Lung and blood superoxide dismutase activity in mercury vapor exposed rats: effect of N-acetylcysteine treatment.
Rats were exposed to mercury vapors (30 mg/m3) for either 1 or 2 h. Histological lesions like alveolar oedema, hyaline membranes and sometimes fibrosis were observed. The lesions were more significant after 2 h of exposure, with about 50% of the animals dying within 2 weeks. The mercury level and the superoxide dismutase activity in the blood and the lungs demonstrated differences according to the time of exposure. In the animals exposed for 2 h to mercury vapors, N-acetylcysteine treatment increased survival time and the percentage of living animals. The lung superoxide dismutase was lower than in the non-treated animals indicating an antioxidant effect. Mercury levels were decreased in blood and lung, suggesting some chelating effect of N-acetylcysteine. The exact mechanism of its action must be further elucidated.
Livardjani
F
F
Centre anti-poisons Hospices Civils de Strasbourg, France.
Ledig
M
M
Kopp
P
P
Dahlet
M
M
Leroy
M
M
Jaeger
A
A
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D008628:Mercury; D000111:Acetylcysteine