Co-administration of a Rhododendron tomentosum extract does not affect mercury tissue concentrations and excretion rate in methylmercury-treated adult male rats

Abstract

Objectives Consumption of fish/seafood is clearly linked to higher mercury levels in human tissue samples. However, correlations between methylmercury (MeHg) intakes calculated from dietary surveys and mercury body burdens are usually weak and can vary across populations. Different factors may affect MeHg absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, including co-exposures to phytochemicals and antibiotics, which were shown to affect mercury body burdens in rodents. Based on the observation that rat pups developmentally exposed to MeHg and a Rhododendron tomentosum extract (Labrador Tea) presented significantly higher blood mercury levels at weaning compared to pups exposed to MeHg alone, the modulation of MeHg toxicokinetics by Labrador Tea was further investigated in adult rats. Results Total mercury levels were quantified in the blood, liver, kidney and feces of adult male rats exposed to MeHg (1.2 mg/kg bodyweight/day, for 3 weeks) administered either alone or in combination with Labrador Tea (100 mg/kg bodyweight/day) or with an antibiotics cocktail (to inhibit MeHg demethylation by gut bacteria). While the reduced fecal excretion and higher blood mercury levels expected from antibiotics-treated rats were observed, mercury levels in samples from Labrador Tea-treated rats were not significantly different from those measured in samples from rats exposed to MeHg alone. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4409-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Comparative pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of arsenic and mercury after oral administration of realgar, cinnabar and AnGongNiuHuang Pill to rats

“…The blood levels of mercury above 100 ng/ml were diagnosed with poisoning ( Kamensky et al, 2019 ). After 28 days of exposure to methylmercury, the blood mercury concentration was 76.4 μg/ml, without apparent toxicity observed in rats ( Pelletier et al, 2019 ). Although AGNHP significantly increased blood mercury exposure, it was proved safe by the limited blood mercury exposure at clinical doses.…”

Mercury Toxicity in Public Health

“…Fish is the major source of mercury; consuming such mercury stored in fish leads to exposure of human tissues to high mercury levels. Pelletier et al [55] examined by checking mercury levels in rodents as they are exposed frequently with Rhododendron tomentosum extract and their blood is with higher mercury levels. Williams et al [56] reported flurbiprofen (anti-inflammatory drug) is the cause of bone resorption disease.…”