Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/106118
Title: Methylmercury Interactions With Gut Microbiota and Potential Modulation of Neurogenic Niches in the Brain
Authors: Pinto, Daniel V.
Raposo, Ramon S.
Matos, Gabriella A.
Alvarez-Leite, Jacqueline I.
Malva, João O. 
Oriá, Reinaldo B.
Keywords: methylmercury; neurogenesis; brain; intestinal microbiota; neurodegenerative diseases; gut dysbiosis
Issue Date: 2020
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Serial title, monograph or event: Frontiers in Neuroscience
Volume: 14
Abstract: Mercury (Hg) is a well-recognized biohazard for the nervous system. Methylmercury (MeHg) is an organic methylated form of Hg, highly toxic to humans, targeting the brain, as MeHg is rapidly absorbed, and easily reaches and crosses the blood-brain barrier (Takahashi et al., 2017). Neurological symptoms may vary from acute motor and visual effects to marked behavioral and psychiatric alterations. At higher neurotoxic levels, MeHg can lead to irreversible coma and, ultimately, death. It has been highlighted that MeHg long-term and low-grade toxicity may be associated with neurodegenerative disorders and perhaps a direct causality for Alzheimer’s disease (Siblerud et al., 2019). Although MeHg harmful effects to the brain have been thoroughly documented in the literature, such as increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, halted glutamate uptake by astrocytes and overt glutamate excitotoxicity, and activation of neuronal apoptosis cascades (Antunes dos Santos et al., 2016), less is known how MeHg affects the hippocampal neurogenic niche. Hence, in this opinion paper, we summarize up-to-date literature addressing MeHg effects on the intestinal microbiota, a key player influencing MeHg bioavailability and MeHg induction of intestinal dysbiosis (and vice-versa), and related intricate mechanisms during homeostasis and disease states. In addition, we discuss possible ways how MeHg may affect hippocampal neurogenesis and the potential lasting consequences for brain neurodegeneration.
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/106118
ISSN: 1662-4548
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.576543
Rights: openAccess
Appears in Collections:I&D CIBB - Artigos em Revistas Internacionais
I&D ICBR - Artigos em Revistas Internacionais

Show full item record

SCOPUSTM   
Citations

7
checked on Apr 29, 2024

WEB OF SCIENCETM
Citations

7
checked on Apr 2, 2024

Page view(s)

31
checked on Apr 30, 2024

Download(s)

20
checked on Apr 30, 2024

Google ScholarTM

Check

Altmetric

Altmetric


This item is licensed under a Creative Commons License Creative Commons