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Changed Clinical Chemistry Pattern in Blood After Removal of Dental Amalgam and other Metal Alloys Supported by Antioxidant Therapy

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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate a possible connection between removal of dental amalgam restorations supported by antioxidant therapy and indicative changes of clinical chemistry parameters. A group of 24 patients, referred for complaints related to amalgam restorations, underwent a removal of their amalgams. All patients were treated with antioxidants (vitamin B-complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, and sodium selenite). An age- and sex-matched control group of 22 individuals was also included. The mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) concentration in plasma, Hg concentration in erythrocytes, and 17 clinical chemistry variables were examined in three groups: patients before amalgam removal (Before), patients after amalgam removal (After), and control individuals (Control). The Hg and Se values decreased (p < 0.05) in plasma, and the Hg concentration decreased (p < 0.05) in erythrocytes after amalgam removal. The variables serum lactate dehydrogenase (serum LDH) and serum sodium differed significantly both when comparing Control with Before (p < 0.01) and Before with After (p < 0.01). The variables white blood cell count (WBC), blood neutrophil count, blood eosinophil count, blood basophil count, blood lymphocyte count, blood monocyte count, serum potassium, and serum creatinine differed in the Before/After test (p < 0.05). Multivariate statistics (discriminant function analysis) could separate the groups Before and After with only one misclassification.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the personnel at the former Department of Clinical Metal Biology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Financial support from the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs is duly recognized.

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Correspondence to Peter Frisk.

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Frisk, P., Danersund, A., Hudecek, R. et al. Changed Clinical Chemistry Pattern in Blood After Removal of Dental Amalgam and other Metal Alloys Supported by Antioxidant Therapy. Biol Trace Elem Res 120, 163–170 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-007-8026-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-007-8026-2

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