Toxicity of chelated mercury

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Pharmacology
• Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

• Mercury poisoning requires effective chelation therapy.
• Understanding mercury chelate toxicity is crucial for therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between mercury chelate toxicity and stability.
• To evaluate oral and intravenous acute toxicities in mice.

Main Methods:

• Determined acute oral and intravenous toxicities of various mercury chelates in mice.
• Analyzed toxicity data in relation to mercury chelate stability constants.

Main Results:

• Mercury chelate toxicity, on a molar basis, was independent of stability constants (down to 10^23).
• Sulfhydryl-containing chelates showed unexpectedly low oral toxicity, attributed to poor gastrointestinal absorption.
• Body distribution of the chelate significantly influences toxicity.

Conclusions:

• Mercury chelate toxicity is largely independent of stability constant if distribution is unaffected.
• Chelating agent absorption significantly impacts oral toxicity.
• Findings guide the selection of chelating agents for mercury therapy.