Effects of mercury (Hg) dental amalgam on renal injury biomarkers in dentists Research Article

Abstract

Dental amalgams are the source of mercury, which has known adverse renal effects. N-Acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and albumin are common urinary biomarkers of renal injury. In the current study, the urinary concentration of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (YGT) and N-Acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) biomarkers and mercury were evaluated among dentists with occupational exposure to mercury products. In this study, 48 dentists were selected for the case group and 48 normal persons were selected for the control group. After informed consent, 20 cc of urine was collected in polyethylene bottles and the concentration of mercury, YGT and NAG factors were measured. The concentration of the YGT factor in case and control groups was 21.3 ± 7.4 mg/dl and 5.1 ± 1.9 mg/dl, respectively. The concentration of the NAG factor in case and control groups was 6.7 ± 1.93 mIU/ml and 4.02± 1.98 mIU/ml, respectively. The concentration of these two biomarkers was significantly higher in dentists compared with controls (P-value <0.05). In this study, the increased urinary excretion levels of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and N-Acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase biomarkers were observed among dentists besides increased levels of mercury. These results demonstrated the importance of dental amalgam as a nephrotoxic agent.