Distribution and excretion of mercury compounds after single injection

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1959 · AMA Arch. Ind. Health; (United States)

OSTI ID:6451396

Swensson, A; Lundgren, K D; Lindstroem, O

A study has been made of the distribution and excretion of mercuric nitrate, phenyl mercuric acetate, and methyl mercuric hydroxide after intravenous injection of small doses in rats and dogs. Immediately after injection the mercury content of the blood was very high, but it fell rapidly and after 5-10 minutes reached a level below which it decreased very slowly and approximately the same for all three substances. The two organic compounds were to a large extent bound erythrocytes, whereas the inorganic compound was transported in the plasma. The presence of mercury was demonstrated in the urine immediately after injection in the case of all three compounds. After single injections of small doses all three compounds were deposited in the central nervous system to but a small extent. No systematic differences between the substances were evident. Mercuric nitrate and phenyl mercuric acetate were deposited chiefly in the kidneys, whereas the methyl mercuric hydroxide appeared to be distributed more uniformly throughout the body. The supply of mercuric nitrate gave a high content of mercury in the colon wall.

• Research Organization: Karolinska Sjukhuset and King Gustaf V Research Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
• OSTI ID: 6451396
• Journal Information: AMA Arch. Ind. Health; (United States), Journal Name: AMA Arch. Ind. Health; (United States) Vol. 20; ISSN AMIHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550500* -- Metabolism
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
BUILDUP
CLEARANCE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DOGS
ELEMENTS
EXCRETION
MAMMALS
MERCURY
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
METALS
RATS
RODENTS
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES