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Effects of selenium and mercury on glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes in experimental quail

Journal Article · · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01699198· OSTI ID:5695912
;
The protecting effect of selenium against the toxicity of methylmercury (MM) and mutual Se-Hg antagonism has long been known. The defensive action of Se does not occur by greater Hg body excretion but by a rearrangement in the accumulation pattern of Hg in organs. According to some authors, the Se-Hg interaction is brought about by endogenous glutathione (GSH) which in reducing selenite to selenide favors the formation of bis-methylmercury selenide. The high lipoaffinity of this compound alters the metabolism and distribution of mercury in critical tissues and thus its toxicity. The function of GSH as a protective agent against MM toxicity has recently been confirmed. GST is an important family of isozenzymes with binding properties which metabolize drugs and xenobiotics. These enzymes could indeed have an important function in Se-Hg antagonism. Their participation in conjugation with GSH and bile excretion of MM has been suggested by Refsvik although other authors seem to exclude it. In the present paper the behavior of GST isoenzymes in quail liver after combined Se-Hg treatment was studied; in addition other enzymes which regulate the GSH metabolism as well as the hapatic levels of Se, Hg, GSH and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) have been investigated.
Research Organization:
Universita Degli Studi Di Siena (Italy)
OSTI ID:
5695912
Journal Information:
Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 42:1; ISSN BECTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BILE
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIRDS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
CHEMISTRY
CLEARANCE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DRUGS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
EXCRETION
FOWL
GLANDS
GLUTATHIONE
ISOENZYMES
LIVER
MATERIALS
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PEPTIDES
POLYPEPTIDES
PROTEINS
RADIOPROTECTIVE SUBSTANCES
TRANSFERASES
VERTEBRATES