Cinnabaris is a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) commonly used for sedation and tranquilization in clinics, and its safety has always been a concern. This study intends to investigate the species and tissue distribution of mercury in rats after continuous administration of Cinnabaris. In the experiment, 30 rats were randomly divided into the control group(equivalent to 0.5% carboxy-methyl cellulose sodium), low-dose Cinnabaris group(0.2 g·kg~(-1)), high-dose Cinnabaris group(2 g·kg~(-1)), pseudogerm-free control group(equivalent to 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), and pseudogerm-free Cinnabaris group(2 g·kg~(-1)). They were orally administered for 30 consecutive days. Ultrasound-assisted acid extraction method combined with high performance liquid chromatography and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(HPLC-ICP-MS) was adopted to determine inorganic mercury [Hg(Ⅱ)], methylmercury(MeHg), and ethylmercury(EtHg) in different tissue, plasma, urine, and feces of rats. The optimal detection conditions and extraction methods were optimized, and the linearity(R~2>0.999 3), precision(RSD<7.0%), and accuracy(spike recoveries ranged from 73.05% to 109.5%) of all the mercury species were satisfied, meeting the requirements of analysis. The results of mercury species detection showed that Hg(Ⅱ) was detected in all the tissue of the five experimental groups, and the main accumulating organs were the intestinal tract, stomach, and kidney. MeHg existed at a low concentration in most tissue, and EtHg was not detected in all groups. In addition, pathological examination results showed that hepatocyte vacuolar degeneration, loose cytoplasm, light staining, and mononuclear cell infiltration were observed in the high-dose Cinnabaris group, low-dose Cinnabaris group, and pseudogerm-free Cinnabaris group, with slightly milder lesions in the low-dose Cinnabaris group. Hydrous degeneration of renal tubular epithelium could be seen in the high-dose Cinnabaris group and pseudogerm-free Cinnabaris group, but there was no significant difference between the other groups and the control group. No abnormal changes were found in the brain tissue of rats in each group. This paper studied the different mercury species and tissue distribution in normal and pseudogerm-free rats after continuous administration of Cinnabaris for 30 days and clarified its effects on the tissue structure of the liver, kidney, and brain, which provided supporting evidence for the safety evaluation of Cinnabaris.
Rats ; Animals ; Mercury/analysis* ; Tissue Distribution ; Methylmercury Compounds/analysis* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Sodium

In this study, the content of five heavy metals(Pb, Cd, As, Hg, and Cu) in 59 batches of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos(LJF) medicinal materials and pieces were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS). The health risk assessment was processed using the maximum estimated daily intake(EDI), target hazard quotients(THQ), and carcinogenic risks(CR) assessment models. With reference to the limit standard for heavy metal content in LJF specified in 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, five batches produced in Hebei were found to contain excessive Pb, and the remaining 54 batches met the specifications, with the unqualified rate of 8.47%. Comparative analysis of heavy metal content in LJF samples from three different producing areas, namely Shandong, Henan, and Hebei showed that the levels of Pb, As, and Hg in LJF from Hebei were significantly higher than those from Henan and Shandong. The samples produced in Shandong contained the highest content of Cd. The samples from Hebei contained the highest content of Cu while those from Shandong had the lowest content of Cu. As demonstrated by health risk assessment based on the EDI, THQ and CR models, these 59 batches of LJF samples did not cause significant health hazards for the exposed population, and there was no potential non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risk. In conclusion, a few of LJF samples contained excessive heavy metals, so some measures, including controlling production environment, cultivating management mode, and optimizing processing methods, should be taken for ensuring the medication safety of LJF.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Environmental Pollution/analysis* ; Mercury/toxicity* ; Metals, Heavy/toxicity* ; Risk Assessment

