Role of micronutrients against dimethylmercury intoxication in male rats

Mercury is one of the most toxic non-radioactive heavy metals. Chelation therapy has been the basis for the medical treatment of mercury poisoning. Male albino rats were administered dimethylmercury (1.5 mg/kg) orally for 21 days. Chelation therapy with N-acetyl cysteine along with combination of antioxidants viz. zinc and selenium was given for 5 days after 24 h of toxicant administration. All animals were sacrificed after 48 h of last treatment and various blood biochemical parameters were performed. Toxicant caused rise in bilirubin, γ-GT, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, the uric acid content with a decline in albumin. A significant elevation was observed in LPO content and mercury concentration, along with concomitant decline in GSH levels after toxicant administration in liver, kidney and brain. Noticeable fall was also observed in AChE enzyme. Histopathological analysis was consistent with the biochemical observations and led to conclude that combination therapy provided protection against mercury toxicity.