Bente Deutch

Smoking as a determinant of high organochlorine levels in Greenland

The authors investigated the accumulation of organochlorines among smoking and nonsmoking Inuit hunters (n = 48) in Uummanaq, Greenland, a population with high dietary exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Human plasma organochlorine levels were positively correlated with age, marine diet, and smoking or plasma cotinine in multiple linear-regression models (p < 0.001). Body mass index was inversely correlated with organochlorine accumulation, independent of smoking status. These findings confirm that the source of POPs among the Inuit in Greenland is diet, but smoking is an important determinant of POP bioaccumulation. Smoking cessation may provide a means to lower the body burden of POPs.

Menstrual discomfort in Danish women reduced by dietary supplements of omega-3 pufa and B12 (fish oil or seal oil capsules).

In a previous epidemiological survey among Danish women, menstrual pain prevalence (dysmenorrhea) was found to be inversely associated with dietary fishoil content (N-3 fatty acid) and B12-vitamin intake. The findings supported a hypothesis that menstrual cramps, which are prostaglandin mediated, can be influenced by dietary fatty acids and suggested a potential use of fish oil supplements as treatment of or prevention of dysmenorrhea. The aim of the study was to test this hypothesis. The study was designed as a double blind, placebo controlled trial, in which 78 dysmenorrheic young women were given 5 capsules a day of either fishoil, fishoil with B12, sealoil, or placebo consisting of “average” Danish fat, during a 3–4 months intervention period covering at least 3 menstrual periods. The compliance was followed by blood and gluteal fat lipid profiles. After about three months of treatment there was significant reduction in the number of reported menstrual symptoms and interference with daily activities in all three groups receiving marine oils, p<0.05. There were highly significant reductions in reported pain grade (categorical and visual analog scales) by fishoil with B12, and borderline significant effects of fishoil alone and of sealoil. Fishoil with B12 was consistently better than the other treatments and at a higher level of significance p<0.01 and its symptom reducing effects lasted for at least three months of washout period. The results of this clinically controlled trial thus confirm the previous epidemiological findings and suggest that dietary supplements with fish- or sealoil, enriched with, or in combination with B12 vitamin can substantially reduce menstrual discomfort.

AhR transcriptional activity in serum of Inuits across Greenlandic districts

BackgroundHuman exposure to lipophilic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDDs/PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticide is ubiquitous. The individual is exposed to a complex mixture of POPs being life-long beginning during critical developmental windows. Exposure to POPs elicits a number of species- and tissue-specific toxic responses, many of which involve the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The aim of this study was to compare the actual level of integrated AhR transcriptional activity in the lipophilic serum fraction containing the actual POP mixture among Inuits from different districts in Greenland, and to evaluate whether the AhR transactivity is correlated to the bio-accumulated POPs and/or lifestyle factors.MethodsThe study included 357 serum samples from the Greenlandic districts: Nuuk and Sisimiut (South West Coast), Qaanaaq (North Coast) and Tasiilaq (East Coast). The bio-accumulated serum POPs were extracted by ethanol: hexane and clean-up on Florisil columns. Effects of the serum extract on the AhR transactivity was determined using the Hepa 1.12cR mouse hepatoma cell line carrying an AhR-luciferase reporter gene, and the data was evaluated for possible association to the serum levels of 14 PCB congeners, 10 organochlorine pesticide residues and/or lifestyle factors.ResultsIn total 85% of the Inuit samples elicited agonistic AhR transactivity in a district dependent pattern. The median level of the AhR-TCDD equivalent (AhR-TEQ) of the separate genders was similar in the different districts. For the combined data the order of the median AhR-TEQ was Tasiilaq > Nuuk ≥ Sisimiut > Qaanaaq possibly being related to the different composition of POPs. In overall, the AhR transactivity was inversely correlated to the levels of sum POPs, age and/or intake of marine food.Conclusioni) We observed that the proportion of dioxin like (DL) compounds in the POP mixture was the dominating factor affecting the level of serum AhR transcriptional activity even at very high level of non DL-PCBs; ii) The inverse association between the integrated serum AhR transactivity and sum of POPs might be explained by the higher level of compounds antagonizing the AhR function probably due to selective POP bioaccumulation in the food chain.

The importance of diet on exposure to and effects of persistent organic pollutants on human health in the Arctic

Aim: To describe the importance of diet on exposure to and possible health effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Arctic. Methods: The study is based on a literature review. Results: Minor decreases in POPs and minor increases in Hg levels in Arctic populations in Greenland, Eastern Russia, Western Alaska and Eastern Canada are likely to occur by the year 2010 and major decreases in both POPs and Hg levels in these same populations by 2030. Levels of POPs and metals in populations in the Faeroe Islands and the Scandinavian countries are already reasonably low and are only likely to decline marginally by 2030. Estimating the effects on the basis of current knowledge is difficult, but the combination of improved methodology and selection of risk groups will be a progressive step in the process. Any strategies based on traditional food substitution should ensure that the value of the dietary components is sustained.

