Total mercury, methylmercury and selenium in mercury polluted areas in the province Guizhou, China

The interaction between mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) is one of the best known examples of biological antagonism, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This review focuses on the possible pathways leading to the Hg-Se antagonism, with an emphasis on the potential Hg-Se compounds that are responsible for the antagonism at the molecular level (i.e., bis[methylmercuric]selenide, methylmercury selenocysteinate, selenoprotein P-bound HgSe clusters, and the biominerals HgSexS1−x). The presence of these compounds in biological systems has been suggested by direct or indirect evidence, and their chemical properties support their potentially key roles in alleviating the toxicity of Hg and Se (at high Hg and Se exposures, respectively) and deficiency of Se (at low Se exposures). Direct analytical evidences are needed, however, to confirm their in vivo presence and metabolic pathways, as well as to identify the roles of other potential Hg-Se compounds. Further studies are also warranted for the determination of thermodynamic properties of these compounds under physiological conditions toward a better understanding of the Hg-Se antagonism in biota, particularly under real world exposure scenarios.

Mercury-selenium compounds and their toxicological significance: toward a molecular understanding of the mercury-selenium antagonism.

Exposure to methyl mercury, a risk factor for neurodevelopmental toxicity, was assessed in U.S. children 1-5 years of age (n = 838) and women 16-49 years of age (n = 1,726) using hair mercury analysis during the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The data are nationally representative and are based on analysis of cross-sectional data for the noninstitutionalized, U.S. household population. The survey consisted of interviews conducted in participants' homes and standardized health examinations conducted in mobile examination centers. Distributions of total hair mercury levels expressed as micrograms per gram hair Hg and the association of hair Hg levels with sociodemographic characteristics and fish consumption are reported. Geometric mean (standard error of the geometric mean) hair mercury was 0.12 microg/g (0.01 microg/g) in children, and 0.20 microg/g (0.02 microg/g) in women. Among frequent fish consumers, geometric mean hair mercury levels were 3-fold higher for women (0.38 vs. 0.11 micro g/g) and 2-fold higher for children (0.16 vs. 0.08 microg/g) compared with nonconsumers. The NHANES 1999-2000 data provide population-based data on hair mercury concentrations for women and children in the United States. Hair mercury levels were associated with age and fish consumption frequency.

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Hair mercury levels in U.S. children and women of childbearing age: reference range data from NHANES 1999-2000.

This paper reviews the growing literature dealing with the antagonistic effect of selenium (Se) compounds on the toxicity of mercury (Hg) compounds in higher animals and organisms present in the aq...

Selenium and mercury in organisms: Interactions and mechanisms

This article reviews progress in the research of methyl mercury (MeHg) and nutrient interactions during the past two decades. Special emphasis is placed on the following three major areas: a) effects on kinetics, b) effects on toxicity, and c) possible mechanisms. Dietary information is not usually collected in most epidemiologic studies examining of the effects of MeHg exposure. However, inconsistency of the MeHg toxicity observed in different populations is commonly attributed to possible effects of dietary modulation. Even though the mechanisms of interaction have not been totally elucidated, research in nutritional toxicology has provided insights into the understanding of the effects of nutrients on MeHg toxicity. Some of this information can be readily incorporated into the risk assessment of MeHg in the diets of fish-eating populations. It is also clear that there is a need for more studies designed specifically to address the role of nutrition in the metabolism and detoxification of MeHg. It is also important to collect more detailed dietary information in future epidemiologic studies of MeHg exposure.

The influence of nutrition on methyl mercury intoxication

An artificial hair-waving which is popular among Japanese women and the use of thiol-containing solutions for reforming hair-wavings was tested for its effects on hair mercury values. The first step of the procedures, shampooing and drying, entailed slightly organic mercury concentrations; the second step, applying the cosmetic containing thiols, reduced organic mercury concentrations to less than half of the original value. After completion of all 5 steps, the organic mercury concentration decreased to one third of the original value and the inorganic mercury concentration decreased only slightly.

Effects of artificial hair-waving on hair mercury values

Circadian rhythms in the urinary excretion of metals and organic substances were examined in ten “healthy” men under conditions of water loading and restriction. Four characteristic rhythm...

Circadian rhythms in the urinary excretion of metals and organic substances in "healthy" men.

The applicable condition of Magos' method for mercury measurement under coexistence of selenium.

The effect of variation in urinary flow rate (ml urine min-1, UF) on adjusted and non-adjusted urinary excretion of metals and organic substances was examined in ten 'healthy' men. The effect of UF was found to be eliminated when urinary concentrations of lead (Pb), hippuric acid (HA), delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and coproporphyrin (CP) were adjusted to urinary specific gravity and to UF. Similarly, the effect of UF on inorganic mercury (Hg) was eliminated when the concentration was adjusted to timed excretion and to UF. The effect on zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) was eliminated when adjusted to urinary creatinine (Cn) and to UF. The difference in the effect of UF on the adjusted urinary excretion was explained by the effect of UF on timed excretion of substance, which was ranked in the following order: Pb, HA, total urinary solutes, ALA and CP; Zn; Cu; Cn; and Hg. It was concluded that 'UF-adjusted concentration' is applicable to measurement of all substances in urine as a method of minimizing UF effects, while the other three adjustment methods have only limited uses.

Reiko Yamamoto

Papers

Effects of artificial hair-waving on hair mercury values

Circadian rhythms in the urinary excretion of metals and organic substances in "healthy" men.

The applicable condition of Magos' method for mercury measurement under coexistence of selenium.

Comparison of the effects of urinary flow on adjusted and non‐adjusted excretion of heavy metals and organic substances in ‘healthy’ men

Elemental contamination of Japanese women's hair from historical samples.