On the effects of ambilhar on mobilisation and biliary excretion of mercury

The effect of administration of ambilhar to rats poisoned with mercury for two weeks were investigated. The results showed that administration of ambilhar to rats dosed with mercuric chloride, resulted in a significant increase in the faecal excretion of mercury. At the same time a significant decrease in the urinary output of the metal was found. Chelation of ambilhar with mercury to form a polar complex with a higher molecular weight could explain its biliary rather than its urinary excretion. The spectral studies of ambilhar and its two mercury complexes prepared in vitro support the possibility that stimulation of mercury excretion in bile results from the complexation of mercury by ambilhar in vivo.