Kidney mercury

Figure 76 is a very astrological depiction of the microcosm-macrocosm description of the human body and its processes representing the larger universe. His relations are as follows sun = heart moon = brain Jupiter = liver Saturn = spleen Venus = kidneys Mercury = lungs Earth = stomach veins = rivers bladder = the sea The seven major limbs represent the seven ancient metals. 

A summary of the influence of selenium on deposition of mercury in rat tissues is presented in Table III. In the injection experiments, selenium caused a reduction in mercury deposition in the kidneys of rats given either inorganic or organic mercury. The reduction in kidney mercury is dependent upon the level of selenium injected and the chemical form of selenium (Fang, 1977). Selenomethionine was most effective in reducing the renal mercury content, followed by selenocystine, selenate, and selenite. In contrast to the kidneys, selenium usually resulted in an increased deposition of mercury in other tissues. It is of particular interest that selenium appears to be very effective in increasing methylmercury deposition in the brain. When included in the diet, selenium also causes an increased deposition of hepatic mercury. This is consistent with the results of selenium injection experiments. Deposition in the kidney may depend upon the level in the diet. At low mercury levels, selenium resulted in decreased levels in the kidneys but in increased levels at... 

Mercury (inorganic) 0.002 0.002 Kidney damage Erosion of natural deposits discharge from refineries and factories runoff from landfills and cropland... 

FAS is normally characterized by growth retardation, anomalies of the head and face, and psychomotor dysfunctions. Excessive consumption of ethyl alcohol may lead to malformations of the heart, extremities, and kidneys. Since consumption of ethyl alcohol is socially acceptable and prevalent even in pregnant women, the risks associated with the use of ethyl alcohol are remarkable. However, it should be kept in mind that there are several chemical compounds in tlie occupational environment that may also cause malformations even at low doses. The oc-cupationally-important known human teratogens include methyl mercury, ethyl alcohol, PCB compounds, tobacco smoke, lead, TCDD, 2,4,5- F, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, gasoline, and fluoride. 

The site of accumulation may define tlie point of toxic action. Inorganic mercury accumulation in the kidneys causes sever functional impairment Kidney damage has been shown to occur when the accumulated total of cadmium in the kidney cortex reaches 100-200 ppm... 

Metallothioneins are a group of small proteins (about 6.5 kDa), found in the cytosol of cells, particularly of liver, kidney, and intestine. They have a high content of cysteine and can bind copper, zinc, cadmium, and mercury. The SH groups of cysteine are involved in binding the metals. Acute intake (eg, by injection) of copper and of certain other metals increases the amount (induction) of these proteins in tissues, as does administration of certain hormones or cytokines. These proteins may function to store the above metals in a nontoxic form and are involved in their overall metaboHsm in the body. Sequestration of copper also diminishes the amount of this metal available to generate free radicals. 

Nicholson JK, Osborn D. 1983. Kidney lesions in pelagic seabirds with high tissue levels of cadmium and mercury. J Zool London 200 99-118. 

Nicholson JK, Osborn D. 1984. Kidney lesions in juvenile starlings Stumus vulgaris fed on a mercury-contaminated synthetic diet. Environ Pollut Ser A 33 195-206. 

Barregard, L., Svalander, C., Schiitz, A., Westberg, G., Blohme, I., Molne, J., Attman, P.-O., and Haglind, P., Cadmium, mercury and lead in kidney cortex of the general Swedish population A study of biopsies from living kidney donors, Environment and Health Perspectives, 107, 867-871, 1999. 

Evidence suggests that lead exacerbates the toxic effects of mercury. In the rat, the administration of lead nitrate increased kidney and liver glutathione content and resulted in increased mercury deposition in the kidney, along with increased lethality in rats (Congiu et al. 1979). 

Exposure to Hg may cause serious harm to human health, at high doses it can even be fatal. Mercury toxicity usually involves the kidneys and/or nervous system disorders (central nervous system and neurobehavioral changes). Mercury contamination has been found in more than 70 federal sites with Hg-contaminated wastes. 

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