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Toxics Nov 2023Human intoxication to mercury is a worldwide health problem. In addition to the type and length of exposure, the genetic background plays an important role in mercury... (Review)
Review
Human intoxication to mercury is a worldwide health problem. In addition to the type and length of exposure, the genetic background plays an important role in mercury poisoning. However, reviews on the genetic influence in mercury toxicity are scarce and not systematic. Therefore, this review aimed to systematically overview the most recent evidence on the genetic influence (using single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) on human mercury poisoning. Three different databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Scopus) were searched, and 380 studies were found that were published from 2015 to 2022. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 29 studies were selected and data on characteristics (year, country, profile of participants) and results (mercury biomarkers and quantitation, SNPs, main findings) were extracted and analyzed. The largest number of studies was performed in Brazil, mainly involving traditional populations of the Tapajós River basin. Most studies evaluated the influence of the SNPs related to genes of the glutathione system (GST, GPx, etc.), the ATP-binding cassette transporters and the metallothionein proteins. The recent findings regarding other SNPs, such as those of apolipoprotein E and brain-derived neurotrophic factor genes, are also highlighted. The importance of the exposure level is discussed considering the possible biphasic behavior of the genetic modulation phenomena that could explain some SNP associations. Overall, recommendations are provided for future studies based on the analysis obtained in this scoping review.
PubMed: 38133368
DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120967 -
Turkish Archives of Pediatrics Oct 2023Mercury poisoning is a condition with multiple-organ dysfunction that has effects on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, skin,...
OBJECTIVE
Mercury poisoning is a condition with multiple-organ dysfunction that has effects on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, skin, lungs, and kidneys. It can be fatal or may result in sequelae such as neurological disturbances, if treated late or left untreated. The endocrinological effects of mercury exposure are not well-known. We aimed to evaluate patients with mercury poisoning.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 6 cases of mercury poisoning from 3 families were included in the study. Clinical, laboratory, and follow-up data were recorded.
RESULTS
Thyroid dysfunction was presented as high thyroid hormones and normal thyrotropin level (unsuppressed) in 5 cases (83.3%). On the other hand, pheochromocytoma-like syndrome was detected in 5 cases (83.3%) with hypertension. The 4 cases were the first to use methimazole for mercury poisoning due to tachycardia and hypertension despite antihypertensive treatment due to catecholamine excess and thyroid dysfunction. Hyponatremia was detected in 3 cases (50%).
CONCLUSION
Mercury poisoning is difficult to diagnose because it is rare and presents with nonspecific physical and laboratory findings. Early diagnosis and providing appropriate treatment are essential in order to prevent sequelae. Mercury poisoning should be considered in patients with unexplained hypertension and tachycardia suggesting the involvement of thyroid hormones and catecholamines.
PubMed: 37818842
DOI: 10.5152/TurkArchPediatr.2023.23150 -
Toxics Jul 2023Natural and anthropogenic sources of metals in the ecosystem are perpetually increasing; consequently, heavy metal (HM) accumulation has become a major environmental... (Review)
Review
Natural and anthropogenic sources of metals in the ecosystem are perpetually increasing; consequently, heavy metal (HM) accumulation has become a major environmental concern. Human exposure to HMs has increased dramatically due to the industrial activities of the 20th century. Mercury, arsenic lead, chrome, and cadmium have been the most prevalent HMs that have caused human toxicity. Poisonings can be acute or chronic following exposure via water, air, or food. The bioaccumulation of these HMs results in a variety of toxic effects on various tissues and organs. Comparing the mechanisms of action reveals that these metals induce toxicity via similar pathways, including the production of reactive oxygen species, the inactivation of enzymes, and oxidative stress. The conventional techniques employed for the elimination of HMs are deemed inadequate when the HM concentration is less than 100 mg/L. In addition, these methods exhibit certain limitations, including the production of secondary pollutants, a high demand for energy and chemicals, and reduced cost-effectiveness. As a result, the employment of microbial bioremediation for the purpose of HM detoxification has emerged as a viable solution, given that microorganisms, including fungi and bacteria, exhibit superior biosorption and bio-accumulation capabilities. This review deals with HM uptake and toxicity mechanisms associated with HMs, and will increase our knowledge on their toxic effects on the body organs, leading to better management of metal poisoning. This review aims to enhance comprehension and offer sources for the judicious selection of microbial remediation technology for the detoxification of HMs. Microbial-based solutions that are sustainable could potentially offer crucial and cost-effective methods for reducing the toxicity of HMs.
