Effect of selenium on distribution, demethylation, and excretion of methylmercury by the guinea pig

Journal Article · · J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287398309530469· OSTI ID:6914275

Komsta-Szumska, E; Reuhl, K R; Miller, D R

The influence of selenium on methylmercury excretion, organ and subcellular distribution, and demethylation was studied in the guinea pig at different times following a single equimolar dose (50 ..mu..M/kg) of CH/sub 3//sup 203/HgCl and Na/sub 2/SeO/sub 3/ administered separately or concomitantly per os. Excretion of mercury through feces was the dominant clearance pathway in both groups. Selenium significantly decreased excretion of total and organic mercury in feces during the course of the study, but in the urine only on d 13. Selenium also significantly decreased the concentration of total mercury in major organs. The exception was brain on d 1, in which mercury levels were higher in the presence of selenium; however, on d 7 and 13 both cerebrum and cerebellum showed lower mercury levels as compared to the group treated with methylmercury alone. Selenium had no significant effect on the subcellular mercury distribution in the liver, kidney, and cerebrum, other than that which could be accounted for the whole organ uptake. The level of organic mercury in most of the analyzed organs was significantly decreased by the presence of selenium; however, relative proportions of inorganic to organic mercury remain unchanged. The single exception was kidney, where selenium markedly decreased the relative amount of inorganic mercury.

• Research Organization: National Research Council, Ottawa, Ontario
• OSTI ID: 6914275
• Journal Information: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 12:4-6; ISSN JTEHD
• 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.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CLEARANCE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
EXCRETION
GLANDS
GUINEA PIGS
INGESTION
INTAKE
KIDNEYS
LIVER
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MERCURY
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METALS
METHYLMERCURY
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RODENTS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
URINE
VERTEBRATES
WASTES