In this paper, some quality problems of mineral medicine Calamina and calcined Calamina have been discussed after determination and analysis of the quality parameters of a large number of market samples, and the countermeasures are put forward. According to the XRD results, as well as the results of tests included in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2015 edition), the authenticity of Calamina and calcined Calamina samples were identified. The content of zinc oxide in samples were determined by the method of determination in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Individually, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry(ICP-AES) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry(AFS) methods were used for the determination of impurity elements and harmful elements in Calamina and calcined Calamina samples. Four kinds of impurity elements of magnesium(Mg), iron(Fe), aluminum(Al), calcium(Ca) and five harmful elements such as lead(Pb), cadmium(Cd), arsenic(As), copper(Cu), mercury(Hg) were measured. The study showed that: ① Fake Calamina products on the market were overflowing; ② The mineral origin of the mainstream Calamina in the market is inconsistent with that stipulated in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2015 edition); ③ The contents of harmful elements Pb and Cd in Calamina and calcined Calamina are generally higher, while the contents of harmful elements As and Cu in some inferior Calaminae are higher; ④ Parts of calcined Calamina were improperly or inadequately processed. In view of these quality problems, the countermeasures are put forward as follows: ① It is suggested that hydrozincite should be approved as the mineral source of Calamina, and be included by Chinese Pharmacopoeia; ② Strengthen the research on the specificity of Calamina identification methods to improve the quality control level; ③ Strengthen the research on the processing of Calamina, and formulate the limit standards for the content of Pb and Cd in Calamina; ④ Carry out research on the artificial synthesis of Calamina and calcined Calamina, in order to cope with the current shortage of Calamina resources and ensure the sustainable development of Calamina medicinal materials.
Arsenic ; Cadmium ; Copper ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards* ; Ferric Compounds/standards* ; Iron ; Lead ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mercury ; Minerals ; Quality Control ; Trace Elements/analysis* ; Zinc Oxide/standards*

Mercury is a global pollutant. Children are vulnerable to environmental toxicants. Seafood consumption is a major source of methylmercury exposure. In order to ascertain children's mercury exposure levels and study their relationship with seafood consumption, we conducted a cross-sectional study among preschool children in Shanghai. According to our data, the geometric mean of the mercury levels in children's hair was 191.9 (95% CI: 181.8, 202.4) μg/kg. These results indicate that high income may be a predictor of elevated mercury levels in children's hair. Intake of marine fish, especially tuna and pomfret, was documented in our study and found to increase the risk of high mercury levels. Frequency of fish consumption was positively related with hair mercury levels. Our study is the first to provide baseline data for hair mercury concentration among preschool children in Shanghai.
Child, Preschool ; China ; Food Contamination ; Hair ; chemistry ; Humans ; Mercury ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Seafood ; analysis ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; chemistry

The laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was applied to perform a qualitative elementary analysis on four precious Tibetan medicines, i. e. Renqing Mangjue, Renqing Changjue, 25-herb coral pills and 25-herb pearl pills. The specific spectra of the four Tibetan medicines were established. In the experiment, Nd: YAG and 1 064 nm-baseband pulse laser were adopted to collect the spectra. A laser beam focused on the surface of the samples to generate plasma. Its spectral signal was detected by using spectrograph. Based on the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) database, LIBS spectral lines were indentified. The four Tibetan medicines mainly included Ca, Na, K, Mg and other elements and C-N molecular band. Specifically, Fe was detected in Renqing Changjue and 25-herb pearl pills; heavy mental elements Hg and Cu were shown in Renqing Mangjue and Renqing Changjue; Ag was found in Renqing Changjue. The results demonstrated that LIBS is a reliable and rapid multi-element analysis on the four Tibetan medicines. With Real-time, rapid and nondestructive advantages, LIBS has a wide application prospect in the element analysis on ethnic medicines.
Calcium ; analysis ; Copper ; analysis ; Iron ; analysis ; Lasers ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Mercury ; analysis ; Silver ; analysis ; Spectrum Analysis ; methods

