تاثير درازمدت و كوتاه مدت املاح جيوه بر متابوليسم آهن در رات

THE SHORT AND LONG TERM EFFECT OF MERCURY ON IRON METABOLISM IN RAT

Background & Aim: Iron is one of the essential trace elements which has crucial metabolic and hematologic effects. Restricted intake, low intestinal absorption and important metabolic role make iron a very important trace element in human body which should be studied meticulously. Mercury which used in dentistry material, industry and agriculture adversely affect on Iron Metabolism; therefore we decided to study the effects of mercury on iron metabolism in rat in vivo and in vitro. Materials & Methods : Each group of 5 rats were treated with daily IP injection of either 5 mg/kg (Body weight) HgC12 for 10 days and 2 mg/kg B.W. for 30 and 60 days, before determination of serum levels of iron, TIBC Ceruloplasmin and evaluation of peripheral blood smear with Hb, HCT assay. Results : The results obtained are as follows. Daily intraperitoneal injection of 5mg/kg B.W. of mercury chloride for 10 days elevated serum Ceruloplasmin and TIBC by 14.5, 20.7 percent, Iron, Hb and hematocrit were decreased 7.1, 8.2 and 9. percent respectively. Daily intraperitoneal injection of 2mg/kg B.W. of mercury chloride for 30 and 60 days elevated TIBC by 27.7 and 58.8 percent, Ceruloplasmin by 47 and 70 percent but decreased HCT by 18 and 24 percent, iron by 14.5 and 43 percent respectively. Peripheral blood smear show hypochrom. Optimum time for iron absorption by everted gut sac was 45 minutes. Iron in the form of divalent was absorbed in E.G.S. Experiment by 12.7 percent. Absorption of iron by everted gut sac in the presence of mercury was decreased by 22 percent. Discussion: The results show that mercury could affect on iron metabolism in a dose and time dependent manner. The decreasing of iron in the presence of mercury by E.G.S. may be related to competition of mercury with iron to occupying the specific sites on transferring. This effect might be considered as a possible cause of Iron deficiency anemia in those who are intoxified with mercury.