6) Silver is accumulated over the lifetime in the tissues. But note the
part below that states "High concentrations of silver in the tissues,
however, occurs only after the careless administration of
silver-containing medicinals." This is referring to SILVER SALTS and not
colloidal silvers. However, even CS combines with stomach acid and other
substances to create silver salts and so there may be accumulation but
at a low rate.
Goodman and Gilman, _The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics_,
4th ed., 1970, p. 968-969.
Minute amounts of silver are ingested daily, due to the
wide use of this metal in eating utensils, and a portion is
absorbed. It has been demonstrated that silver gradually
accumulates in the body and in the later decades of life
reaches an appreciable concentration. High concentrations of
silver in the tissues, however, occurs only after the careless
administration of silver-containing medicinals. However,
systemic effects do not follow absorption. The absorbed silver
is widely distributed in the body, especially in the
subepithelial portions of the skin, and large amounts can
impart to the skin a characteristic bluish pigmentation. This
pigmented condition is known as _argyria_. The hue may range
from gray to one suggesting marked cyanosis. Part of the
pigment may be silver sulfide, but is also partly metallic
silver, which results from the reduction of silver in the
tissues. As in a photographic emulsion, the reduction is
facilitated by light, and the pigmentation is accentuated by
exposure to light. Expecially those portions of the skin
exposed to light may become discolored. However, the first
sign of argyria may be a slate-blue "silver line" in the
gingival margins next to the teeth. Argyria can be readily
diagnosed and differentiated from other forms of pigmentation
by direct illumination and dark-field examination of biopsied
portions of skin. The silver can be seen in the elastic fibers
of the cutis, the connective tissue sheaths about the sebaceous
glands and hair follicles, and the cutaneous vessels, muscles
and nerves. It is usually thought that the silver is deposited
intra-cellularly. However, Boersma and Baker (1948) claim
that dark-field illumination causes extracellular deposits to
appear as intracellular ones; they report silver to be
deposited extra-cellularly, mainly in elastic fibers.
I do not think that silver particle size plays a role in argyria. I
would be more concerned about total dose over time, avoidance of non
colloidal forms of silver and insuring that the liver and kidneys are
functioning properly. I don't think that anyone can be assured that they
cannot develop argyria no matter what dosages are taken or type of
silver used given that individual human physiology has so much
variability.
- Steve N
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