Detection of Selenium in Generalized and Localized Argyria: Report of Four Cases with X‐ray Microanalysis

Abstract

Electron microscopic and X-ray microanalytic studies were performed on four cases of argyria; one generalized and three localized. Deposition of electron dense granules was predominantly found on elastic fibers and around basal laminas of secretory portions of eccrine glands, although the amount of deposition was much less in the case of generalized argyria. In all four cases, X-ray microanalysis revealed that the depositions consisted mainly of silver, selenium, and sulfur. The importance of selenium in the detoxification of heavy metals was discussed.

Detection of Silver Sulfide Deposits in the Skin of Patients with Argyria After Long-term Use of Silver-containing Drugs

“…In the generalized argyria, silver seems to be accumulated in the skin as silver sulfide [3,4,6,10,14,16]. The pathogenesis of generalized argyria is assumed as following [22]: uptake of silver compounds from the gut or directly from the mucosa of eyes, nose, or stomach, transport of stable Ag þ (I) complexes into the skin, binding of silver to the amino acid cystein of collagen fibers and proteoglycanes, accumulation of Ag þ cystein complexes at connective matrix proteins, photolytic destruction of cystein by UV radiation, precipitation of silver ions by nascending SH À ions, and forming of Ag 2 S. These precipitates are finely spread in the dermis, leading to a permanent discoloration.…”

“…There are two forms of argyria: localized and generalized [1]. Whereas the localized form is induced by local administration or deposition of silver-containing compounds, like amalgam tattoos after amalgam fillings of teeth [2], acupuncture needles [3][4][5], silver jewels [6], or fluids [7][8][9], the generalized form appears most often following administration or use of colloidal silver and silver-containing medicinals [1,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] or by inhalation or ingestion of dusts or fumes in the silver processing or manufacturing industry [18]. A very popular use of silver in medicine is in combination with sulfadiazine as a topical antibacterial agent [19,20].…”

So What If You Are Blue? Oral Colloidal Silver and Argyria Are Out

“…[15][16][17] Anecdotal reports on the use of selenium and sulfur supplementation to decrease the dermal deposits of silver granules have not been substantiated. 18 Selenium and sulfur may enhance silver metabolism by forming complexes with silver molecules. Silver selenides and silver sulfides are highly insoluble in vivo, effectively interfering with the bioavailability of silver to interfere with normal enzyme activities in tissues.…”

Metallic Pigmentation of Human Teeth and Gingiva: Morphological and Immunological Aspects

“…Selenium present in the particles had to be of endogenous origin, since no medication with selenium was reported by the patients. The importance of selenium in the detoxification of heavy metals is often discussed in association with amalgam tattoos and argyria [25][26][27] .…”