Synergism of methylmercury and selenium producing enhanced antibody formation in mice

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Arch. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1979.10667408· OSTI ID:5557076

Koller, L D; Isaacson-Kerkvliet, N; Exon, J H; Brauner, J A; Patton, N M

Mice fed 1, 5, and 10 ppM methylmercury plus 6 ppM selenium for 10 wk had a significant increase in antibody synthesis. Since methylmercury singly depresses antibody synthesis and the response was greater than that produced by selenium alone, synergism between methylmercury and selenium occurred. In this case, the synergism is considered to be advantageous to a host, while exposure by other combinations of environmental contaminants may be detrimental. Mercury concentrations in the kidney were markedly elevated when methylmercury and selenium were administered simultaneously compared to when methylmercury was given without selenium supplement. These results indicate that data collected from individual pollutants may not be of value in predicting responses to multiple exposure.

• Research Organization: Oregon State Univ., Corvallis
• OSTI ID: 5557076
• Journal Information: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 34:4; ISSN AEHLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550200 -- Biochemistry
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
ANTIBODIES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOSYNTHESIS
BODY
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ELEMENTS
INGESTION
INTAKE
KIDNEYS
MAMMALS
METHYLMERCURY
MICE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RODENTS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SYNERGISM
SYNTHESIS
VERTEBRATES