http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1751-7176.2011.00489.x/full
Abstract
J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:621–627. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mercury
has a high affinity for sulfhydryl groups, inactivating numerous
enzymatic reactions, amino acids, and sulfur-containing antioxidants
(N-acetyl-L-cysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, L-glutathione), with subsequent
decreased oxidant defense and increased oxidative stress. Mercury binds
to metallothionein and substitute for zinc, copper, and other trace
metals, reducing the effectiveness of metalloenzymes. Mercury induces
mitochondrial dysfunction with reduction in adenosine triphosphate,
depletion of glutathione, and increased lipid peroxidation. Increased
oxidative stress and reduced oxidative defense are common. Selenium and
fish containing omega-3 fatty acids antagonize mercury toxicity. The
overall vascular effects of mercury include increased oxidative stress
and inflammation, reduced oxidative defense, thrombosis, vascular smooth
muscle dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, dyslipidemia, and immune
and mitochondrial dysfunction. The clinical consequences of mercury
toxicity include hypertension, coronary heart disease, myocardial
infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, reduced heart rate variability,
increased carotid intima-media thickness and carotid artery obstruction,
cerebrovascular accident, generalized atherosclerosis, and renal
dysfunction, insufficiency, and proteinuria. Pathological, biochemical,
and functional medicine correlations are significant and logical.
Mercury diminishes the protective effect of fish and omega-3 fatty
acids. Mercury inactivates catecholaminei-0-methyl transferase, which
increases serum and urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
This effect will increase blood pressure and may be a clinical clue to
mercury-induced heavy metal toxicity. Mercury toxicity should be
evaluated in any patient with hypertension, coronary heart disease,
cerebral vascular disease, cerebrovascular accident, or other vascular
disease. Specific testing for acute and chronic toxicity and total body
burden using hair, toenail, urine, and serum should be performed.
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