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Introduction: Heavy metals exposure through the consumption of seafood are an environmental issue of concern. Biomonitoring of whole blood heavy metals concentration give an insight on the total internal body burden. The level of heavy metals of an individual are interrelated to the genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-tranferases (GSTs). This study aims to determine the association between blood arsenic (BAs), blood cadmium (BCd) and blood lead (BPb) concentration as reported in previous report and polymorphic variants of GST genes. Methods: Sixty three adult respondents were recruited along the coastal area of Melaka through purposive sampling in February 2016. Blood samples were collected through venipuncture procedure by certified personnel in EDTA tubes. The inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instrumentation was used to analyse the blood heavy metals concentration. DNA was extracted from the whole blood samples. The polymorphic variants of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were analysed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and polymorphic variants of GSTP1 were analysed by polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The BAs, BCd and BPb median (IQR) concentrations detected were 0.076 (0.059 -- 0.107), 1.204 (0.670 -- 2.094) and 0.076 (0.038-0.138) (µg/L) respectively. The prevalence of genetic polymorphism in GSTM1 and GSTT1 of 63.5% and 38.1% were observed. The number of respondents who have both deleted genes for GSTM1 and GSTT1 was 17 (27%). The frequency of genetic polymorphism in GSTP1 was 55.5%, in which 29 (46.0%) of the respondents were having the heterozygous (Ile/Val) polymorphism while the other 6 (9.5%) respondents were having the homozygous mutant (Val/Val). Conclusion: The polymorphic GST gene variations were not statistically linked to heavy metal concentrations. Respondents with the Val/Val genotype in GSTP1 and both GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletions, had a greater median of BAs and BPb [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Accumulation of heavy metals through seafood consumption constitutes a significant potential threat to human health. Biomonitoring of whole blood heavy metals level gave an insight into the internal body burden to the exposure of heavy metals. The aims of this study were to assess the blood heavy metals (arsenic and lead) level among the coastal community of Melaka and to determine their association with sociodemographic background and potential sources of heavy metals accumulation. Methods: Respondents were recruited through purposive sampling technique based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The questionnaires were distributed to obtain sociodemographic information, the frequency of seafood intake and smoking habit. Blood samples were obtained on a voluntary basis. A total of 63 respondents completed all the information required. The heavy metals concentration in blood was determined by inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: The blood arsenic (BAs) concentration of respondents was 0.076 (0.059 - 0.107) µg/L and the blood lead (BPb) concentration of respondents was 1.204 (0.670 - 2.094) µg/L respectively. A significant association was observed between seafood-based product frequency intake and BPb concentration (p < 0.05). Other seafood frequency intake and background factors were not significantly associated with the BAs and BPb concentration of respondents. Conclusion: The findings showed that arsenic and lead levels in the blood of respondents along the coastal area of Melaka did not exceed the blood heavy metals reference levels and there was also lack of associations between blood heavy metals concentration and the potential factors of heavy metals accumulation studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instant noodles had been found to be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). This study aims to determine the heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As) concentration in popular instant noodles from Malaysian market. Seven different brands of commercially popular instant noodles were randomly sampled from the market. The samples were prepared by dry ashing method prior to analysis by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer (ICP-MS). Results showed that all seven samples detected with heavy metals which the concentration for Pb in two samples exceeded the maximum permitted level of Malaysian Food Act and Regulation of 2 mg/kg. This finding indicated that instant noodle can be one the sources of chronic exposure to toxic heavy metals through food consumption which later might cause health effects. Instant noodles in Malaysian market need to be closely monitored to ensure the food quality and safety for consumption. Further study which focuses on the source of contamination as well as the health risk of consuming this contaminated noodles is strongly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]