Gundacker, Gyimesi, Forster et al. 2005
Gundacker, Gyimesi, Forster et al. 2005
GUNDACKER, C., K. GYIMESI, CH. FORSTER, G. KOMARNICKI, E. SCHUSTER, K. J. WITTMANN, 2005: Lifestyle characteristics associated with mercury (Hg) exposure and selenium (Se) status in Austria. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 49 (Suppl. 1): 399 (Abstract 5.8.6.). Abstracts 18th International Congress of Nutrition, September 19-23, 2005, Durban, South Africa.
The non-essential, potentially toxic metal mercury (Hg) accumulates along the food chain, especially Methyl-Hg, i.e. organic Hg, attains high levels in piscivorous fish. The essential selenium (Se) is regarded as the most important Hg antagonist, probably protecting against Hg toxicity. Fish and seafood contain both elements. No data were available for either Hg and Se contents of fish and seafood available in Austria, or Hg exposure of the Austrian population through fish consumption. To fill this gap of knowledge, blood samples of 78 women and 81 men (18 – 65 years of age) were analysed for Hg and Se concentrations. A food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary habits. Fish and seafood available at the Austrian market were also analysed for Hg and Se contents. Samples were wet ashed with nitric acid and -after hydride formation- analysed by CV-AAS (Hg), and AAS/heated quartz-cell (Se). Hg levels in fish and seafood partly exceeded the guideline value of 0.5 mg/kg. Because of higher Se concentrations, crustaceans and fish represent better sources of Se supply than octopus. Blood-Hg levels of the study group were low; only 4% exceeded 5 µg/L. Suboptimal Se status was found in sixteen percent of the study participants. The socioeconomic status was associated with dietary habits, which in turn had an impact on blood-Hg and -Se concentrations. Participants with higher levels of education consumed fish and seafood more frequently; this group showed clearly higher Hg and Se levels. Alcohol consumption correlated significantly with lower blood-Se concentrations. No correlation was found between Hg and Se in blood (r= -0.025; P= 0.762; N= 152), which implies the need for further research on the Hg/Se interaction.
mercury exposure; selenium status; general population; nutrition; fish food
Pisces; Homo sapiens