title: A cell aggregation model for the protective effect of selenium and vitamin E on methylmercury toxicity.
abstract: Histotypic aggregation of embryonic neural retinal cells was chosen as a test model to evaluate mercury toxicity. After 24 h rotational culture with methylmercury (CH3HgCl) at 4 microM, aggregation was completely inhibited. A dose-response relationship between concentrations of methylmercury and final sizes of aggregates was found. Selenium (Na2SeO3) at concentrations of 1, 3 and 5 microM provided a protective effect for methylmercury (1 microM) toxicity. Vitamin E (DL-alpha-Tocopherol acetate) at concentrations 5, 7 and 10 microM also provided protection against the same concentration of methylmercury; however, it was less effective than selenium. Histotypic embryonal retinal cell aggregation may be a useful assay system for in vitro neurotoxic studies in morphogenesis.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002449:Cell Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology; D012643:Selenium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium