title: Protective role of thiol chelators against dimethylmercury induced toxicity in male rats.
abstract: The present study was undertaken to establish mode of action, comparative therapeutic efficacy and safety evaluation of N-acetyl cysteine and dithiothreitol against acute dimethylmercury poisoning in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley albino rats (150 +/- 10 g) were randomly divided into six groups. Group 1 served as control. Group 2-4 were administered dimethylmercury (10 mg/kg, p.o.) once only and group 2 served as experimental control. Animals of group 3 and 4 were received N-acetyl cysteine and dithiothreitol. Compared to the control, significant increase (p < or = 0.05) was observed in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid peroxidation level and mercury ion concentration, however reduced glutathione, catalase, adenosine triphosphatase, acetyl cholinesterase (in brain only) were also decreased. It was concluded that N-acetyl cysteine provided maximum protection when compared with dithiothreitol group.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, UNESCO Setellite center of Trace Element Research & School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. deepmalajoshi953@gmail.com
authors.forename: Deepmala
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: Deepak Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.forename: Sadhana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shrivastava
authors.forename: Sangeeta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shukla
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004229:Dithiothreitol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D020262:Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D004798:Enzymes; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; C073972:dimethyl mercury; D004229:Dithiothreitol; D000111:Acetylcysteine