BACKGROUND: A beneficial role of fish consumption on the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) has been reported and is mostly ascribed to n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids. However, fish also contains methylmercury, which may increase the risk of MI. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine how fish consumption and erythrocyte concentrations of mercury (Ery-Hg) and selenium (Ery-Se) are related to the risk of MI and whether n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) in plasma phospholipids (P-EPA+DHA) are protective. DESIGN: This was a case-control study nested within the northern Sweden cohort, in which data and samples were collected prospectively. The study included 431 cases with an MI after data and sample collection, including 81 sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) and 499 matched controls. Another 69 female cases with controls from a breast cancer screening registry were included in sex-specific analyses. RESULTS: Odds ratios for the third compared with the first tertile were 0.65 (95% CI: 0.46, 0.91) for Ery-Hg, 0.75 (95% CI: 0.53, 1.06) for Ery-Se, and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.54, 1.11) for P-EPA+DHA. Ery-Hg and P-EPA+DHA were intercorrelated (Spearman's R = 0.34). No association was seen for reported fish consumption. Multivariate modeling did not change these associations significantly. Sex-specific analyses showed no differences in risk associations. High concentrations of Ery-Se were associated with an increased risk of SCD. CONCLUSIONS: The biomarker results indicate a protective effect of fish consumption. No harmful effect of mercury was indicated in this low-exposed population in whom Ery-Hg and P-EPA+DHA were intercorrelated.
BACKGROUND: A beneficial role of fish consumption on the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) has been reported and is mostly ascribed to n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids. However, fish also contains methylmercury, which may increase the risk of MI. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine how fish consumption and erythrocyte concentrations of mercury (Ery-Hg) and selenium (Ery-Se) are related to the risk of MI and whether n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) in plasma phospholipids (P-EPA+DHA) are protective. DESIGN: This was a case-control study nested within the northern Sweden cohort, in which data and samples were collected prospectively. The study included 431 cases with an MI after data and sample collection, including 81 sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) and 499 matched controls. Another 69 female cases with controls from a breast cancer screening registry were included in sex-specific analyses. RESULTS: Odds ratios for the third compared with the first tertile were 0.65 (95% CI: 0.46, 0.91) for Ery-Hg, 0.75 (95% CI: 0.53, 1.06) for Ery-Se, and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.54, 1.11) for P-EPA+DHA. Ery-Hg and P-EPA+DHA were intercorrelated (Spearman's R = 0.34). No association was seen for reported fish consumption. Multivariate modeling did not change these associations significantly. Sex-specific analyses showed no differences in risk associations. High concentrations of Ery-Se were associated with an increased risk of SCD. CONCLUSIONS: The biomarker results indicate a protective effect of fish consumption. No harmful effect of mercury was indicated in this low-exposed population in whom Ery-Hg and P-EPA+DHA were intercorrelated.
Authors: Ingvar A Bergdahl; Margareta Ahlqwist; Lars Barregard; Cecilia Björkelund; Ann Blomstrand; Staffan Skerfving; Valter Sundh; Maria Wennberg; Lauren Lissner Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2012-02-18 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Margaret R Karagas; Anna L Choi; Emily Oken; Milena Horvat; Rita Schoeny; Elizabeth Kamai; Whitney Cowell; Philippe Grandjean; Susan Korrick Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2012-01-24 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Karin S Engström; Maria Wennberg; Ulf Strömberg; Ingvar A Bergdahl; Göran Hallmans; Jan-Håkan Jansson; Thomas Lundh; Margareta Norberg; Gerda Rentschler; Bengt Vessby; Staffan Skerfving; Karin Broberg Journal: Environ Health Date: 2011-04-19 Impact factor: 5.984
Authors: Lena Maria Nilsson; Anna Winkvist; Magritt Brustad; Jan-Håkan Jansson; Ingegerd Johansson; Per Lenner; Bernt Lindahl; Bethany Van Guelpen Journal: Int J Circumpolar Health Date: 2012-05-04 Impact factor: 1.228
Authors: Johan Nilsson Sommar; Maria K Svensson; Bodil M Björ; Sölve I Elmståhl; Göran Hallmans; Thomas Lundh; Staffan M I Schön; Staffan Skerfving; Ingvar A Bergdahl Journal: Environ Health Date: 2013-01-23 Impact factor: 5.984