Interaction of alkylmercuric compounds with sodium selenite. III. Biotransformation, levels of metallothioneinlike proteins and endogenous copper in some tissues of rats exposed to methyl or ethylmercuric chloride with and without sodium selenite

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8560423· OSTI ID:6080263

Brzeznicka, E A; Chmielnicka, J

The biotransformation efficiency of alkylmercurial compounds was studied in rat liver, kidneys, blood, and brain after 2-week administration of methylmercuric chloride (MeHg) and ethylmercuric chloride (EtHg) at doses of 0.25 or 2.5 mg Hg/kg, alone or in combination with sodium selenite (Se) at a level of 0.5 mg Se/kg. Simultaneously, the level of metallothioneinlike proteins (MTP) and endogenous copper (Cu) was monitored in tissues of control rats and intoxicated rats. Regardless of the dose, the highest concentrations of inorganic mercury from both the alkylmercurials was found in the rat kidneys. Sodium selenite had a variable effect on the amount of inorganic mercury liberated, depending on the organ and the molar ratio of Hg:Se administered. A statistically significant increase in the levels of MTP and endogenous Cu, compared with control group, was found only in the kidneys of intoxicated rats. This increase was dependent on the concentration of inorganic mercury liberated by biotransformation of alkylmercurials. The observed changes appeared when the level of inorganic mercury exceeded 10 g Hg/g tissue and reached a plateau at about 40 g Hg/g tissue. In the presence of selenium the plateau of MTP and Cu levels were not observed in the kidneys, regardless of the amount of inorganic mercury liberated.

• Research Organization: Medical Academy of Lodz, Poland
• OSTI ID: 6080263
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 60; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL LOCALIZATION
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CONCENTRATION RATIO
COPPER
DATA
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GLANDS
INFORMATION
KIDNEYS
LIVER
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MERCURY
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
METALLOPROTEINS
METALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PROTEINS
RATS
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
RODENTS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
STIMULATION
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES