Tohoku University · Environmental Science
Professor Kunihiko Nakai's research lab focuses on the neurodevelopmental and toxicological impacts of environmental pollutants, particularly methylmercury and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), in children. The lab conducts longitudinal birth cohort studies—such as the Tohoku Study of Child Development—to investigate the effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure to neurotoxicants on cognitive and motor development, with a special emphasis on sex-specific vulnerabilities. Research also extends to the biological mechanisms of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers and their vasoconstrictive effects, linking hemoglobin chemistry to vascular function. The lab integrates epidemiology, environmental health, and clinical toxicology to assess risks associated with seafood consumption and environmental contaminants in high-fish-consuming populations like those in Japan.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Several birth cohort studies have shown adverse effects of perinatal exposures to methylmercury (MeHg) and environmentally persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These chemicals are ingested mainly through fish consumption, but little is known about the hazardous effects in Japanese, whose fish consumption is high. The present study, the Tohoku Study of Child Development, was designed to examine the effects of perinatal exposures to MeHg, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), dioxins, pesticides, and
Hemoglobin (Hb)-based artificial oxygen carriers are supposed to induce vasoconstriction through the inactivation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). We examined the vasoconstrictive activity of acellular Hb and cellular Hb solutions in rabbit aortic strips. Unmodified Hb, pyridoxalated Hb, bovine unmodified Hb, haptoglobin-Hb complex (Hp-Hb), and polyoxyethylene glycol-conjugated Hb (PEG-Hb) were used as acellular Hbs having different molecular masses. Cellular Hbs included liposome-
These findings suggest that postnatal lead exposure adversely affects the intellectual ability in boys. Furthermore, the language ability is sensitive to prenatal/postnatal lead exposure in boys.
Adverse health effects following prenatal exposures to methylmercury (MeHg) have been apparent from several prospective cohort studies conducted in a fish-eating population. A prospective study in a Faroese birth cohort documented subtle deficits of several functional domains at prenatal MeHg exposure levels previously thought to be safe. Recent additional studies also showed neurobehavioral deficits associated with exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with concomitant MeHg poisoning. I
There are significant relationships between blastocyst transfer and SSR imbalance and a higher occurrence of MZT.
Seafood is an important component in a healthy diet and may contain methylmercury or other contaminants. It is important to recognize the risks and benefits of consuming seafood. A longitudinal prospective birth cohort study has been conducted to clarify the effects of neurotoxicants on child development-the Tohoku Study of Child Development (TSCD) in Japan. TSCD comprises two cohorts; a polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) cohort (urban area) and a methylmercury cohort (coastal area). Our previous r
Our findings highlighted an association between Hg exposure and an increased risk of GDM. Studies of the underlying mechanisms and potential contributing factors, including fish intake, of this association are warranted.
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