title: Mercury and proteins in cerebrospinal fluid in subjects exposed to mercury vapor.
abstract: Mercury (Hg) and protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and mercury in plasma (P), erythrocytes (Ery), and urine (U), were determined in 10 workers exposed to mercury vapor for 2-28 (median 13) years and in 16 occupationally unexposed referents. CSF-Hg was analyzed using radiochemical neutron activation analysis and P-Hg, Ery-Hg, and U-Hg were analyzed using cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. P-Hg and U-Hg were significantly higher, but Ery-Hg was similar in the exposed workers (37 nmole/liter, 16 nmole/mmole creatinine, and 56 nmole/liter, respectively) compared with the referents (7.1 nmole/liter, 1.9 nmole/mmole creatinine, and 52 nmole/liter, respectively). CSF-Hg was correlated to P-Hg, and in workers with current high exposure (P-Hg > 50 nmole/liter), the CSF-Hg was significantly higher than in the reference group (1.08 versus 0.35 nmole/liter; P = 0.002). In two individuals, studied after ceased occupational exposure, a decrease of CSF-Hg was seen. There were no indications of changes in the CSF protein pattern in the exposed workers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine, Sahlgren's University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sällsten
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barregård
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wikkelsö
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schütz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D002617:Chemical Industry; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins; D008628:Mercury