Beyond determining mercury levels, what are some of the laboratory findings in patients that suggest a role of mercury? Please denote whether this is associated with an allergic or toxic reaction or just exposure to the metal... i.e. with higher exposure from fish consumption or artisanal gold mining. This can also include experimental studies in animals, but again, please specify this.
For instance, elevated catecholamines and a predominant lymphocytosis are findings in infantile acrodynia patients
I'm not a specialist but mercury is a neurotoxic compound right ? I remember it caused the "Itaï Itaï" desease in Japan...I guess that neural afflictions should be probably monitored but I can't be more precise.
At the molecular level it can be interesting to measure metallothionein synthesis, as these proteins can be representative of metal exposure. In fact, mercury has a superior affinity with these proteins in comparison to essential compounds such as Zinc or Copper.
The effects will higly depend on the dose and the time of exposure.
As a toxic metal, it is very likely that its presence in the cells will also induce a production of Reactive Oxygen Species. Their "lifetime" is very short so that it can be complicated to measure, but their effects upon cell integrity can be monitored : gene transcriptions via PCR, lipid peroxidation products, enzymatic activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione s transferase...) etc...
I hope it helped a little, good luck :)
there is a very interesting report from the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (EFSA Journal 2012;10(12):2985) that considered also biomarkers of exposure for mercury and methylmercury
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/it/efsajournal/pub/2985.htm. Effects on the nervous system seem to be the most sensitive toxicological endpoint following elemental mercury exposure.
Recent studies in experimental animals have indicated effects at low doses, adverse effects on litter size and male offspring body weight gain, and changes in locomotor activity and auditory function in mice at a dose of 0.02 mg/kg b.w. per day expressed as mercury ...
best regards
stefania
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