• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 1986

In order to investigate the antiotoxic effect of red ginseng extract on serum protein of mouse treated with methyl mercury playing a role as toxic contaminant in ecosystem, variations of the serum protein contents, electrophoretic patterns, and blood components were studied. Mice were divided into 3 groups: Control, group I treated only with methyl mercury, and group II treated together with methyl mercury and red ginseng extract. The total serum protein content of the control group was 5.8g/dl and those of groups I and II were slightly decreased as compared with the control. The control group showed 11 serum protein fractions and groups I and II showed 10 fractions except prealbumin. The amounts of albumin, ${\alpha}_1-$, ${\alpha}_2-$ globulin fractions were decreased and those $\beta$-, $\gamma$-globulin fractions were increased in groups I and II. The amount of each serum protein fraction in group II showed approximately the same level as the control. The hematocrit value and the number of white blood cells of groups I and II were increased, whereas the number of red blood cells showed the decrease as compared with the control.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.39-48
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to determine the mercury accumulated at maternal and fetal organs, and compare its levels between maternal and fetal organs on day 20 of gestation, in pregnant Fisher-344 rats which given orally methylmercuric chloride on day 7 of gestation. Pregnant rats were divided four groups by dose: control group, and methylmercuric chloride treatment groups of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg, respectively. The results obtained are as follows: I The mercury concentrations in maternal organs were the highest in kidney, and followed by blood, spleen, liver and brain. 2. The slopes of regression equation among mercury dose levels in maternal organs were as follows: Kidney 3.62 (r$^2$=0.943), Blood 2.75 (r$^2$=0.941), Spleen 2.49 (r$^2$=0.990), Liver 1.13 (r$^2$= 0.949), Brain 0.33 (r$^2$=0.984). 3. The mercury concentrations in fetal organs and placenta were the highest in liver, and followed by kidney, placenta and brain. 4. The slopes of regression equation among mercury dose levels in fetal organs and placenta were as follows: Liver 1.79 (r$^2$= 0.968), Kidney 0.79 (r$^2$= 0.976), Placenta 0.68 (r$^2$= 0.920), Brain 0.52 (r$^2$= 0.978), All Body 0.58 (r$^2$= 0.941). 5. As to the mercury levels in kidney, dams were 4.8~14.9 times higher than fetus. But as to the mercury levels in liver and brain, fetus were 1.6~2.5 and 1.5~1.9 times higher than dams. In conclusion, the mercury which exposured to pregnant rats can easily pass through the placenta and accumulated in fetus, especially higher in fetal liver and brain.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.723-728
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• 1999

Pulmonary embolism from metallic mercury is rare. It may occur after a deliberate intravenous injection of mercury as a suicide gesture, in the presence of drug abuse or severe psychiatric disturbance, with the hope of increasing athletic and sexual performance, and accidentally during right heart catheterization while sampling blood with mercury containing syringes. We have experienced the first case of pulmonary embolism associated with intravenous mercury injection in Korea. The blood mercury level remain elevated within the toxic range to date. This may be due to the continued absorption of embolized mercury. Multifocal areas of patchy perfusion defects are in both upper lung fields on perfusion scan of lung. Few of the abnormalities of respiratory or renal function reported previously were demonstrated. We report the case of a young male patient presenting with a clinical picture of pulmonary embolism, in whom widespread deposit of metallic mercury were demonstrated throughout both lungs and elsewhere in the body.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.59-72
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of heavy metal concentrations in the blood and urine of the general population. This research had been conducted from April to December 2008, studying 545 residents of Daejeon and Chungcheong Province. Through the concentrations of heavy metals(Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Mn) in the biota samples and questionnaires, the residents heavy metal exposure level and the influential factors according to personal characteristics or lifestyle were evaluated. As to the heavy metal concentration in the blood and urine of the comparing region, were As and Mn statistically significant(p<0.01, p<0.05). Blood lead and urinary mercury concentrations were higher in males than females. The heavy metal concentration for each age group increased blood mercury. The concentration of all heavy metals were higher in the drinkers than in the non-drinkers. Blood lead and mercury concentrations were higher in the smokers than in the non-smokers, but the urinary cadmium, arsenic and blood manganese was higher in the non-smokers than in the smokers. As to the blood lead and urinary cadmium concentration according to the food preference fish showed high concentration. To clarify the factors affecting the heavy metal concentration in biota among subjects multiple regression analysis was conducted. As a results, it turned out that as to lead content in blood, sex, age and smoking have influence on the subjects with explanatory adequacy of 14.0 %. These results demonstrated that the factors affected the concentrations of heavy metals in blood and urine. The results of this study could be used as the foundational data for setting the health risk assessment.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.438-445
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement model based on PLS (Partial least square) method for blood pressures. Measurement system for blood pressure signals consisted of pressure sensor, va interface and embedded module. A mercury sphygmomanometer was connected with the measurement system through 3-way stopcock and used as reference of blood pressures. The blood pressure signals of 20 subjects were measured and tests were repeated 5 times per each subject. Total of 100 data were divided into a calibration set and a prediction set. The PLS models were developed to determine the systolic and the diastolic blood pressures. The PLS models were evaluated by the standard methods of the British Hypertension Society (BHS) protocol and the American Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). The results of the PLS models were compared with those of MAA (maximum amplitude algorithm). The measured blood pressures with PLS method were highly correlated to those with a mercury sphygmomanometer in the systolic ($R^2=0.85$) and the diastolic blood pressure ($R^2=0.84$). The results showed that the PLS models were the effective tools for blood pressure measurements with high accuracy, and satisfied the standards of the BHS protocol and the AAMI.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.121-133
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• 1989

