A Study of the Contaminant Mixture of Lead, Cadmium and Methylmercury for Their Effects on Endothelial Function Under Conditions Typifying Specific Diets and Lifestyles for Northern Populations

Northern populations of Canada have recently seen increases in cardiovascular disease. Shifting from traditional protein-rich diets to western-diets and/or exposure to persistent environmental contaminants within those regions may be possible causes. Endothelial dysfunction is a primary event capable of initiating processes ultimately leading to cardiovascular disease. This study aims to understand changes occurring in endothelial function by exposure of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC), in vitro, to factors like high sugar/fat, alcohol and Northern contaminant heavy metals cadmium, lead and methylmercury. We found that endothelin-1 (ET-1), plasminogen activitor inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), 6-keto-Prostaglandin Flα (6-keto) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were significantly altered with exposure to high fat/sugar and contaminant mixture. Furthermore, high concentration of MeHg exposure significantly decreased HCAEC cell viability and reduced eNOS protein. Results suggest MeHg exposure, more so than diet, may cause endothelial dysfunction and puts Northern populations of Canada at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.