title: The release, tissue distribution and excretion of mercury from experimental amalgam tattoos.
abstract: Following the subcutaneous implantation of powdered dental amalgam in guinea pigs, there was an initial extrusion of material from the healing implantation wounds. Longer-term release of mercury from the lesions was demonstrated by linear regression analysis of the mercury contents of implant sites removed after time periods of up to 2 years. Raised mercury levels were detected in the blood, bile, kidneys, liver, spleen and lungs of implanted animals; by far the highest concentrations were found in the renal cortex. Mercury was excreted with the urine and, to a lesser extent, the faeces. The pattern of mercury redistribution resembled that seen following chronic exposure to mercuric compounds.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001646:Bile / Q000378:metabolism; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism; D008628:Mercury / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury