Mercury in dental amalgams: A great concern for clinical toxicology in developing countries?

Bjørklund, Geir; Lindh, Ulf; Aaseth, Jan; Mutter, Joachim; Chirumbolo, Salvatore

doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.09.002

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The main sources of elemental Hg in humans are Hg released from dental amalgams batteries, and incineration of medical waste [14,15]. In the 1830s, dental amalgam was introduced in the Western World and has since then been subject to recurrent concerns and controversies [16].…”

Section: Exposure and Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Review on Coordination Properties of Thiol-Containing Chelating Agents Towards Mercury, Cadmium, and Lead

et al. 2019

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The present article reviews the clinical use of thiol-based metal chelators in intoxications and overexposure with mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb). Currently, very few commercially available pharmaceuticals can successfully reduce or prevent the toxicity of these metals. The metal chelator meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is considerably less toxic than the classical agent British anti-Lewisite (BAL, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol) and is the recommended agent in poisonings with Pb and organic Hg. Its toxicity is also lower than that of DMPS (dimercaptopropane sulfonate), although DMPS is the recommended agent in acute poisonings with Hg salts. It is suggested that intracellular Cd deposits and cerebral deposits of inorganic Hg, to some extent, can be mobilized by a combination of antidotes, but clinical experience with such combinations are lacking. Alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) has been suggested for toxic metal detoxification but is not considered a drug of choice in clinical practice. The molecular mechanisms and chemical equilibria of complex formation of the chelators with the metal ions Hg2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ are reviewed since insight into these reactions can provide a basis for further development of therapeutics.

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Section: Exposure and Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Today, many countries, including the Scandinavian countries and Italy, have in principle ceased the use of dental amalgam. However, this filling material is still in widespread use, particularly in developing countries [14].…”

Section: Exposure and Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review on Coordination Properties of Thiol-Containing Chelating Agents Towards Mercury, Cadmium, and Lead

et al. 2019

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“…Due to their function as the major route of excretion from the body, kidneys in aged individuals are especially vulnerable to heavy metal toxicity [10], mostly to mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb). As for mercury, even minor exposures from its use in dental amalgams, vaccines, eye drops, and in traditional folk medicines may give rise to nephrotoxic effects, which may be difficult to assess because effects usually arise months or years after a low or moderate exposure [12,13]. Mercury is known to significantly affect human biochemical processes by interfering with the complex redox machinery used to regulate cell survival and mitochondrial function [14].…”

Section: Mercury Cadmium and Lead-nephrotoxic Environmental Pollutantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Aging Kidney—As Influenced by Heavy Metal Exposure and Selenium Supplementation

et al. 2021

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The aging process in the kidneys has been well studied. It is known that the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines with age in subjects older than 50–60 years. However, there is still insufficient knowledge regarding the response of the aged kidney to environmental toxicants such as mercury, cadmium, and lead. Here, we present a review on the functional decline and proposed mechanisms in the aging kidney as influenced by metal pollutants. Due to the prevalence of these toxicants in the environment, human exposure is nearly unavoidable. Further, it is well known that acute and chronic exposures to toxic metals may be detrimental to kidneys of normal adults, thus it may be hypothesized that exposure of individuals with reduced GFR will result in additional reductions in renal function. Individuals with compromised renal function, either from aging or from a combination of aging and disease, may be particularly susceptible to environmental toxicants. The available data appear to show an association between exposure to mercury, cadmium and/or lead and an increase in incidence and severity of renal disease in elderly individuals. Furthermore, some physiological thiols, as well as adequate selenium status, appear to exert a protective action. Further studies providing improved insight into the mechanisms by which nephrotoxic metals are handled by aging kidneys, as well as possibilities of therapeutic protection, are of utmost importance.

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“…Even so, the market for Hg‐containing dental amalgam is growing, at present at an estimated rate of 5% annually. By the end of 2023, the international market for dental amalgam is expected to reach USD 500 million …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurotoxic effects of mercury exposure in dental personnel

Bjørklund

Hilt

Dadar

et al. 2019

Basic Clin Pharma Tox

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Numerous studies have reported neurobehavioural effects in dental personnel occupationally exposed to chronic low levels of mercury (Hg). Hg exposure from dental work may also induce various chronic conditions such as elevation of amyloid protein expression, deterioration of microtubules and increase or inhibition of transmitter release at motor nerve terminal endings. Therefore, clinical studies of Hg toxicity in dentistry may provide new knowledge about disturbed metal homeostasis in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and mood disorders. The purpose of this MiniReview is to evaluate the evidence of possible relevance between Hg exposure in dentistry and idiopathic disturbances in motor functions, cognitive skills and affective reactions, as well as dose-response relationships. K E Y W O R D Scognitive functions, dental personnel, mercury, mood and symptoms, motor functions 42

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Mercury in dental amalgams: A great concern for clinical toxicology in developing countries?

Cited by 12 publications

References 18 publications

A Review on Coordination Properties of Thiol-Containing Chelating Agents Towards Mercury, Cadmium, and Lead

A Review on Coordination Properties of Thiol-Containing Chelating Agents Towards Mercury, Cadmium, and Lead

The Aging Kidney—As Influenced by Heavy Metal Exposure and Selenium Supplementation

Neurotoxic effects of mercury exposure in dental personnel

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