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Effects of ascorbic acid deficiency on methyl mercury dicyandiamide toxicosis in guinea pigs
Abstract:
Methylmercury dicyandiamide (MMD) when given intraperitoneally at a dosage of 4 mg/kg of body weight at weekly intervals for 3 weeks resulted in death of guinea pigs fed an ascorbic acid deficient diet. Controls fed an ascorbic acid deficient diet survived during this period as did guinea pigs given MMD and fed an ascorbic acid adequate diet. In a second experiment, guinea pigs fed an ascorbic acid deficient diet containing 22 ppm of MMD died within 26 days and had severe hemorrhagic and ulcerative gastroenteritis and coagulative necrosis of the liver. Ascorbic acid deficient controls died at 34 days. The MMD-containing ascorbic acid adequate diet killed guinea pigs in 150 days. Guinea pigs fed an ascorbic acid deficient diet with 44 ppm of MMD died within 20 days with acute neurologic signs. Pathologic changes were mostly in the gray matter. Guinea pigs fed MMD and a diet with adequate ascorbic acid survived for 38 days whereas the ascorbic acid deficient controls survived for 47 days. Results indicate that ascorbic acid deficiency can be a factor in the location and severity of clinical signs and lesions of MMD.
Insights
Methylmercury dicyandiamide (MMD) toxicity is exacerbated by ascorbic acid deficiency in guinea pigs. This deficiency leads to more severe clinical signs and pathological lesions, highlighting its critical role in MMD
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Nutritional Science
- Pathology
Background:
- Methylmercury dicyandiamide (MMD) is a toxic compound.
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is essential for various physiological processes.
- The interaction between MMD toxicity and ascorbic acid status is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of ascorbic acid deficiency on the toxicity of Methylmercury dicyandiamide (MMD) in guinea pigs.
- To determine if ascorbic acid deficiency influences the clinical signs and pathological lesions induced by MMD.
Main Methods:
- Guinea pigs were fed diets deficient or adequate in ascorbic acid.
- Animals were administered varying doses of Methylmercury dicyandiamide (MMD) intraperitoneally or orally.
- Clinical signs, survival times, and pathological changes (gastroenteritis, liver necrosis, neurological signs) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Ascorbic acid deficiency significantly reduced survival time in guinea pigs exposed to MMD.
- MMD-induced hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, liver necrosis, and neurological signs were more severe in ascorbic acid-deficient animals.
- Ascorbic acid deficiency altered the distribution and severity of MMD-related pathological lesions.
Conclusions:
- Ascorbic acid deficiency is a critical factor modulating the toxicity of Methylmercury dicyandiamide (MMD).
- Vitamin C status influences the manifestation and severity of MMD-induced pathology, including gastrointestinal, hepatic, and neurological damage.
- These findings underscore the importance of adequate ascorbic acid intake in mitigating mercury compound toxicity.