Immunotoxicity of mercury: Pathological and toxicological effects

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is toxic and hazardous metal that causes natural disasters in the earth's crust. Exposure to Hg occurs via various routes; like oral (fish), inhalation, dental amalgams, and skin from cosmetics. In this review, we have discussed the sources of Hg and its potential for causing toxicity in humans. In addition, we also review its bio-chemical cycling in the environment; its systemic, immunotoxic, genotoxic/carcinogenic, and teratogenic health effects; and the dietary influences; as well as the important considerations in risk assessment and management of Hg poisoning have been discussed in detail. Many harmful outcomes have been reported, which will provide more awareness.

Toxic metal exposure as a possible risk factor for COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases

“…In a more recent study, male C57BL/6 mice exposed subcutaneously to 25 mg/kg/day of methylmercury chloride presented, after seven days, increased expression of TNF-α -related genes in samples of different tissues, including liver, kidney and brain. The same study which included mouse neural cell line (C17.2 cells) also clarified that NF-κB may participate as a transcription factor in the TNF-α induction ( Iwai-Shimada et al 2016 ), being indicative of the impact of Hg exposure on systemic inflammation ( Maqbool et al, 2017 ). In addition, Hg-induced inflammation is tightly interrelated with autoimmunity ( Pollard et al, 2019 ) that may also impair physiological immune and inflammatory reactions.…”

Alteration of hepatocellular antioxidant gene expression pattern and biomarkers of oxidative damage in diazinon-induced acute toxicity in Wistar rat: a time–course mechanistic study

“…Moreover, evidence related to the FRAP, TTM, LPO and protein carbonyl levels along with the gene expression changes supports our current outcome (Maqbool et al . , 2016[ 29 ][ 30 ], 2017[ 31 ]). In a similar study, amylase and lipase serum levels were significantly increased within three hours after administration of 75 mg/kg of DZN (Dressel et al .…”

“…The rate of detoxification as well as duration of toxicity play important roles (Abdollahi et al, 2004[ 2 ]; Mostafalou et al, 2013[ 39 ]). There is clear evidence in the literature about the link between different pesticides exposure and occurrence of various human chronic diseases, such as cancer, Parkinson, Alzheimer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases (Mostafalou and Abdollahi, 2017[ 37 ]; Souza et al, 2011[ 56 ]; Mostafalou et al, 2012[ 38 ]; Maqbool et al, 2016[ 30 ], 2017[ 31 ]; Pakravan et al, 2016[ 44 ]). Diazinon (O,O-diethyl O-[4-methyl-6-(propan-2-yl) pyrimidin-2-yl] phosphorothioate) (DZN) is an OP insecticide which is extensively used in agriculture and households (Pakzad et al, 2013[ 45 ]).…”

Neurotoxins and Autism

“…Associations between autism prevalence and proximity to industrial facilities were ascertained by Dickerson et al [13]. Most recently, a disruption of complex neuro-immune signaling as a mechanism necessary for neuronal migration and brain growth was accepted to be a possible mechanism to cause Hg-induced brain damage [14].…”