Effects of mercury on cytochrome P‐450 levels in mouse hepatic microsomes

Abstract

Equivalent doses (6.02 μg Hg²⁺/g body wt) of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) and mercuric sulfide (HgS) were administered orally to mice, after which the levels of cytochrome P‐450 in hepatic microsomes were analyzed. Both HgCl₂ and HgS caused an initial significant depression in the levels of cytochrome P‐450 relative to the controls, but only the HgCl₂‐treated mice exhibited sustained depression. Hepatic microsomal protein content was likewise significantly lower for a sustained period in the HgCl₂‐treated mice but was lower only initially in the HgS‐treated mice. These results suggest that the difference between the effects of HgS and HgCl₂ are attributable to the different solubilities of the two compounds. The solubilities of HgS and HgCl₂ indirectly govern their effects on cytochrome P‐450 levels by affecting the extent to which Hg²⁺ accumulates in the liver.

Notes

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