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La Revue de Medecine Interne Jul 2011Mercury is a widespread heavy metal with potential severe impacts on human health. Exposure conditions to mercury and profile of toxicity among humans depend on the... (Review)
Review
Mercury is a widespread heavy metal with potential severe impacts on human health. Exposure conditions to mercury and profile of toxicity among humans depend on the chemical forms of the mercury: elemental or metallic mercury, inorganic or organic mercury compounds. This article aims to reviewing and synthesizing the main knowledge of the mercury toxicity and its organic compounds that clinicians should know. Acute inhalation of metallic or inorganic mercury vapours mainly induces pulmonary diseases, whereas chronic inhalation rather induces neurological or renal disorders (encephalopathy and interstitial or glomerular nephritis). Methylmercury poisonings from intoxicated food occurred among some populations resulting in neurological disorders and developmental troubles for children exposed in utero. Treatment using chelating agents is recommended in case of symptomatic acute mercury intoxication; sometimes it improves the clinical effects of chronic mercury poisoning. Although it is currently rare to encounter situations of severe intoxication, efforts remain necessary to decrease the mercury concentration in the environment and to reduce risk on human health due to low level exposure (dental amalgam, fish contamination by organic mercury compounds…). In case of occupational exposure to mercury and its compounds, some disorders could be compensated in France. Clinicians should work with toxicologists for the diagnosis and treatment of mercury intoxication.
Topics: Chelation Therapy; Environmental Exposure; Gastric Lavage; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 20579784
DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2009.08.024 -
Journal of Environmental and Public... 2012Mercury is a toxic heavy metal which is widely dispersed in nature. Most human exposure results from fish consumption or dental amalgam. Mercury occurs in several... (Review)
Review
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal which is widely dispersed in nature. Most human exposure results from fish consumption or dental amalgam. Mercury occurs in several chemical forms, with complex pharmacokinetics. Mercury is capable of inducing a wide range of clinical presentations. Diagnosis of mercury toxicity can be challenging but can be obtained with reasonable reliability. Effective therapies for clinical toxicity have been described.
Topics: Chelating Agents; Chelation Therapy; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Treatment Outcome; Unithiol
PubMed: 22235210
DOI: 10.1155/2012/460508 -
Journal of Biomedicine & Biotechnology 2012
Topics: Animals; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 22988426
DOI: 10.1155/2012/831890 -
Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine... Sep 2016The brain pathology in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) indicates marked and ongoing inflammatory reactivity with concomitant neuronal damage. These findings are... (Review)
Review
The brain pathology in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) indicates marked and ongoing inflammatory reactivity with concomitant neuronal damage. These findings are suggestive of neuronal insult as a result of external factors, rather than some type of developmental mishap. Various xenobiotics have been suggested as possible causes of this pathology. In a recent review, the top ten environmental compounds suspected of causing autism and learning disabilities were listed and they included: lead, methyl-mercury, polychorinated biphenyls, organophosphate pesticides, organochlorine pesticides, endocrine disruptors, automotive exhaust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and perfluorinated compounds. This current review, however, will focus specifically on mercury exposure and ASD by conducting a comprehensive literature search of original studies in humans that examine the potential relationship between mercury and ASD, categorizing, summarizing, and discussing the published research that addresses this topic. This review found 91 studies that examine the potential relationship between mercury and ASD from 1999 to February 2016. Of these studies, the vast majority (74%) suggest that mercury is a risk factor for ASD, revealing both direct and indirect effects. The preponderance of the evidence indicates that mercury exposure is causal and/or contributory in ASD.