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of dietary factors for mercury exposure by comparing with blood mercury concentration. Study population consisted of 1,866 adults (839 men and 1,027 women) in randomly-selected 30 districts in southeast Korea. Dietary mercury intake was calculated from food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) on seafood items and 24 hr recall record. Blood mercury concentration was measured with atomic absorption spectrometry. Mean age of the subjects was 43.5 +/- 14.6 yr. The FFQ showed that mercury-laden fish (tuna, shark) and frequently-eating fish (squid, belt fish, mackerel) were important in mercury intake from fish species. The recall record suggested that fish and shellfish was a highest group (63.1%) of mercury intake and had a wide distribution in the food groups. In comparison with the blood mercury concentration, age group, sex, household income, education, drinking status and coastal area were statistically significant (P < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, coefficient from the FFQ (beta = 0.003) had greater effect on the blood mercury than the recall record (beta = 0.002), but the effect was restricted (adjusted R2 = 0.234). Further studies with more precise estimation of dietary mercury intake were required to evaluate the risk for mercury exposure by foods and assure risk communication with heavily-exposed group.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Alcohol Drinking ; Demography ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; *Food Habits ; Humans ; Male ; Mercury/*blood ; Middle Aged ; Questionnaires ; Regression Analysis ; Seafood/*analysis ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate atmospheric mercury concentration in the workplace and urinary mercury concentration in workers exposed to mercury in a thermometer factory, and to determine the levels and influencing factors of urinary Β₂-microglobulin (Β₂-MG) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) in these workers.

METHODSAn occupational health survey of the workplace was completed according to relevant national occupational health standards. Questionnaire survey and occupational health examination were conducted in 178 workers exposed to mercury in the factory. Statistical analysis was accomplished using SPSS 19.0.

RESULTSIn the workplace, atmospheric mercury concentration was out of limits at seven of eight detection points expressed by short-term exposure limit; it was out of limits at all the eight detection points shown by time-weighted average. Statistically significant difference in atmospheric mercury concentration was found among different detection points (F = 138.714, P < 0.001). The geometric mean of urinary mercury concentration measured in 154 workers was 171.607 µg/g. There were 127 workers with urinary mercury concentration exceeding the standard (82.5% over-standard rate). Significant difference in urinary mercury concentration was shown in the workers among different positions (χ² = 44.531, P < 0.01). Urinary mercury concentration was positively correlated with atmospheric mercury concentration (r = 0.624, P < 0.01). The mean urinary Β₂-MG level measured in 148 workers was 0.142 mg/L, and seven workers had urinary Β₂-MG levels greater than 0.3 mg/L (4.7% abnormal rate). The mean urinary RBP level measured in 153 workers was 0.485 mg/L, and 19 workers had urinary RBP levels greater than 0.7 mg/L (12.4% abnormal rate). Ordinal logistic regression showed that age >34 years (OR = 4.88, 95%CI: 2.24∼10.62) and length of service >15 years (OR = 2.50, 95%CI: 1.06-5.92) were risk factors for increased urinary Β₂-MG level. Age >45 years (OR = 7.52, 95%CI: 2.50∼22.65) was a risk factor for increased urinary RBP level.

CONCLUSIONIn the thermometer factory under study, atmospheric and urinary mercury concentrations both seriously exceeded the standards, which were harmful to the health of workers. High atmospheric mercury concentration, old age, and long length of service were risk factors for increased urinary Β₂-MG and RBP levels in workers exposed to mercury.

Adult ; Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; Mercury ; analysis ; toxicity ; Occupational Exposure ; Risk Factors ; Threshold Limit Values ; Time Factors ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo establish a highly sensitive fluorometric nanobiosensor for determination of aqueous mercury ions (Hg(2+)) using optimized mercury-specific oligonucleotide (MSO) probes and graphene oxide (GO).

METHODSThe nanobiosensor was assembled by attaching the self-designed MSO(1) (5' end labeled with fluorophore carboxyfluorescein (FAM), denoted as FAM-MSO(1)) and MSO(2) to the surface of GO through strong non-covalent bonding forces. Upon the addition of Hg(2+), the formation of the T-Hg(2+)-T configuration desorbed the FAM-MSO(1) and MSO(2) from the surface of GO, resulting in a restoration of the fluorescence of FAM-MSO(1). Using the specific mispairing of T-Hg(2+)-T and the changes in fluorescent signals in solutions, quantitative analysis of Hg(2+) could be performed.

