Effects of carbon monoxide exposure on the distribution of methylmercury in mice

Effects of long-term exposure to sublethal concentration (300-350 ppm) of carbon monoxide (CO) on the distribution of methylmercury (MeHg) in the blood and organs of mice were examined using 6th week-old ICR mice of both sexes. Firstly, female mice were exposed to CO immediately after single ip injection of CH3HgCl (1 mg/kg). At the earliest stage, brain mercury level was higher in CO mice than in control mice, while blood mercury level was lower in CO mice than in control mice. There were indications that compensatory hemoconcentration and resultant increase of mercury levels in the blood, brain and liver occurred in CO mice by the 8th day of CO exposure. Mercury in the blood, brain, liver and kidney decreased more rapidly in CO mice than in control mice for a short period after hemoconcentration had occurred. Secondly, male mice were pre-exposed to CO for 7 days, received single ip injection of CH3HgCl (1 mg/kg) and were re-exposed to CO for an additional 21 days. Hemoconcentration, increased mercury levels in the blood, brain and liver were observed in CO mice. Thirdly, male mice were pre-exposed to CO for 7 days, administered po with CH3HgCl (2 mg/kg) and re-exposed to CO for 24 hr. Mercury levels in the blood, brain and liver but not the kidneys were higher in CO mice than in control mice. The relationships between hemoconcentration and MeHg distribution in vertebrates were discussed.