A relationship between vitamin B sub 12 , folic acid, ascorbic acid, and mercury uptake and methylation

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Life Sciences; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(90)90230-O· OSTI ID:6519007

Zorn, N E; Smith, J T ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville (USA)

Ingestion of megadoses of certain vitamins appears to influence the in vivo methylation of mercuric chloride in guinea pigs. The addition of megadoses of vitamin B{sub 12} fed either singularly or in combination with folic acid resulted in increased methylmercury concentrations in the liver. Moreover, percent methylmercury levels were significantly increased with B{sub 12} treatment in the liver (B{sub 12} only and B{sub 12}/folic acid) and brain (B{sub 12}/vitamin C). Incorporation of high levels of folic acid into the dietary regime also increased the methylmercury concentration particularly in the liver and hair tissues. The addition of vitamin C in the diet, particularly in combination with B{sub 12} (brain) or folic acid (muscle) resulted in increased methylmercury levels in these tissues and percent methylmercury values with B{sub 12} in the muscle and brain tissue.

• OSTI ID: 6519007
• Journal Information: Life Sciences; (USA), Journal Name: Life Sciences; (USA) Vol. 47:2; ISSN 0024-3205; ISSN LIFSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AMINO ACIDS
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
ASCORBIC ACID
AZAARENES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DISTRIBUTION
DRUGS
FOLIC ACID
GUINEA PIGS
HEMATINICS
HEMATOLOGIC AGENTS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INGESTION
INTAKE
MAMMALS
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
METHYLMERCURY
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PTERIDINES
RODENTS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
VERTEBRATES
VITAMIN B GROUP
VITAMIN B-12
VITAMINS