Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026

A Study of the Complexation of MercuryII with Dicysteinyl Tetrapeptides by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Published on: January 8, 2016
Selenium as an antidote in the treatment of mercury intoxication
1Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (CONEM), Toften 24, 8610, Mo i Rana, Norway, bjorklund@conem.org.
Abstract:
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans. It is found in the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. This enzyme protects the organism against certain types of damage. Some data suggest that Se plays a role in the body's metabolism of mercury (Hg). Selenium has in some studies been found to reduce the toxicity of Hg salts. Selenium and Hg bind in the body to each other. It is not totally clear what impact the amount of Se has in the human body on the metabolism and toxicity of prolonged Hg exposure.
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