Endothelial function and serum concentration of toxic metals in frequent consumers of fish.
BACKGROUND
Endothelial dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Consumption of fish is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk, but there is paucity of data concerning its effect on endothelial function. Furthermore, investigation of the effects of fish consumption on health must take into account the ingestion of contaminants, including transition metals and some metalloids, which may have unfavorable effects on health, including those on the cardiovascular system. We investigated the association between fish consumption, endothelial function (flow mediated dilation of the brachial artery), and serum concentration of some toxic metals in apparently healthy people.


METHODS
Twenty-nine high fish consumers (at least 3 portions a week) were compared with 25 low fish consumers (less than 1 portion a week). All participants were free of diabetes, cardiovascular or other systemic diseases. Serum metal (antimonium, arsenic, mercury, lead, cobalt, copper, zinc, selenium, strontium) concentrations were measured in subgroups of 24 high fish consumers and 19 low fish consumers.


RESULTS
Both groups exhibited similar habitual dietary patterns, age and anthropometric characteristics. The high fish consumers had higher flow mediated dilation (9.7 ± 1.8 vs. 7.3 ± 1.9%; P<0.001), but also higher serum concentrations of mercury (5.87 ± 2.69 vs. 1.65 ± 1.10 mcg/L; P<0.001) and arsenic (6.04 ± 3.25 vs. 2.30 ± 1.58 mcg/L; P<0.001). The fasting plasma glucose concentrations were significantly correlated with both mercury (r = 0.39; P = 0.01) and arsenic concentrations (r = 0.55; P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Habitual consumption of high amounts of fish is associated with better endothelial function despite higher serum concentrations of mercury and arsenic.
Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica Laboratorio di Nutrizione Clinica, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Silvio
S
Buscemi
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Sonya
S
Vasto
Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Francesca
F
Di Gaudio
Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Grosso
Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care, Policlinico San Donato, San Donato, Milan, Italy.
Sonia
S
Bergante
Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Fabio
F
Galvano
Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Fatima Maria
FM
Massenti
Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Emanuele
E
Amodio
Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica Laboratorio di Nutrizione Clinica, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Rosafio
Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica Laboratorio di Nutrizione Clinica, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Salvatore
S
Verga
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination; D000075322:Heavy Metal Poisoning; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011041:Poisoning; D012307:Risk Factors
D019216:Metals, Heavy