A reaction product from mercuric mercury, selenite and reduced glutathione

Reaction of mercuric mercury and selenite in the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH) was studied. A black complex containing GSH and equimolar amounts of mercury and selenium was obtained by the reaction of sodium selenite and mercuric chloride in the presence of excess amounts of GSH. This complex was soluble in water, but insoluble in ethanol. Toxicity of the complex was very low in comparison with mercuric chloride or sodium selenite. Formation of such complex of lower toxicity in animals as described above may play an important role in the modification of toxicity of mercuric mercury by selenite.