Ultrastructural changes in renal proximal tubules after chronic organic and inorganic mercury intoxication

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(75)90078-X· OSTI ID:7352645

Ware, R A; Burkholder, P M; Chang, L W

Adult male rats were intoxicated daily with CH/sub 3/HgCl and HgCl/sub 2/ (1.0 mg/kg BW). Kidneys were sampled for electron microscopic and histochemical evaluation as well as neutron activation analysis between 1 day and 6 weeks of the experimental period. Ultrastructural changes were confined primarily to the pars recta segment of proximal tubules. HgCl/sub 2/ induced epithelial changes, observed at 5 days, consisted of apical vacuolation, mitochondrial swelling with dilation of cristae and calcinosis. Marked increase in lysosomal profiles, formation of membranous cytosomes and isolated cellular necrosis were observed afer 14-21 days of CH/sub 3/HgCl intoxication. Electron microscopic histochemical studies demonstrated mercury within mitochondria, lysosomes, microbodies, cytomembranous profiles and on cellular membrane structures. Neutron activation analysis demonstrated highest kidney total mercury levels after 5 days (HgCL/sub 2/) and 6 weeks (CH/sub 3/HgCl) intoxication.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison
• OSTI ID: 7352645
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 10:1; ISSN ENVRA
• 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.
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGY
BODY
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COMPLEXES
CYTOLOGY
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
HISTOLOGY
KIDNEYS
LYSOSOMES
MAMMALS
MEMBRANES
MERCURY
MERCURY COMPLEXES
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METALS
METHYLMERCURY
MICROSCOPY
MICROSOMES
MITOCHONDRIA
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANOIDS
ORGANOMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RATS
RODENTS
TISSUES
TOXICITY
TUBULES
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
VERTEBRATES