Mercury in traditional Tibetan medicine-panacea or problem?

Symptoms of mercury toxicity, biochemical changes, and blood/urine mercury levels were evaluated in a small group of patients. Six patients attending Delek Hospital, Dharamsala, India, taking mercury-containing traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) (Group I), were compared with three patients taking no...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human & experimental toxicology 2006-07, Vol.25 (7), p.405-412
Main Authors: Sallon, S, Namdul, T, Dolma, S, Dorjee, P, Dolma, D, Sadutshang, T, Ever-Hadani, P, Bdolah-Abram, T, Apter, S, Almog, S, Roberts, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
Drugs, Chinese Herbal - adverse effects
Drugs, Chinese Herbal - chemistry
Humans
India
Medical sciences
Medicine, Tibetan Traditional
Mercury - adverse effects
Mercury - analysis
Mercury - urine
Mercury Poisoning - etiology
Metals and various inorganic compounds
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects
Time Factors
Toxicology
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Summary:Symptoms of mercury toxicity, biochemical changes, and blood/urine mercury levels were evaluated in a small group of patients. Six patients attending Delek Hospital, Dharamsala, India, taking mercury-containing traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) (Group I), were compared with three patients taking non-mercury containing TTM (Group II) and healthy volunteers (Group III). Quantitative estimation of mercury ingestion based on chemical analysis was compared with US regulatory standards. Results: Group I were significantly older (mean 55 years9 / SE 6.4) range 26-69 years, than Group II (26.7 years±SE 5) range 17-34 years and Group III (32.5 years±SE 0.5) range 33-34 years (P=0.05). Group I took TTM on average for 51 months and had a mean of 2.5 non-specific, mercury-related symptoms. Group I had higher mean diastolic pressures (85 mmHg) than Group II (73 mmHg) (P=0.06) and more loose teeth. Mean daily mercury intake for Group I was 674 mg, estimated as 10 mg/kg per day. (Established reference dose for chronic oral exposure: 0.3 mg/kg per day.) Blood mercury levels were non-detectable, but mean urinary mercury levels for Group I were 67 mg/L (EPA levels < 20 mg/L). Renal and liver function tests were not significantly different between groups and within normal clinical range. Conclusions: Prolonged ingestion of mercury containing TTM is associated with absent blood levels, but relatively high urinary levels. Further studies are needed to evaluate toxicity and therapeutic potential.
ISSN:0960-3271
1477-0903
DOI:10.1191/0960327106ht639oa