PubMed: 37505546
DOI: 10.3390/toxics11070580 -
Molecular Biology Reports Dec 2022Heavy metal exposure has soared due to the twentieth century's industrial activity. The most common heavy metals that lead to human poisoning are mercury, cadmium, and... (Review)
Review
Heavy metal exposure has soared due to the twentieth century's industrial activity. The most common heavy metals that lead to human poisoning are mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. Acute or chronic poisoning may develop following exposure to water, air, or food, so the bioaccumulation of these heavy metals causes harmful consequences in various human tissues and organs. Heavy metals interfere with biological functions such as growth, proliferation, differentiation, damage repair, and apoptosis. The mechanisms of action for these metals to cause toxicity are similar, including forming reactive oxygen species (ROS), weakening antioxidant defenses, enzyme inactivation, and oxidative stress. Heavy metal exposure is mainly associated with skin, liver, prostate, lung, urinary bladder, thyroid, and kidney cancers, as well as causing gastrointestinal malignancies. Several microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) have been involved in various human cancers due to the dysregulation of miRNA function. Recent investigations have confirmed that microRNA dysregulation plays a role in the carcinogenesis of many tissues. This review presents the data concerning arsenic, cadmium, and mercury metals and their contamination sources, human exposure, toxicity, and inducing malignant transformations such as carcinogenicity in in-vitro or in-vivo specimens or dysregulated expression of microRNAs.
Topics: Humans; Arsenic; Cadmium; MicroRNAs; Metals, Heavy; Mercury
PubMed: 36269534
DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07897-x -
Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical... Jun 2021Mercury is a toxic substance that is commonly used in skin lightening products. Various effects on humans have been observed, which affect both users and non-users. Many... (Review)
Review
Mercury is a toxic substance that is commonly used in skin lightening products. Various effects on humans have been observed, which affect both users and non-users. Many studies reported delayed diagnosis and treatment, even after weeks of hospitalization. The possible reasons are non-specific clinical manifestation and lack of awareness and knowledge regarding chronic mercury intoxication secondary to skin lightening products. A thorough history of mercury exposure is crucial. Physical assessment and relevant supporting tests are indicated to establish a diagnosis. Blood and urine mercury levels are an essential examination for diagnosis and monitoring of the progress and response to treatment. The primary treatment is the discontinuation of the skin lightening products. Chelation therapy is not mandatory and is usually indicated for symptomatic patients. The prognosis depends on the duration of the product use, concentration of mercury in the skin product, and the severity of clinical presentation.
Topics: Algorithms; Chelation Therapy; Cosmetics; Humans; Mercury Poisoning; Skin Pigmentation
PubMed: 32415819
DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2020.4759 -
JAMA Feb 2020
PubMed: 32044950
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2020.0292 -
Journal of Environmental Pathology,... 2020Heavy-metal toxicity imposes a potential worldwide threat to the environment and humans. Cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic are nonessential toxic heavy metals that are... (Review)
Review
Heavy-metal toxicity imposes a potential worldwide threat to the environment and humans. Cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic are nonessential toxic heavy metals that are most frequently involved in environmental and health hazards. Conventional chelating agents are unsuitable for subchronic and chronic heavy-metal toxicities. Scientific literature reveals that Spirulina (Arthrospira), a photosynthetic filamentous cyanobacterium that is generally known as blue-green algae, alleviates experimentally induced heavy-metal toxicity. The present review attempts to summarize such studies regarding cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic toxicity. A total of 58 preclinical studies demonstrate the alleviative effect of Spirulina against experimental arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury toxicities. Five clinical studies reported protective effects of Spirulina against arsenic toxicity in humans. Clinical studies against three heavy metals were not found in the literature. The present literature study appears to show that Spirulina possesses promising heavy-metal toxicity-ameliorative effects that are mainly attributed to its intrinsic antioxidant activity.
