title: Impact of occupational exposure to elemental mercury on some antioxidative enzymes among dental staff.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of elemental mercury exposure on renal function and antioxidative enzymes activity as a possible mechanism of renal affection among dental staff.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed on a group of dental staff exposed to elemental mercury (N = 32) and matched control group (N = 37). Urinary and blood level of mercury, albumin α1 microgloblin in urine, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase blood level were measured for the exposed and control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the control group, urinary and blood mercury were significantly higher in the exposed group. Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in blood were significantly decreased and were negatively correlated with duration of work.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oxidative stress is an important molecular mechanism for renal dysfunction in mercury exposure, manifested by decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes.
authors.affiliation: Industrial Medicine and Occupational Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt. aishasamir@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Aisha Mohamed
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Samir
authors.forename: Wael Mohamed
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Aref
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000209:etiology; D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000652:urine; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D003798:Dental Staff, Hospital; D003815:Dentists; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000097:blood*; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D015415:Biomarkers; C016001:alpha-1-microglobulin; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase