Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
17:28
Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation
Published on: June 17, 2015
Fluctuation of trace elements during methylmercury toxication and chelation therapy
C Bapu1, R C Purohit, P P Sood
1Department of Biosciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, India.
Human & Experimental Toxicology
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Methylmercury chloride (MMC) exposure altered essential element levels in mice tissues. While chelation therapy with monothiols and vitamins partially restored levels, concentrations often remained abnormal, suggesting complex interactions.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Environmental Health
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Methylmercury chloride (MMC) is a potent neurotoxin.
- MMC exposure can disrupt essential element homeostasis in vital organs.
- Understanding these disruptions is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of methylmercury chloride (MMC) intoxication on essential elements (Na, K, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni) in mouse brain, spinal cord, liver, and kidney.
- To evaluate the efficacy of monothiols (N-acetyl-DL-homocysteine thiolactone, glutathione) and vitamin (B complex, E) therapy in restoring elemental balance.
- To assess mercury deposition and elimination during chelation therapy.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to methylmercury chloride (MMC) for 7 days.
- Treatment groups received either no further treatment, or antidotes (monothiols and vitamins) for 7 days.
- Elemental analysis of brain, spinal cord, liver, and kidney was performed on day 15.
Main Results:
- MMC intoxication generally decreased essential element concentrations, with exceptions like increased copper in the liver and sodium in the kidney.
- Chelation therapy with monothiols and vitamins partially normalized element levels in some tissues.
- Despite treatment, elemental concentrations remained abnormal in most cases, indicating incomplete restoration.
Conclusions:
- Methylmercury chloride (MMC) significantly disrupts essential element homeostasis across multiple organs.
- Monothiol and vitamin therapies offer partial restoration of elemental balance but are not fully effective.
- Observed elemental fluctuations are likely linked to interactions with macromolecules within tissues.
Related Concept Videos
00:57The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
Elements are the smallest units of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical processes. There are 118 known elements, but not all of these are naturally-occurring, and fewer still are essential for life. Living matter is composed primarily of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, with smaller amounts of other elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Other elements are also necessary for life but only in trace amounts.The Periodic Table Provides Information about...
01:27The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
Elements are the smallest units of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical processes. There are 118 known elements, but not all of these are naturally occurring, and only a few of them are essential for life. Living matter is composed primarily of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, with smaller amounts of other elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Other elements are also necessary for life but only in trace amounts.
Periodic Table Provides Information...
Periodic Table Provides Information...
01:19Masking and Demasking Agents
EDTA titrations may necessitate masking and demasking agents to temporarily protect a particular metal ion in a mixture from the EDTA reaction. These agents facilitate the sequential analysis of the metal ions by forming stable complexes with some—but not all—metal ions during certain steps.
There are many masking agents, such as cyanide, fluoride, triethanolamine, thiourea, and 2,3-bis(sulfanyl)propan-1-ol (formerly 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol), with the masking agent chosen based on the metal...
There are many masking agents, such as cyanide, fluoride, triethanolamine, thiourea, and 2,3-bis(sulfanyl)propan-1-ol (formerly 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol), with the masking agent chosen based on the metal...
00:56Extraction: Advanced Methods
Metal ions can be separated from one another by complexation with organic ligands–the chelating agent– to form uncharged chelates. Here, the chelating agent must contain hydrophobic groups and behave as a weak acid, losing a proton to bind with the metal. Since most organic ligands used in this process are insoluble or undergo oxidation in the aqueous phase, the chelating agent is initially added to the organic phase and extracted into the aqueous phase. The metal-ligand complex is formed in...
01:22Phase II Reactions: Glutathione Conjugation and Mercapturic Acid Formation
Glutathione, a tripeptide made up of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine, is a critical player in the detoxification of drugs and xenobiotics via a process known as glutathione conjugation or mercapturic acid formation. This phase II biotransformation reaction involves the covalent binding of glutathione to a drug or its metabolite, enhancing the compound's water solubility and enabling its excretion.
Several distinctive characteristics distinguish glutathione conjugation from other phase II...
Several distinctive characteristics distinguish glutathione conjugation from other phase II...
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...