Blood mercury and liver enzymes: A pan-India retrospective correlation study

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a toxic heavy metal, and the reported effects of exposure on liver function continue to be inconsistent. The objective of our study was to identify correlations between high blood Hg levels and liver enzymes in a pan-India population including adults ≥19 years of age. This retrospective study analyzed the data from 95,398 individuals tested for blood Hg levels and liver enzymes in our national laboratory. Testing for blood Hg was done by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, while testing for liver enzymes—aspartate aminotransferase (AST/SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase—was done by automated photometry systems. Data from all the individuals inclusive of 52,497 males and 42,901 females were studied. The frequency of high blood Hg levels (>5 µg/L) was found to be 0.6%, and the difference between males and females was not found to be significant. Further correlation by linear regression analysis found no relationship between high blood Hg levels and liver enzymes among females. However, among males, there was a significant correlation between high blood Hg levels, and increased AST as well as ALT. Our report suggested that for males but not females, Hg exposure may be one of the differentials for elevated liver enzymes.

Heavy Metals, Halogenated Hydrocarbons, Phthalates, Glyphosate, Cordycepin, Alcohol, Drugs, and Herbs, Assessed for Liver Injury and Mechanistic Steps

“…In fact, respective data heavily depend on variables such as gender, and age, and alcohol use. As an example, there was no relationship between high blood mercury levels and LTs among females, while among males, a significant correlation existed between high blood mercury levels and increased serum activities of both, ALT and AST [175]. In another report mentioning in its title that mercury exposure is associated with a decrease of LTs, but this is obviously only one side of the coin, because it was detailed in the abstract and text that in woman, who drank alcohol more the 2 or 3 times per week, serum activities of ALT increased by 7.7% and of AST by 10.6%, while in men, ALT and AST activities showed little change as blood mercury levels increased [176].…”

“…Reported serum LT values due to mercury exposure continue to be inconsistent [175], also when correlating them with blood mercury levels, findings that require critical analyses [176,177]. In fact, respective data heavily depend on variables such as gender, and age, and alcohol use.…”

“…Liver histology data of humans exposed to mercury and included in epidemiology studies were, as expected, not available [175][176][177]. In the patient with suspected mercury intoxication in connection with the consumption of the ceremonial Joss paper, liver histology was obtained during the clinical course through ultrasound guided liver biopsy, which revealed macrovesicular steatosis [178].…”

Characteristics, Treatment, and Prognosis of Elemental Mercury Intoxication in Children

“…Hypersensitivity to DMPS manifested itself in 4.1% of patients as maculopapullar skin lesions on the face and trunk. 36,37 Some evidence suggests that antioxidant protection can help prevent renal and neurologic damage caused by MI in all forms. [38][39][40] Intravenous hydration and NAC therapy were administered to all patients in the MI group.…”

“…Although adverse effects are uncommon, rash, nausea, and leucopenia may occur. Hypersensitivity to DMPS manifested itself in 4.1% of patients as maculopapullar skin lesions on the face and trunk 36,37 …”