Protective effect of selenium on methylmercury toxicity: a possible mechanism

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01706230· OSTI ID:5578174

Chang, L W ^[1]; Suber, R

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1. Univ. of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock

Young adult male Charles River rats were injected (i.p.) with 2.0 mg/kg b.w. methylmercury chloride (MeHg), with 2.0 mg/kg b.w. sodium selenite (Se), or with 2.0 mg/kg b.w. MeHg and 2.0 mg/kg b.w. Se. Erythrocytic glutathione peroxidase activity was determined and the rate of oxidation of NADPH with t-butyl-hydroperoxide as a substrate was followed at 340 nm and 25/sup 0/C. Toxic signs (crossing reflex of the hind limbs) were displayed by MeHg-treated animals by the 6th week of intoxication. By 8 weeks of the experiment, overt neurological signs (crossing reflex, ataxic gait, and weight loss) were observed in MeHg-treated animals. No observable toxic signs or symptoms were evident in the control animals (saline or Se-treated) and in the MeHg/Se treated rats. Results have confirmed that exposure to methyl-mercury suppresses the activity of glutathione peroxidase. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that with co-administration of selenium (sodium selenite), the inhibitory effect of MeHg on GSH-Px was totally alleviated. These findings suggest that the level of GSH-Px level is important in influencing the toxic consequences in MeHg-intoxicated animals and may be useful as a predictive indicator for methylmercury toxic conditions of the animals. (JMT)

• OSTI ID: 5578174
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Vol. 29:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
INJURIES
METHYLMERCURY
TOXICITY
OXIDOREDUCTASES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
INHIBITION
SELENIUM
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
RATS
ANIMALS
ELEMENTS
ENZYMES
MAMMALS
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
RODENTS
SEMIMETALS
VERTEBRATES
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)