RESULTSThe average thickness of the prepared GO sheets was only 1.4 nm. For the Hg(2+) nanobiosensor, the optimum concentrations of FAM-MSO(1) and MSO(2) were both 1 µmol/L, the optimum volume of 0.5 g/L GO was 5 µL, and the limit of detection was 10 pmol/L; it had low cross-reactivity with 10 other kinds of non-specific metal ions; the fluorescence recovery efficiency was up to 65% in the re-determination of Hg(2+) after addition of Na(2)S(2)O(3).

CONCLUSIONThe MSO/GO-based nanobiosensor is convenient to operate, highly sensitive, highly specific, highly accurate, and reusable. It can be applied to determine trace amount of Hg(2+) in aqueous solutions.

Biosensing Techniques ; Fluorometry ; Graphite ; Mercury ; analysis ; Nanotechnology ; Oligonucleotide Probes ; Water

OBJECTIVETo study in vivo mercury absorption and accumulation through repeated transdermal administration of Yuhong ointment containing calomel, in order to provide scientific evidences for clinical safe medication.

METHODA total of 100 SD rats were randomly classified into five groups: the control group, the Yuhong ointment group, the double-concentration Yuhong Ointment group, the quadruple-concentration Yuhong ointment group and the 1.6% calomel group. The rats were treated with the dosage of 0.04 g . cm-2 by repeated transdermal administration for 2, 4 weeks. After the drug discontinuance for 4 weeks, the levels of mercury in blood, urine, and tissues of heart, liver, brain and kidney were determined, respectively.

RESULTCompared with the control group, the blood mercury level of the Yuhong ointment group show no obvious change after treatment for 4 weeks. However, the levels of mercury in blood and urine of other experimental groups increased significantly with time and the increase in dosage, and so did the level of mercury in major organ. At 4 weeks, all experimental groups showed increase in the content of mercury, and kidneys displayed the highest level, whereas brain displayed the lowest level After the drug discontinuance for 4 weeks, the mercury level in blood and urine of every dose group recovered to normal, with significant decline in the content of mercury in each organ.

CONCLUSIONAfter transdermal administration in rats for 4 weeks, there was no obvious absorption of mercury in blood. Mercury was mainly accumulated in kidneys and excreted through urine. The results suggest that the patients' mercury content and kidney function indexes need to be monitored in long-term clinical use of Yuhong ointment.

Absorption ; drug effects ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Male ; Mercury ; analysis ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; urine ; Ointments ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Safety ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVES: The inherent nature of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) design requires special analysis by incorporating sample weights, stratification, and clustering not used in ordinary statistical procedures. METHODS: This study investigated the proportion of research papers that have used an appropriate statistical methodology out of the research papers analyzing the KNHANES cited in the PubMed online system from 2007 to 2012. We also compared differences in mean and regression estimates between the ordinary statistical data analyses without sampling weight and design-based data analyses using the KNHANES 2008 to 2010. RESULTS: Of the 247 research articles cited in PubMed, only 19.8% of all articles used survey design analysis, compared with 80.2% of articles that used ordinary statistical analysis, treating KNHANES data as if it were collected using a simple random sampling method. Means and standard errors differed between the ordinary statistical data analyses and design-based analyses, and the standard errors in the design-based analyses tended to be larger than those in the ordinary statistical data analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Ignoring complex survey design can result in biased estimates and overstated significance levels. Sample weights, stratification, and clustering of the design must be incorporated into analyses to ensure the development of appropriate estimates and standard errors of these estimates.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Bone Density ; Cadmium/blood ; Creatinine/blood ; Female ; Hemoglobins/analysis ; Humans ; Lead/blood ; Male ; Mercury/blood ; Middle Aged ; *Nutrition Surveys ; PubMed ; Republic of Korea ; *Research Design