Exposure to mercury among dental health workers in Turkey: correlation with amalgam work and own fillings.

Purpose: To investigate the current status of exposure to mercury (Hg) among dental health workers in Turkey.

Methods: A total of 115 persons working in the same hospital were included in the study and were divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of 67 dentists; group 2 consisted of 21 dental personnel who work with amalgam, and group 3 consisted of 27 control subjects who work in the same hospital but are non-dental personnel.

Effects of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) polymorphism on toxic metal and trace element levels in placental tissues.

The placenta is a crucial organ of fetal origin that functions in providing nutrients to the fetus from the mother. During pregnancy, the need for essential micronutrients, such as Fe and Zn, increases due to the requirements of the growing fetus. Maternal Fe deficiency induces an increase in Cu levels and can also affect cytokine levels in the placenta.

The potential effect of metallothionein 2A -5A/G single nucleotide polymorphism on blood cadmium, lead, zinc and copper levels.

Metallothioneins (MTs) are low molecular weight, cysteine-rich, metal-binding proteins. Because of their rich thiol groups, MTs bind to the biologically essential metals and perform these metals' homeostatic regulations; absorb the heavy metals and assist with their transportation and extraction. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the metallothionein 2A (MT2A) core promoter region -5 A/G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu levels in the blood samples.

The effects of metallothionein 2A polymorphism on placental cadmium accumulation: Is metallothionein a modifiying factor in transfer of micronutrients to the fetus?

Metallothionein affects the metabolism, transport and storage of micronutrients such as zinc, copper and iron, and the detoxification of heavy metals, especially cadmium. Cd is a common, highly toxic environmental pollutant that accumulates in human placenta, elevated concentrations of which are associated with impaired zinc transfer to the fetus. This prospective study investigated the effects of metallothionein 2A (MT2A) -5 A/G single nucleotide polymorphism on the accumulation of Cd in human placenta and micronutrient transfer to the fetus in 95 pregnant women and their newborns.