Rice Kevin M, Walker Ernest M, Wu Miaozong, Gillette Chris, Blough Eric R
Center for Diagnostic Nanosystems, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA.
Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Toxicology, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA.
J Prev Med Public Health. 2014 Mar;47(2):74-83. doi: 10.3961/jpmph.2014.47.2.74. Epub 2014 Mar 31.
Mercury exists naturally and as a man-made contaminant. The release of processed mercury can lead to a progressive increase in the amount of atmospheric mercury, which enters the atmospheric-soil-water distribution cycles where it can remain in circulation for years. Mercury poisoning is the result of exposure to mercury or mercury compounds resulting in various toxic effects depend on its chemical form and route of exposure. The major route of human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) is largely through eating contaminated fish, seafood, and wildlife which have been exposed to mercury through ingestion of contaminated lower organisms. MeHg toxicity is associated with nervous system damage in adults and impaired neurological development in infants and children. Ingested mercury may undergo bioaccumulation leading to progressive increases in body burdens. This review addresses the systemic pathophysiology of individual organ systems associated with mercury poisoning. Mercury has profound cellular, cardiovascular, hematological, pulmonary, renal, immunological, neurological, endocrine, reproductive, and embryonic toxicological effects.
汞以自然形态及人为污染物的形式存在。加工汞的释放会导致大气汞含量逐渐增加，汞进入大气-土壤-水的循环，可在其中循环数年。汞中毒是接触汞或汞化合物的结果，其产生的各种毒性作用取决于汞的化学形态和接触途径。人类接触甲基汞（MeHg）的主要途径很大程度上是通过食用受污染的鱼类、海鲜和野生动物，这些生物通过摄入受污染的低等生物而接触到汞。甲基汞毒性与成人神经系统损伤以及婴幼儿和儿童神经发育受损有关。摄入的汞可能会发生生物累积，导致体内负担逐渐增加。本综述阐述了与汞中毒相关的各个器官系统的全身病理生理学。汞具有深刻的细胞、心血管、血液、肺、肾、免疫、神经、内分泌、生殖和胚胎毒理学效应。
