Mercury excretion and intravenous ascorbic acid

Area of Science:

• Environmental Toxicology
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

• Mercury exposure from dental amalgam, food, and other sources is a public health concern.
• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been anecdotally suggested to aid in mercury detoxification.
• Understanding the physiological impact of intravenous ascorbic acid on heavy metal excretion is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether intravenous ascorbic acid administration enhances urinary mercury and lead excretion.
• To test the hypothesis that ascorbic acid facilitates the removal of mercury in individuals with low to moderate mercury levels.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 28 adult volunteers with the highest mercury excretion rates.
• Administration of intravenous infusions: 500 ml lactated Ringer's solution with and without 750 mg/kg body weight ascorbic acid (up to 60 g).
• Measurement of urinary mercury and lead excretion over 24 hours post-infusion.

Main Results:

• Average mercury excretion was 4.0 ± 0.5 micrograms/24h after ascorbic acid infusion, compared to 3.7 ± 0.5 micrograms/24h after Ringer's solution alone.
• The difference in mercury excretion between the two conditions was not statistically significant.
• Lead excretion levels also remained unaffected by ascorbic acid administration.

Conclusions:

• Intravenous ascorbic acid does not significantly increase short-term urinary excretion of mercury or lead in subjects with low mercury burdens.
• Observed benefits of ascorbic acid in individuals with suspected mercury reactions may not be mediated by enhanced heavy metal excretion.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind any potential therapeutic effects of ascorbic acid in mercury-related conditions.