Decreased uptake of GABA by dorsal ganglia in methylmercury-treated rats.
The uptake of 14C-GABA and 14C-choline by cerebral cortex slices did not show any change in rats which showed neurological signs 7 days after the last 7 methylmercury injections (10 mg/kg/day). However, 14C-GABA uptake by dorsal ganglia greatly decreased, although 14C-choline uptake did not decrease in dorsal ganglia. 14C-GABA uptake by cerebellum also was somewhat decreased. The degree of inhibition of 14C-GABA uptake by dorsal ganglia increased each day after the commencement of methylmercury injection. The decrease of 3H-GABA uptake by dorsal ganglia of methylmercury-injected rats was confirmed by autoradiography. Autoradiographic and inhibitor studies showed labelled GABA accumulated in the satellite glial cells. In vitro addition of methylmercury (10(-4)-10(-5) M) equally inhibited the uptake of GABA and choline by brain and dorsal ganglia slices. These studies may reveal a possible mechanism of methylmercury neuropathy.
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D002794:Choline