[The protective effects of zinc metallothionein against erythrocyte membrane damage induced by methylmercury].
The influences of zinc metallothionein(ZnMT) induced by Zn on mice erythrocyte membrane configuration, membrane sulfhydryl content, membrane fluidity, membrane permeability and so on after methylmercury (MeHg) treatment were studied, the protection of ZnMT against the membrane damage of MeHg was studied. The results showed that Zn could induce the production of ZnMT in the liver of mice. With the increase of Zn content, the level of ZnMT increased and had dose-effect relationship between them (r = 0.996). ZnMT could protect membrane configuration and -SH and prevent the damage of MeHg on the membrane fluidity and permeability. The results also showed that the dose of Zn administered to mice should be appropriate. High doses of Zn could cause damages.
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
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Xu
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Wang
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Qiu
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Wang
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology
D000975:Antioxidants; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; C021267:zinc thionein; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D008668:Metallothionein; D015032:Zinc