Seafood Risk-benefit Methylmercury and nutrient interactions in the development of life style diseases.

Methyl mercury (MeHg) is a contaminant and environmental hazard that may occur in the food we eat. MeHg is the form of Hg which is considered to be most toxic to humans and deposited in water and accumulates upward in the food chain. Fish therefore become the most important source of exposure to MeHg in humans. Although fish are an important source of exposure to MeHg, fish also contain a number of nutrients that have different beneficial effects in humans such as marine fatty acids, selenium, iodine, protein and vitamin D. In this project, we have specifically investigated how selenium can counteract the effects of mercury by reducing the absorption of mercury to both the brain and other tissues. The experiments are performed both in zebrafish and in mice.

Hovedmålet i dette prosjektet var å bidra til å redusere kunnskapshull som er identifisert i den siste nytte-risiko-evalueringen av sjømat (FAO / WHO, 2011) relatert til metylkvikksølv (MeHg). Vi ønsket å fokusere å forstå de mekanismene som ligger til grunn for effektene på et molekylært nivå. Gjennom prosjektet av vi samlet relevant kunnskap om risiko og nytte av sjømatinntaket og konsekvenser for forbrukernes helse. Dessverre er ikke alle resultatene foreløpig publisert. Men, prosjektet har i stor grad medvirket til å utvikle vitenskapelig dybde og kvalitet på forskning innen fiskeernæring og sjømattrygghet og helse. Målet var også å ansette tre unge forskere/postdoktorer. Tre unge forskere/postdoktorer har vært 30% til 100% finansiert gjennom i dette prosjektet. Prosjektet har derfor medvirket til at tre talentfulle unge forskere fikk videreutvikle seg. Alle tre er nå fast ansatt ved HI.

This project will contribute to decrease the knowledge gaps identified in the recent risk-benefit evaluation of seafood (FAO/WHO, 2011) related to methylmercury (MeHg) and seafood nutrients interactions in the development and progression of non-communicab le diseases. Mercury is a globally dispersed contaminant, and despite efforts to limit environmental contamination by a number of countries, mercury contamination of seafood will continue. Methylmercury, the organic form of mercury accumulate the the aqua tic food chain and represent a potential health risk for the consumers. Marine omega-3 fatty acids (EPA; 20:5n-3 and DHA; 22:6n-3) have been reported to be beneficial where MeHg is reported to be detrimental. For instance, marine omega-3 fatty acid protec t against whereas MeHg is suggested to contribute to development of certain neurological and cardiovascular diseases. In addition to marine omega-3 fatty acids, selenium (Se) may ameliorate toxicity through binding to MeHg and thereby reducing its bioavai lability and biological activity. Therefore, the current project will aim to increase the knowledge on impact of MeHg on development and progression cardiovascular disease (CVD) and neuro-degenerative disorders (NDD) and explore the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, the possible role of MeHg on other of life style diseases, such as obesity and type-2 diabetes (T2D) will be investigated. Basic molecular mechanisms being affected by MeHg and marine omega-3 fatty acids, seafood proteins or selenium will be studied to improve understanding of MeHg toxic effects and possible ameliorating effects of seafood nutrients. The knowledge obtained through this project will contribute to future risk benefit evaluations of methylmercury and seafood nutrients.