MARKERS OF VASCULAR TONE AND INFLAMMATION IN PERSONS EXPOSED TO MERCURY

Abstract

Introduction. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an important link in the development of cardiovascular disease. There is evidence that exposure to mercury and its compounds can be a risk factor for the development of ED. The aim - the study of endothelial dysfunction markers involved in the regulation of vascular tone, inflammation, and vascular endothelial damage in patients with cardiovascular disease, the exposed and unexposed mercury. Material and Methods. In persons exposed due to their occupational activities with metallic mercury, who had been working for over five years, people with newly diagnosed chronic mercury intoxication and patients with chronic mercury intoxication in the long post-exposure period, and the persons are not exposed mercury a cross-sectional survey was conducted using biochemical methods Results. In examinees there have been revealed changes in the content of biochemical indices of ED - reducing nitrogen oxide, an elevated level of endothelin-1, angiotensin II, histamine, hsCRP, homocysteine. There has been established a breach in the content of ED markers that are pathogenic factors in the development of ED and, as a consequence, the development of cardiovascular disease in chronic mercury exposure. Conclusion. In persons exposed to mercury there were the most pronounced changes in the regulation of vascular tone, which may be one of the factors in the development of vascular disease. At the same time the importance of inflammation indices and vascular endothelial damage plays a secondary role.