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Mercury and selenium distribution in human kidney cortex

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Abstract

Concentration of mercury and selenium were analyzed in tissue fractions of human kidney cortex samples from seven autopsy cases. Total mercury content ranged between 0.3–9.0 nmol Hg/g wet wt. Between 27–61% of the total mercury was found in the 105,000g supernatant of the tissue homogenate from six cases. In kidney cortex from the seventh case, a deceased dentist with the highest concentration of mercury, only 3% of the total mercury was found in the 105,000g supernatant and about 88% in a SDS-insoluble fraction. In this fraction the molar ratio between mercury and selenium was close to 1∶1. This study supports results from previous animal studies and indicates that mercury in human kidney cortex could be deposited in forms with different solubility. It could be of importance to speciate different forms of mercury in tissues according to solubility and association to selenium when interpretations of mercury concentrations are made.

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Author notes

  1. Magnus Nylander

    Present address: Unit for Applied Biochemistry, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Hygiene, Karolinska Institutet, PO Box 60 400, S-104 01, Stockholm, Sweden

    Lars Björkman, Brita Palm, Magnus Nylander & Monica Nordberg

Authors
  1. Lars Björkman
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  2. Brita Palm
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  3. Magnus Nylander
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  4. Monica Nordberg
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Björkman, L., Palm, B., Nylander, M. et al. Mercury and selenium distribution in human kidney cortex. Biol Trace Elem Res 40, 255–265 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02950798

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02950798

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