The evaluation of immunoregulatory markers in the course of neurointoxication by mercury over the post-exposure period

Abstract

There was executed the examination of patients with occupational chronic mercury intoxication in the post-exposure period after the exposure to metallic mercury vapor. 47 persons with an established diagnosis of chronic mercury intoxication (HMI) passed the laboratory and immunological examination in the period of exposure to metallic mercury vapor in a production environment. The average age of men accounted for 49.2±1.2 years. The experience of work in hazardous working conditions amounted of 21.65±1.61 years (1 observation). All these same cases were observed in the institute clinic again after 5 years (2 observation) and 10 years (3 observation). A control group of healthy men consisted of 47 cases included persons of representative both age and general work experience, without a professional route of contact with hazardous substances. The level of such cytokines as IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-a, INF-y and neurotropic IgG class antibodies directed to proteins of the nervous tissue (NF-200, GFAP, MBP, B-dependent Ca-channel, Glu-R, DA-R, R-GABA, Ser-R, R-Chol, DNA, B2GP) in serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. There was established the gain in the imbalance of inflammatory mediators and production ofneural antibodies in dynamics after the termination of the production in conditions of metallic mercury vapors. Revealed features of the regulatory relationship between the level of cytokines and the severity of the autoimmune process were shown to contribute to the maintenance and progression of neurodegenerative processes. There was recommended the identification of immunoregulatory markers (IL-1β, IL-4, TNF-a, NF-AT to 200, GFAP, S-100) as an additional criteria for the diagnosis of health disorders in operating and monitoring the course of the progredient professional mercury intoxication.