Mercury in traditional Tibetan medicine - panacea or problem?
Hum Exp Toxicol
; 25(7): 405-12, 2006 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16898169
ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED Symptoms of mercury toxicity, biochemical changes, and blood/urine mercury levels were evaluated in a small group of patients. Six patients attending Delek Hospital, Dharamsala, India, taking mercury-containing traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) (Group I), were compared with three patients taking non-mercury containing TTM (Group II) and healthy volunteers(Group II). Quantitative estimation of mercury ingestion based on chemical analysis was compared with US regulatory standards. RESULTS:
Group I were significantly older (mean 55 years+/-SE 6.4) range 26-69 years, than Group II (26.7 years+/-SE 5) range 17-34 years and Group III (32.5 years +/-SE 0.5) range 33-34 years (P =0.05). Group I took TTM on average for 51 months and had a mean of 2.5 non-specific, mercury-related symptoms. Group I had higher mean diastolic pressures (85 mmHg) than Group II (73 mmHg) (P=0.06) and more loose teeth. Mean daily mercury intake for Group I was 674 microg, estimated as 10 microg/kg per day. (Established reference dose for chronic oral exposure 0.3 microg/kg per day.) Blood mercury levels were non-detectable, but mean urinary mercury levels for Group I were 67 microg/L (EPA levels <20 microg/L). Renal and liver function tests were not significantly different between groups and within normal clinical range.CONCLUSIONS:
Prolonged ingestion of mercury containing TTM is associated with absent blood levels, but relatively high urinary levels. Further studies are needed to evaluate toxicity and therapeutic potential.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas
/
Medicina Tradicional Tibetana
/
Mercúrio
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Intoxicação por Mercúrio
Tipo de estudo:
Guideline
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
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Aged
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Humans
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Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article