To study on the effect of selenium and garlic on the toxicity of MMC(methylmercury chloride), the change of body, liver, kidney and brain weight and the concentration of mercury in liver, kidney, brain and blood are measured to each group between male and female. Results obtained are as follows: 1. In female, the body weight of MMC(5mg/kg) single treatment group and MMC(5mg/kg) and selenium (0.3mg/kg) combined treatment group and significantly lower than that of control group from the 4th week, but the body weight of MMC(5mg/kg), selenium (0.3mg/kg) and garlic(1g/kg) combined treatment group is similar to that of control group. 2. For the relative weight of kidney, only MMC(5mg/kg), selenium(0.3mg/kg) and garlic(1g/kg) combined treatment female group is lower than control femal group. For the relative weight of brain, MMC, selenium and garlic combined treatment male and female groups are lower than control group, respectively. 3. When male and female mice were injected with single MMC, the concentrations of mercury in kidney, brain, blood and liver are 4.721 ppm, 4.079 ppm, 1.946 ppm and 1.196. ppm for male and 7.715 ppm, 4.527 ppm, 2.657 ppm and 1.994 ppm for female, respectively, on the 5th week. 4. When male and female mice were injected with MMC, selenium and.garlic, the accumulations of mercury in kidney, brain, blood and liver are 29.04%, 33.91%, 54.47% and 12.12% for male and 25.74%, 22.64%, 24.31% and 36.21% for female lower than that of MMC single treatment group, respectively, on the 5th week. 5. When male and female mice were injected with MMC and selenium, the accumulation of mercury in brain is 16.55% about male and 11.86% about'female higher than that of MMC single treatment group, respectively, on the 5th week.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.20-22
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• 2004

Acute mercury inhalation poisoning is a rare cause of acute peripheral neuropathy. A 44-year-old female inhaled the fume from heating mercury to treat her palmar dermatitis. For 4 days, this procedure was done for 2-3 minutes after each meal. She subsequently complained flu like symptoms, such as headache, toothache, myalgia and arthralgia. She was admitted for 9 days and then symptoms disappeared. About 3 weeks after exposure, both knee pain developed and then she could not walk. To treat mercury intoxication, she was referred to our hospital. At that time, initial laboratory data were within normal limits, but blood and urinary mercury level were 5.6 11$\mu$g/dl, 132.8 $\mu$g/L. After treatment with D-penicillamine for 7 days, blood and urinary mercury level were 3.9 1$\mu$g/dl, 177.3 $\mu$g/L. During the following 1 month, both leg symptoms remained. Nerve conduction studies were performed, both leg sensory nerve amplitude decreased. These findings were suggestive of peripheral polyneuropathy.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.411-418
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• 2004

Mercury, one of the most diffused and hazardous organ-specific environmental contaminants, exists in a wide variety of physical and chemical states. The murcury with the nature which evaporates easily can cause an acute or chronic mercury poisoning to workers at mercury-handling workplaces. Although many studies indicate that mercury induces a deleterious damage, little has been reported from the investigations of mercury effects at surrounding levels in living things. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biological effects of mercury chloride and ionizing radiation. Prepubertal male F344 rats were administered mercury chloride in drinking water throughout the experimental period or were given wholebody irradiation with a dose of 6.5 Gy. The amount changed of body weight during the experimental period showed a 4.9% rise in the mercury-treated group and 14.4% decline in the irradiated group compared with the level of the control group. The results of hematological analysis (red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit) indicated the differential effects of mercury chloride and ionizing radiation. However the concentration of cortisol as assessed by radioimmunoassay increased in both of the groups. Relative expressions of mRNA related to mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis were investigated using semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction on gonad and urinary organs of the experimental groups. While the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA exhibited different patterns depending on the organs or the experimental groups, both of the experimental groups showed a conspicuous expressions of Bax mRNA. In conclusion, the target organ of mercury chloride seems to be a urinary organ and the pattern of damage induced by mercury chloride differs from that by ionizing radiation.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.8-10
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• 1975

This study is to determine or detect deposition of mercury particles emitted from dental amalgam fillings. Amalgam fillings were carried out routinely on the dogs' teeth. (CIV cavities) Mercury which contains about 200${\mu}Ci$ of $^{197}Hg$ was employed on this purpose in each cavity. Radioactivity was measured by means of well type scintillation counter from saliva and mucous membrane of surrounding tissue. The C. P. M. value from the saliva was highest, mucous membrane was moderate and least on blood and fecs, as shown table on I. II. III. IV. 1. C.P. Mvalue from Saliva reveals 114 to 135 (lowest and highest) throughout the measuring period until 41 hours. 2. From blood samples no significant value was found. 3. CPM value from feces at2nd day and 4th day was about 90. 4. The highest and lowest CPMvalue from marginal gingiva was 465 and 209 respectively. Palatine showed 281 and 189, esophagus 179 and 165, and pulp from experiment tooth 190 and 104 respectively.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.329-337
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• 2005

This study investigated prevalence of color vision loss different from children's residence. The study subjects are 3 to 6 grade's children of elementary school in four areas. The blood lead and urinary mercury were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. All of participations' blood lead and urine mercury concentration were below suggested level of concern such as criteria by CDC and ATSDR. Color vision was assessed by the Lanthony D-15 desaturated panel. Color vision loss was quantitatively established by the Color Confusion Index (CCI) and qualitatively classified by type of acquired dyschromatopsia according to Verriest's classification. The prevalence of color vision loss and CCI value for children in industrial area was significantly higher than other areas(p<0.05). However blood lead and urinary mercury concentration level was not correlated to the color vision loss. Therefore we believed that other environmental neurotoxic substance except metal had an effects on color vision loss for children in industrial area.