Mercury exposure in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients from Ganga plain region in India: A retrospective study |
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Authors: | Alok Kumar Vikram Bhardwaj Jitendra Nath Tiwari Devendra Kumar Patel Dhruv Sen Singh Ram Lakhan Singh |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Neurology , Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences , Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226014, UP, India;2. Center of Advanced Study in Geology , University of Lucknow , Lucknow, UP, India;3. Analytical Chemistry Division , Indian Institute of Toxicology Research , Lucknow, UP, India;4. Department of Biochemistry , Dr. RML Avadh University , Faizabad, UP, India |
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Abstract: | Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive disorder that usually runs a fatal course within 2–5 years of onset, is characterized by loss of motor neurons in the cortex, brain stem, and spinal cord. In this study mercury (Hg) concentrations were determined in blood samples of 40 ALS patients, of whom 24 ALS patients were from the Ganga plain region and their metal levels were found to be significantly higher. In contrast, Hg levels in the 16 ALS patients from non-Ganga plain regions whose levels were similar to those of the control subjects. Mercury in stream water samples and freshly deposited stream sediment were determined in the locations of patients’ native residences along the Ganga plain region and metal levels were found to be higher than the threshold guideline values for Hg in stream waters recommended by WHO. The geo-accumulation index in selected sites of freshly deposited stream sediment ranged from moderate to highly polluted. The high levels of Hg observed in ALS patients may potentially alter the redox status of neuronal cell components and induce cell-death pathways. |
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Keywords: | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mercury intoxication Ganga plain region environmental factors redox status |
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