Topics: Autistic Disorder; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Risk Factors
PubMed: 27473827
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2016.06.002 -
Comprehensive Review Regarding Mercury Poisoning and Its Complex Involvement in Alzheimer's Disease.International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2022Mercury (Hg) is considered one of the most widespread toxic environmental pollutants, which seems to have multiple effects on organisms even at low concentrations. It... (Review)
Review
Mercury (Hg) is considered one of the most widespread toxic environmental pollutants, which seems to have multiple effects on organisms even at low concentrations. It has a critical role in many health problems with harmful consequences, with Hg primarily targeting the brain and its components, such as the central nervous system (CNS). Hg exposure was associated with numerous CNS disorders that frequently trigger Alzheimer's disease (AD). Patients with AD have higher concentrations of Hg in blood and brain tissue. This paper aims to emphasize a correlation between Hg and AD based on the known literature in the occupational field. The outcome shows that all these concerning elements could get attributed to Hg. However, recent studies did not investigate the molecular level of Hg exposure in AD. The present review highlights the interactions between Hg and AD in neuronal degenerations, apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress (OS), mitochondrial malfunctions, gastrointestinal (GI) microflora, infertility and altering gene expression.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Apoptosis; Brain; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 35216107
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23041992 -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine May 2002
Topics: Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System; Occupational Diseases; Research Design
PubMed: 11983842
DOI: 10.1136/oem.59.5.285 -
Proceedings of the Royal Society of... Jul 1956
Topics: Eyelid Diseases; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Poisoning
PubMed: 13350293
DOI: No ID Found -
The British Journal of Ophthalmology Apr 1953
Topics: Disease; Humans; Lens, Crystalline; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 13032384
DOI: 10.1136/bjo.37.4.234 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Elite Edition) Jan 2018Mercury intoxication is a serious public health problem and a worldwide concern. The Minamata Convention on Mercury has been signed by 128 countries and endorsed by the... (Review)
Review
Mercury intoxication is a serious public health problem and a worldwide concern. The Minamata Convention on Mercury has been signed by 128 countries and endorsed by the World Health Organization with the recommendation of promoting the management of epidemiological information. The Central Nervous System is the main target organ for mercury. Symptoms of intoxication include altered motor coordination, visual and tactile dysfunction and paralysis, caused by neurodegeneration with a key role for oxidative damage. Recently, some studies have demonstrated a correlation between mercury intoxication and isoforms of apolipoprotein E (ApoE). In this review, epidemiological data and hypotheses about the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the association between ApoE and mercury intoxication are assessed. Based on the evidence and the neuropathological changes that the presence of ApoE4 and mercury neurotoxicity have in common, we propose a convergent action of both factors. ApoE4 seems to potentiate the damage caused by mercury. Increased knowledge of this interaction using epidemiological and pre-clinical studies is essential to improve prevention strategies to adequately manage intoxicated patients.
Topics: Apolipoproteins E; Humans; Mercury Poisoning; Neurodegenerative Diseases
PubMed: 28930615
DOI: 10.2741/e819 -
Current Problems in Pediatric and... Sep 2010Acute or chronic mercury exposure can cause adverse effects during any period of development. Mercury is a highly toxic element; there is no known safe level of... (Review)
Review
Acute or chronic mercury exposure can cause adverse effects during any period of development. Mercury is a highly toxic element; there is no known safe level of exposure. Ideally, neither children nor adults should have any mercury in their bodies because it provides no physiological benefit. Prenatal and postnatal mercury exposures occur frequently in many different ways. Pediatricians, nurses, and other health care providers should understand the scope of mercury exposures and health problems among children and be prepared to handle mercury exposures in medical practice. Prevention is the key to reducing mercury poisoning. Mercury exists in different chemical forms: elemental (or metallic), inorganic, and organic (methylmercury and ethyl mercury). Mercury exposure can cause acute and chronic intoxication at low levels of exposure. Mercury is neuro-, nephro-, and immunotoxic. The development of the child in utero and early in life is at particular risk. Mercury is ubiquitous and persistent. Mercury is a global pollutant, bio-accumulating, mainly through the aquatic food chain, resulting in a serious health hazard for children. This article provides an extensive review of mercury exposure and children's health.
Topics: Acute Disease; Air Pollution; Child; Child Welfare; Chronic Disease; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Epidemiological Monitoring; Food Contamination; Global Health; Health Policy; Humans; Mercury Compounds; Mercury Poisoning; Seafood; Soil Pollutants; Time Factors
PubMed: 20816346
DOI: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2010.07.002