| Research Abstract |
The result of the studies carried out for three years, 1994 to 1996, can be summarized as follows.
1) In this study, we attempted to perform the X-ray microanalysis, ie, one pixel is 5*5mum^2, to reveal trace element distribution of human hair cross sections without washing the samples. The SR-XRF imaging technique used in this study clearly revealed differential distribution of Zn and Pb in the cross hair secton of the smelter.
2) A study of alterations in mammalian Cu, Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase caused by methylmercury has been reviewed. Mechanisms for the isozyme-elective decrease in Mn-SOD by the organometallic compound observrd in vivo has been extensively examined by experiments with purified enzyme preparations.
3) The metal leveals in blood and hair reached a maximum at 7 and 8.5 days, respectively, but these elimination curves exhibited a similar pattern (r=0.97) with a time lag (about 3.5 days).
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