Queiroz M L, Perlingeiro R C, Dantas D C, Bizzacchi J M, De Capitani E M
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Pharmacol Toxicol. 1994 Feb;74(2):72-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0773.1994.tb01078.x.
The serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM and IgA) concentrations of 44 mercury-exposed workers were examined and compared with those of non-exposed, age- and sex-matched individuals. At the time of testing, the exposed population had a mean (+/- S.D.) mercury urinary concentration of 24.7 +/- 19.1 and in 40 of them urinary mercury levels were below the currently accepted limit of 50 micrograms/g creatinine. Increased IgG, IgA and IgM levels were found in the mercury-exposed individuals and in 16, a second evaluation was performed six months later. During the intervening six months, the level of hygiene was improved throughout the plant, and urinary mercury concentrations were determined monthly in each worker. Despite a significant reduction in mercury urinary concentrations, serum immunoglobulin levels did not return to the normal range. There was no correlation between the length or level of exposure and the immunoglobulin levels. Liver protein synthesis, as studied by factor V, prothrombin time, prealbumin and transaminase activity, was normal and liver injury, as evaluated by serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities (AST and ALT, respectively), was not observed. No haematological abnormalities were noted. These results indicate that "safe" levels of mercury exposure may lead to humoral immunological stimulation.
检测了44名汞接触工人的血清免疫球蛋白（IgG、IgM和IgA）浓度，并与未接触汞、年龄和性别匹配的个体进行了比较。在检测时，接触汞人群的尿汞平均浓度（±标准差）为24.7±19.1，其中40人的尿汞水平低于目前公认的50微克/克肌酐的限值。在汞接触个体中发现IgG、IgA和IgM水平升高，其中16人在6个月后进行了第二次评估。在这期间的6个月里，整个工厂的卫生水平得到了改善，并且每月测定每名工人的尿汞浓度。尽管尿汞浓度显著降低，但血清免疫球蛋白水平并未恢复到正常范围。接触汞的时长或水平与免疫球蛋白水平之间没有相关性。通过因子V、凝血酶原时间、前白蛋白和转氨酶活性研究的肝脏蛋白质合成正常，并且通过血清天冬氨酸和丙氨酸转氨酶活性（分别为AST和ALT）评估未观察到肝脏损伤。未发现血液学异常。这些结果表明，“安全”水平的汞接触可能会导致体液免疫刺激。
