.C. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195. Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur. La Paz. Baja California Sur. México. Center for Stock Assessment Research. University of California Santa Cruz. Fisheries Ecology Division. Southwest Fisheries Science Center. NOAA. Santa Cruz. CA. USA.. bacosta04@cibnor.mx.
authors.forename: Baudilio
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Acosta-Vargas
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste. S.C. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195. Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur. La Paz. Baja California Sur. México.. lmendez04@cibnor.mx.
authors.forename: Lía Celina
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Méndez-Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste. S.C. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195. Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur. La Paz. Baja California Sur. México. Hospital General de Zona No.1. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. 5 de febrero y Héroes de la Independencia. Centro. La Paz Baja California Sur. México.. tzenteno04@cibnor.mx.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zenteno-Savín
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005502:Food; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012758:Shellfish
chemical_list: D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D008628:Mercury; D012643:Selenium; D001151:Arsenic