MT1A single Nucleotide Polymorphism and Blood Mercury Levels

Abstract

Introduction: The risk factors for the metallothionein (MT) polymorphism in concentrations of heavy metals, especially mercury, in the blood are subject to several confounding factors, including differences in the ethnicity of the population analyzed, the sample size, and the type of the studied environment heavy metals to which population is exposed. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the MT1A (A>G) and MT1A (C>G) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on blood mercury levels in the city of Ahvaz (located in southwest Iran).

Materials and Methods: 300 unexposed (control group) and 150 exposed (case group) were included. DNA extraction, PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing were performed, and blood mercury levels were determined by AAS method with DMA-80.

Results: Blood mercury levels in the case group were higher than those in the control group (p-value <0>G), with MT1A (C>G) polymorphism and P-values ​​of blood mercury levels of 0.69, 0.44, and 0.59. 0.56 for the case and control groups, respectively. Results showed that these two SNPs were not associated with mercury-induced toxicity in the case group despite high blood mercury levels and exposure.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this takes look shows that MT1A (A>G) and MT1A (C>G) polymorphisms aren't related to susceptibility to excessive blood mercury attention in individuals.