Exploring the role of developmental life stage on nutrient-toxicant interactions between methylmercury, selenium, and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids

这项研究将调查硒和ω-3脂肪酸保护汞对神经和心血管系统有害影响的方法和途径。为此，我们将探索汞、硒和omega-3脂肪酸在胃肠道（即吸收到体内之前）以及毒性作用部位（即吸收到血液中之后）之间的相互作用。在短期内，该研究计划的重点将是第一民族（Dehcho地区，NT）和因纽特人（Nunavik，QC）传统食品中汞和营养素的水平和类型。加拿大人的健康取决于许多种类食物的质量和安全：从商店购买到野生收获到自家种植。在从食物中获取营养的同时，人们可能会接触到潜在的有害金属。食物中的汞导致的健康问题从轻微到严重不等，这在很大程度上取决于所食用食物中汞的含量和形式。加拿大北方的原住民和因纽特人面临着特别高的甲基汞暴露，甲基汞是最有毒的汞形式。重要的是要记住，原住民和因纽特人的汞的主要来源往往也是最有营养的食物选择，包括健康脂肪和基本元素。因此，试图限制原住民接触传统食物中的汞可能弊大于利。以前的研究表明，某些营养素（如硒，欧米茄-3脂肪酸）偶尔能够抵消汞的风险。但是，目前还不清楚这些营养物质-污染物的相互作用是否与汞的所有有害影响有关，或者只是其中的一部分。** 在这项研究的过程中，我和我的学生将：i）确定哪些因素控制着胃肠道吸收金属的可用性，ii）确定硒和omega-3脂肪酸是否可以在细胞培养模型中保护汞的毒性作用，iii）在啮齿动物模型中进行评估汞，硒和omega-3相互作用的试点工作。这项工作将提供必要的信息，以更好地平衡土著传统食品的毒理学风险和营养益处。此外，这项研究将为我未来的工作奠定基础，研究污染物风险和营养素益处的平衡如何在性别之间存在差异，以及如何在一生中发生变化。

This research will investigate the ways and means by which selenium and omega-3 fatty acids protect against mercury's harmful effects to the nervous and cardiovascular systems. To do so, we will explore the interactions between mercury, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids in the gastrointestinal tract (i.e. prior to absorption into the body) as well as at the sites of toxic action (i.e. following absorption into the bloodstream). Over the short term, the focus of this program of study will be on levels and types of mercury and nutrients within the traditional foods of First Nations (Dehcho Region, NT) and Inuit (Nunavik, QC).******The health of Canadians depends upon the quality and safety of many kinds of foods: from store-bought to wild-harvested to home-grown. At the same time as gaining sustenance from food, people can be exposed to potentially harmful metals. The health problems that result from mercury in food can range from the subtle to the severe, largely depending on the level and form of the mercury in the foods being eaten. First Nations and Inuit in northern Canada face particularly high exposures to methylmercury, the most toxic form of mercury. It is important to remember though that the primary sources of mercury for First Nations and Inuit are often also the most nourishing food options in terms of healthy fats and essential elements. Therefore, attempts to limit Aboriginal exposure to mercury from traditional foods have the potential to do more harm than good. Previous research has shown that particular nutrients (e.g. selenium, omega-3 fatty acids), are occasionally able to offset mercury risks. But, it's not yet understood whether or not these nutrient-contaminant interactions are relevant to all of mercury's harmful effects or just a subset of them. ******Over the course of this research, my students and I will: i) identify what factors control the availability of metals for uptake from the gastrointestinal tract, ii) determine whether selenium and omega-3 fatty acids protect against mercury's toxic effects in cell culture models and iii) conduct pilot work evaluating mercury, selenium, and omega-3 interactions in a rodent model. This work will provide information needed to better balance the toxicological risks and nutritional benefits of Aboriginal traditional foods. Furthermore, this research will lay the foundation for my future work looking at how the balance of contaminant risks and nutrient benefits differs between the sexes and can change over one's lifetime.**