Stimulation of lipid peroxidation by methyl mercury in rats

Journal Article · Mon Mar 28 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Life Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(83)90917-7· OSTI ID:5695925

Yonaha, M ^[1]; Saito, M; Sagai, M

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1. Hokkaido Inst. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Katsuraoka-cho, Japan

As an index of lipid peroxidation, thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactive substances in the liver, kidney, and serum, and hydrocarbons (ethane and pentane) in the exhalation of rats injected subcutaneously with 10 mg/kg/day of methylmercuric chloride (MMC) were determined. Formation of TBA-reactive substances in the liver and kidney of rats was significantly increased 4 and 2 days after initial injection of MMC, respectively. The result for serum was similar to that for the kidney. The maximum ethane production in the exhaled gases was observed 4 days after initial injection of MMC, and thereafter decreased slowly. Pentane production was significantly increased 5 days after initial injection of MMC, and thereafter continued to increase. Glutathione peroxidase activity and amount of vitamin C in the liver were depleted 4 days after initial injection of MMC; vitamin E was not depleted. In the kidney, significant decreases of glutathione peroxidase activity and vitamin C content were also seen 4 days after initial injection of MMC, but vitamin E content was unaltered. Thus, a clear increase of lipid peroxidation as determined by measurement of TBA-reactive substances in tissues and of hydrocarbons in the exhaled gases of rats after MMC treatment was demonstrated, though there was a lag phase of several days before the increase of lipid peroxidation. It is suggested that the significant increase of lipid peroxide formation may be a result of depletion of defending factors against lipid peroxidation.

• OSTI ID: 5695925
• Journal Information: Life Sci.; (United States), Vol. 32:13
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
LIPIDS
OXIDATION
METHYLMERCURY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BLOOD SERUM
ETHANE
KIDNEYS
LIVER
PENTANE
RATS
SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION
ALKANES
ANIMALS
BODY
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
GLANDS
HYDROCARBONS
INJECTION
INTAKE
MAMMALS
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)