INCREASING OVERWEIGHT IN GREENLAND: SOCIAL, DEMOGRAPHIC, DIETARY AND OTHER LIFE-STYLE FACTORS

Abstract Objectives. In several Arctic countries, weight gain is very evident among the local populations and the percentages of overweight and obese persons are increasing rapidly. Since the development of overweight among the Arctic populations seems to coincide with the westernization of their diet and other life-style factors, it is tempting to hypothesize that the transition to carbohydrate-and fat-rich western food causes the weight gain. The high relative content of (n-3) fatty acids in traditional foods presumably provides some protection against cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and various other diseases of affluent industrialized societies. In the present study, we have investigated the recent weight gain in Greenland and have tried to relate it to social factors, present dietary habits and other life-styles. Study design. The cross-sectional study, which was part of the Arctic Monitoring and Assess Programme, included 410 men and women (18–49 years) from 5 districts in Greenland. It was based upon questionnaires including a dietary survey, anthropometric measurements and blood lipid analyses. Results. Obesity (Body Mass Index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2, corresponding to about 19% of the participants) increased with age, was most prevalent among higher household economic levels, and correlated with neither local, nor imported food intake. Conclusion. Overweight was not found to be correlated with either western, or traditional food composition. Obesity had adverse effects on several health indicators, serum triglyceride, HDL and the cardiovascular risk index, (Chol-HDL)/HDL and TG/HDL, counteracting the positive effects of (n-3) fatty acids and should be considered as a serious health risk for the Greenlandic population. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2005; 64(1):86–98)

Xenohormone transactivities are inversely associated to serum POPs in Inuit.

AbstractBackgroundThe persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are highly lipophilic and resistant to biodegradation and found in e.g. seafood and marine mammals. Greenlandic Inuit have high intake of marine food and thus high POP burden that varies according to local conditions and dietary preference. We do for the very first time report the serum POP related non-steroidal xenohormone activity of Inuit across Greenland. The aims were 1) to determine the integrated xenohormone bioactivities as an exposure biomarker of the actual lipophilic serum POP mixture measuring the effect on estrogen (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) transactivity in citizens from different Greenlandic districts and 2) to evaluate associations to serum POP markers (14 PCBs and 10 pesticides) and lifestyle characteristics.MethodsSerum samples from 121 men and 119 women from Nuuk, Sisimiut and Qaanaaq were extracted using SPE-HPLC fractionation to obtain the serum POP fraction free of endogenous hormones. The serum POP fraction was used for determination of xenohormone transactivity using ER and AR reporter gene assays.ResultsIn overall, the xenohormone transactivities differed between districts as well as between the genders. Associations between the transactivities and age, n-3/n-6 and smoker years were observed. The xenoestrogenic and xenoandrogenic transactivities correlated negatively to the POPs for the combined female and male data, respectively.ConclusionThe non-steroidal xenohormone transactivities can be used as an integrated biomarker of POP exposure and lifestyle characteristics. The actual serum POP mixtures antagonized the age adjusted sex hormone receptor functions. Comparison of different study populations requires in addition to age inclusion of diet and lifestyle factors.

SPECTRAL DEPENDENCE OF A SINGLE AND A SUBSEQUENT SECOND LIGHT PULSE INDUCING BARLEY LEAF UNFOLDING

The unfolding of etiolated barley leaves was induced by two short pulses of light separated by a dark interval. For certain wavelengths of light the effect of the “second light pulse was enhanced when the pulse was given after a 300–2000 s dark interval as compared with its effect when the two light pulses were given simultaneously. We investigated the spectral dependence of the effect of the first, inducing light flash and of the effect of the second Light flash given after a 500 s dark interval. The spectral actinity for the effect of the first flash showed phytochrome involvement. The spectral actinity for the effect of the second light flash, however, was shifted towards shorter wavelengths and the inductive action of red and far red light was attenuated.

Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP)—IPY Meeting in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada (June 2009), and AMAP Human Health Assessment 2009

The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) Human Health Assessment Group (HHAG) undertook an assessment and meeting to summarize arctic contaminant and human health research undertaken during the International Polar Years (IPYs). This meeting took place in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada, on June 10–12, 2009. This report summarizes the much more voluminous document AMAP Assessment 2009: Human Health in the Arctic (AMAP 2009a) that was released and discussed at the Iqaluit meeting.