Abstract
BackgroundThe induction of oxidative stress by Hg can affect antioxidant enzymes. However, epidemiological studies have failed to establish clear association between dental fillings presence and health problems.ObjectivesTo determine whether heavy metals (in hair), antioxidant enzymes (SOD-1) and glutathione levels could be affected by the chronic presence of heavy metals in women who had dental amalgam fillings.Materials and Methods55 hair samples (42 females with amalgam fillings and 13 female control subjects) were obtained. All subjects (mean age 44 years) who had dental amalgam filling for more than 10 years (average 15 years). Certain metals were quantified by ICP-MS (Mass Spectrophotometry) in hair (μg/g: Al, Hg, Ba, Ag, Sb, As, Be, Bi, Cd, Pb, Pt, Tl, Th, U, Ni, Sn, Ti) and SOD-1 and Glutathione (reduced form) levels in plasma. Data were compared with controls without amalgams, and analyzed to identify any significant relation between metals and the total number of amalgam fillings, comparing those with four or less (n = 27) with those with more than four (n = 15). As no significant differences were detected, the two groups were pooled (Amlgam; n = 42).FindingsHg, Ag, Al and Ba were higher in the amalgam group but without significant differences for most of the heavy metals analyzed. Increased SOD-1 activity and glutathione levels (reduced form) were observed in the amalgam group. Aluminum (Al) correlated with glutathione levels while Hg levels correlated with SOD-1. The observed Al/glutathione and Hg/SOD-1 correlation could be adaptive responses against the chronic presence of mercury.ConclusionsHg, Ag, Al and Ba levels increased in women who had dental amalgam fillings for long periods. Al correlated with glutathione, and Hg with SOD-1. SOD-1 may be a possible biomarker for assessing chronic Hg toxicity.
Highlights
Richardson et al (2011) estimate that over 180 million Americans carry a total of more than one billion restored teeth [1]
To determine whether heavy metals, antioxidant enzymes (SOD-1) and glutathione levels could be affected by the chronic presence of heavy metals in women who had dental amalgam fillings
Ag, Al and Ba levels increased in women who had dental amalgam fillings for long periods
Summary
Richardson et al (2011) estimate that over 180 million Americans carry a total of more than one billion restored teeth (based on 2001–2004 population statistics) [1]. Many epidemiological studies have failed to establish clear association between amalgam fillings presence and health problem [2]. Copper and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase, (Cu/Zn- cytoplasmic enzyme (SOD-1) metabolizes superoxide radicals to molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, providing defense against oxygen toxicity [9,10,11]. For this reason, there is a need to establish whether the Hg from dental amalgam fillings can increase heavy metal release and affect glutathione or SOD-1 activity as compensatory mechanism in patients (women). Epidemiological studies have failed to establish clear association between dental fillings presence and health problems
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