Topics: Animals; Arsenic; Dietary Supplements; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Humans; Metals, Heavy; Protective Agents; Spirulina
PubMed: 32749124
DOI: 10.1615/JEnvironPatholToxicolOncol.2020034375 -
Neurological Sciences : Official... Apr 2021
Topics: Humans; Isaacs Syndrome; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 33067679
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04831-6 -
The American Journal of Medicine Jan 2021Mercury is an environmental hazard. Organic mercury is biologically more toxic than inorganic mercury. Therefore, we studied recent trends in the blood levels of organic...
BACKGROUND
Mercury is an environmental hazard. Organic mercury is biologically more toxic than inorganic mercury. Therefore, we studied recent trends in the blood levels of organic and inorganic mercury in the United States.
METHODS
A total of 56,445 participants that had blood mercury and urine mercury measurements in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2016 were included. The organic mercury level was obtained by subtracting the inorganic mercury level from the total mercury level. Results were analyzed using SPSS complex sample module version 25. Pregnant women, children ages <20 years, and different ethnicities were analyzed as subgroups.
RESULTS
Blood organic mercury level increased from (geometric mean [95% confidence interval]) 0.08 [0.07-0.10] to 0.17 [0.16-0.18] µg/L during 1999-2016. It increased significantly (P <0.001) from 0.03 [0.02-0.03] to 0.07 [0.06-0.07] µg/L in children ages <20 and from 0.14 [0.09-0.21] to 0.36 [0.16-0.83] µg/L in pregnant women in this period (P <0.001). In 2013-2016, non-Hispanic Asians had the highest blood organic mercury level among different ethnicities, 0.93 [0.82-1.05] µg/L (P <0.001). Blood inorganic mercury level decreased from 0.31 [0.31-0.31] in 1999-2000 to 0.21 [0.21-0.22] µg/L in 2015-2016 (P <0.001). Urine mercury level decreased from 0.75 [0.71-0.80] in 1999-2000 to 0.16 [0.16-0.17] µg/L in 2015-2016 (P <0.001).
CONCLUSION
Blood organic mercury increased over the period 1999-2016 in the US population, including children and pregnant women, whereas there was a steady decline in both blood inorganic mercury and urine mercury levels.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Food Quality; Humans; Male; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Nutrition Surveys; Seafood; United States; Young Adult
PubMed: 32692984
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.06.023 -
Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science Jul 2023Thallium poisoning is usually accidental. We present a case of a 51-year-old woman who was evaluated in June 2018 for myalgia, vertigo, asthenia, and abdominal pain....
Thallium poisoning is usually accidental. We present a case of a 51-year-old woman who was evaluated in June 2018 for myalgia, vertigo, asthenia, and abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed temporal-spatial disorientation, jaundice, and asterixis. The laboratory reported the following: bilirubin, 10.3 mg/dL; aspartate transaminase, 78 U/L; alanine transaminase, 194 U/L; albumin, 2.3 g/dL; prothrombin time, 40%; and platelet count, 60,000/mm3. Serology performed for hepatitis A, B, and C; Epstein-Barr virus; cytomegalovirus; and human immunodeficiency virus was negative, and a collagenogram was negative. Physical reevaluation revealed alopecia on the scalp, armpits, and eyebrows; macules on the face; plantar hyperkeratosis; and ulcers on the lower limbs. Tests for lead, arsenic, copper, and mercury were carried out, which were normal; however, elevated urinary thallium (540 µg/g; range, 0.4-10 µg/g) was observed. The patient was treated with ᴅ-penicillamine 1,000 mg/day and recovered her urinary thallium levels were within normal range at annual follow-up. Thallium poisoning is extremely rare and can be fatal in small doses. An adequate clinical approach can facilitate early diagnosis.
PubMed: 36537175
DOI: 10.12701/jyms.2022.00647