Accumulation of mercury and its effect on antioxidant enzymes in brain, liver, and kidneys of mice.

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Hussain S, Atkinson A, Thompson SJ, Khan AT

Accumulation of mercury and its effect on antioxidant enzymes in brain, liver, and kidneys of mice.

J Environ Sci Health B. 1999 Jul;34(4):645-60. doi: 10.1080/03601239909373219.

PubMed ID

10390852 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

The effect of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) on the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and its effect on glutathione (GSH) content were evaluated in different organs (liver, kidneys, and brain) of mice after administration at 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg/day for 14 days. The uptake of mercury shows that the kidneys accumulated the highest levels of mercury compare to brain and liver. The enzyme levels varied in mercury treated organs compare to control. A dose dependent increase of antioxidant enzymes occurred in the liver and kidneys. The increase in enzyme activities correlated with highest mercury accumulation in the kidneys and liver. Mercury is known to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo and in vitro, therefore, it is likely that enzyme activities increased to scavenge ROS levels produced as a result of mercury accumulation. Glutathione content increased in liver and kidneys of mercury treated mice compare to control. The results showed that the highest oral dose of mercury significantly increased antioxidant enzymes in kidneys and liver. The increased antioxidant enzymes enhance the antioxidant potential of the organs to reduce oxidative stress.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs

Thimerosal

Drug Enzymes

Drug	Enzyme	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Thimerosal	Glutathione peroxidase 1	Protein	Humans	Unknown	Ligand	Details
Thimerosal	Glutathione reductase, mitochondrial	Protein	Humans	Unknown	Inducer	Details