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Co-administration of Selenium with Inorganic Mercury Alters the Disposition of Mercuric Ions in Rats

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Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a common environmental toxicant to which humans are exposed regularly through occupational and dietary means. Although selenium supplementation has been reported to prevent the toxic effects of Hg in animals, the mechanisms for this prevention are not well understood. The purpose of the current study was to determine the effects of selenium on the disposition and toxicity of Hg. Wistar rats were injected intravenously with a non-nephrotoxic dose (0.5 μmol kg−1) or a nephrotoxic dose (2.5 μmol kg−1) of HgCl2 (containing radioactive Hg) with or without co-administration of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3). Twenty-four hours after exposure, rats were euthanized, and organs were harvested. Co-administration of SeO32− with HgCl2 reduced the renal burden of Hg and the urinary excretion of Hg while increasing the amount of Hg in blood and spleen. We propose that Hg reacts with reduced selenite in the blood to form large Hg–Se complexes that are unable to be filtered at the glomerulus. Consequently, these complexes remain in the blood and are able to accumulate in blood-rich organs. These complexes, which may have fewer toxic effects than other species of Hg, may be eliminated slowly over the course of weeks to months.

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Funding

The current study was funded by a grant from the Navicent Health Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, 1501 Mercer University Dr, Macon, GA, 31207, USA

    Sarah E. Orr, Hannah S. George, Mary C. Barnes, Taylor N. Mathis, Lucy Joshee & Christy C. Bridges

  2. Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA

    Jennifer Barkin

  3. Department of Chemistry, Mercer University, Macon, GA, USA

    Adam M. Kiefer & Caryn S. Seney

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  1. Sarah E. Orr
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  2. Hannah S. George
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  9. Christy C. Bridges
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Correspondence to Christy C. Bridges.

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Orr, S.E., George, H.S., Barnes, M.C. et al. Co-administration of Selenium with Inorganic Mercury Alters the Disposition of Mercuric Ions in Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 195, 187–195 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-01835-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-01835-y

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