Influence of amalgam fillings on Hg levels and total antioxidant activity in plasma of healthy donors

In order to evaluate the influence of specific factors on mercury (P-Hg) levels and antioxidant power (P-FRAP) in human plasma, 26 healthy donors were examined by a dentist, their plasma analyzed for Hg by atomic absorption spectrometry and for total antioxidant activity by FRAP method. Hg plasma concentration was found to be correlated with the number of amalgam fillings, suggesting that Hg released from fillings is a source of Hg in non-occupational exposed subjects. P-FRAP correlated negatively with P-Hg suggesting a pro-oxidant role of the Hg released from amalgam fillings. Though age by itself was not significantly correlated with P-FRAP, when considered together with P-Hg in multivariate analysis, it was found to be a major related cofactor. Multivariate analysis showed no influence of fish consumption or cigarette smoking on P-FRAP.