Effects on and transfer across the blood-brain barrier in vitro—Comparison of organic and inorganic mercury species

Lohren, Hanna; Bornhorst, Julia; Fitkau, Romy; Pohl, Gabriele; Galla, Hans‐Joachim; Schwerdtle, Tanja

doi:10.1186/s40360-016-0106-5

Cited by 52 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…S1 ), suggesting that Hg formed an inert compound most probably as a result of MeHg degradation. Moreover, we found significant concentrations of inorganic Hg in the brain tissue ( Supplementary Table S1 ), possibly an intermediate product of demethylation reactions, as inorganic Hg cannot cross the blood-brain barrier 21 22 23 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

In vivo formation of natural HgSe nanoparticles in the liver and brain of pilot whales

Gajdosechova

Lawan

Urgast

et al. 2016

Sci Rep

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To understand the biochemistry of methylmercury (MeHg) that leads to the formation of mercury-selenium (Hg-Se) clusters is a long outstanding challenge that promises to deepen our knowledge of MeHg detoxification and the role Se plays in this process. Here, we show that mercury selenide (HgSe) nanoparticles in the liver and brain of long-finned pilot whales are attached to Se-rich structures and possibly act as a nucleation point for the formation of large Se-Hg clusters, which can grow with age to over 5 μm in size. The detoxification mechanism is fully developed from the early age of the animals, with particulate Hg found already in juvenile tissues. As a consequence of MeHg detoxification, Se-methionine, the selenium pool in the system is depleted in the efforts to maintain essential levels of Se-cysteine. This study provides evidence of so far unreported depletion of the bioavailable Se pool, a plausible driving mechanism of demonstrated neurotoxic effects of MeHg in the organism affected by its high dietary intake.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

In vivo formation of natural HgSe nanoparticles in the liver and brain of pilot whales

Gajdosechova

Lawan

Urgast

et al. 2016

Sci Rep

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“…There is a decrease in the efficiency of delivering active substances to the cell. This leads to its damage and death [ 16 – 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Content of Mercury in Herbal Dietary Supplements

Brodziak-Dopierała

Fischer

Szczelina

et al. 2018

Biol Trace Elem Res

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The dietary supplement market in Poland has been growing rapidly, and the number of registered products and their consumption increases steadily. Among the most popular and the easiest to get are herbal supplements, available in any supermarket. The aim of this paper was to investigate the mercury content in the herbal supplements. The dietary supplements that have been examined (24) are available on the Polish market and contain one or more herbal ingredients. Supplements were pulverized in porcelain mortar and identified by AMA 254 atomic absorption spectrometer. The range of variations for all tested supplements was within 0.02–4293.07 μg/kg. The arithmetic mean of the total result was 193.77 μg/kg. A higher mercury content then this mean was found in preparations—bamboo shoots and alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa. The studies have shown that mercury is present in every examined herbal supplement, and its content exceeds in two preparations (with bamboo and alga) the permissible limit of 0.10 mg/kg. There were statistically significant differences in the occurrence of mercury depending on the herbal ingredient in the supplement. The lowest content was found in the preparation with Tanacetum parthenium and the highest with bamboo shoots. The mercury content in the tested herbal supplements was statistically significant in the form of a supplement—a tablet and a capsule. Daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly consumption of mercury with examined supplements was calculated—the results did not exceed the PTWI—provisional tolerable weekly intake of mercury. To increase consumer safety, it is imperative to conduct further research on dietary supplements and implement a stricter quality control of the dietary supplements.

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“…The brain represents the major target organ of organic mercury species exposure [ 48 ]. In the current study, the use of inorganic mercury, HgCl 2 , has shown a weak blood brain barrier which resulted in mild toxic effects on the brain architecture confirming that the organic mercury shows more toxic effects due to its ability to overcome the blood brain barrier [ 49 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Consolidating probiotic with dandelion, coriander and date palm seeds extracts against mercury neurotoxicity and for maintaining normal testosterone levels in male rats

et al. 2018

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ObjectiveHeavy metals are major elements polluting our universe. The inhalation, ingestion or even contacting human body with these elements results in huge health problems. The most common pollutant in our surrounding is mercury. Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidating the protective ability of hot water extracts of dandelion (DA), coriander (CO), date palm seeds (DS), probiotic supernatant (PS) and their combined mixture against mercury-induced neurotoxicity and altered testosterone levels in male rats.MethodsFifty six male rats were randomly allotted into seven groups (n = 8 rats/group). Group1 (negative control; NC) animals were fed on the basal diet only, group2 (positive controls; PC) animals were fed on the basal diet and given an aqueous solution of mercuric chloride (25 ppm mercuric) in drinking water. Animals of the antioxidant-treated groups (3–7) were fed on the basal diet and given an aqueous solution of mercuric chloride (25 ppm mercuric) in drinking water together with the herbal antioxidant extracts and probiotics (25 ml/rat/day) throughout the experimental period. Where, group3 (Hg/CO) given coriander extract, group4 (Hg/DA) given dandelion extract, group5 (Hg/DS) given date palm seeds extract, group6 (Hg/PS) given probiotic supernatant, and group7 (Hg/Mix) given mixture of equal quantities of probiotic supernatant together with the three herbal extracts. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected. Blood testosterone, enzyme activity and histopathological sections were performed.ResultsThe obtained data exhibited that mercury intoxication revealed increases of lactic dehydrogenase and decreases of glutathione-s-transferase and testosterone. Light microscopic investigations of the brain cortex and cerebellum were suggestive of multiple foci of inflammation, cellular infiltration, gliosis and degeneration. Moreover, decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactivity and potential astrocyte toxicity both reflected impaired neuro-protective function of astrocytes necessary for maintaining the brain structure and function.ConclusionAdministration of the herbal extracts and their mixture with probiotics enhance the body defense and contain protective factor against mercury neurotoxicity and for maintaining normal testosterone levels in male rats. Also, treatment restored the normal control levels of biochemical attributes and histological architecture.

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Effects on and transfer across the blood-brain barrier in vitro—Comparison of organic and inorganic mercury species

Cited by 52 publications

References 31 publications

In vivo formation of natural HgSe nanoparticles in the liver and brain of pilot whales

In vivo formation of natural HgSe nanoparticles in the liver and brain of pilot whales

The Content of Mercury in Herbal Dietary Supplements

Consolidating probiotic with dandelion, coriander and date palm seeds extracts against mercury neurotoxicity and for maintaining normal testosterone levels in male rats

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