bis(methylmercuric)selenide and methylmercuric-chloride

The neurologically toxic substance, methylmercury, is detoxified by simultaneous application of selenite. In vivo formation of bis (methylmercuric) selenide has been suggested as the mechanism of detoxication by selenite. By using isolated guinea-pig taenia coli preparations, the effects of methylmercuric chloride and bis (methylmercuric) selenide on contractile responses to nerve and direct stimulation were investigated. Application of either drugs scarcely affected contractile responses to direct stimulation. However, contractile responses to nerve stimulation were severely reduced by methylmercuric chloride. The effect of bis (methylmercuric) selenide was considerably weaker than methylmercuric chloride. The site blocked by methylmercuric chloride and bis (methylmercuric) selenide in the taenia preparation was discussed.

Topics: Animals; Cecum; Depression, Chemical; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Guinea Pigs; Male; Methylmercury Compounds; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth; Neural Conduction; Neurotransmitter Agents; Receptors, Neurotransmitter

In vitro effects of mercury-selenium (Hg-Se) compounds, as compared with their original mercury compounds, against growth and viability of HeLa cells were studied. A water-soluble, ethanol-insoluble black complex (GX) formed from HgCl2, Na2SeO3 and GSH was less toxic than HgCl2, but the cytotoxicity of bis(methylmercuric) selenide (BMS) seemed to be similar to that of methylmercury. This may be due to the instability of BMS; i.e., there is a possibility that BMS decomposed to methylmercury and selenium under our culture conditions.

Topics: Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; HeLa Cells; Humans; Mercuric Chloride; Mercury; Methylmercury Compounds

The distribution of mercury in the brain of mice after i.v. administration of methylmercury, methylmercury with selenite, or bis(methylmercuric) selenide (BMS) was examined by whole-body autoradiography using 203Hg-labelled mercury compounds. The radioactivity in the brain of the mice that received methylmercury and selenite simultaneously, or BMS, was higher than that of the mice that received methylmercury alone, but the differences were not significant.

Topics: Animals; Autoradiography; Brain; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Mercury; Methylmercury Compounds; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Selenious Acid; Selenium