Endothelial function and serum concentration of toxic metals in frequent consumers of fish

Silvio Buscemi, Sonya Vasto, Francesca Di Gaudio, Giuseppe Grosso, Sonia Bergante, Fabio Galvano, Fatima Maria Massenti, Emanuele Amodio, Giuseppe Rosafio, Salvatore Verga

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

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

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.

Conclusions: Habitual consumption of high amounts of fish is associated with better endothelial function despite higher serum concentrations of mercury and arsenic.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere112478
JournalPLoS One
Volume9
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 17 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Medicine(all)

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