STUDY OF THE CHANGES IN SERUM LIPIDS FOLLOWING MERCURY INTOXIFICATION
Abstract
Background. The toxicity of mercury which is used as mercury chloride in different parts of living world has been reported in literature. In our knowledge, however, these reports are on the effects of mercury on serum blood parameters.
As lipids have important role in cell metabolism, we decided to study the effects of mercury on blood parameters which are related to lipid metabolism as well as its effect on hepatocyte triglycerides.
Methods. Each group of 5 rats were treated with daily IP injections of either 10 mg/kg (Body Weight) for 5 and 10 days or 5 mg/kg B.W. for 30 and 60 days, before determination of serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and lipoprotein fractions.
Results. The results obtained are as follows. Daily intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg B.W of mercury for 5 and 10 days elevated serum triglycerides by (10.9, 19.3) LDLc (16.5, 22.5) VLDLc (10.9, ,19.3) and hepatocytes containing triglycerides (105.1, 136.3) percent respectively. HDLc was decreased by (13.4, 17.3) percent. Daily intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg body weight of mercury for 30 and 60 days elevated serum triglycerides by (34.7, 47.4). LDLc (28.9, 33.3), VLDLc (34.7, 47.4) and hepatocytes containing triglycerides (177.3, 213.4) percent respectively. HDLc was lowered by (22.9, 27.7) percent.
Discussion. The results showed that mercury could affect lipid metabloism in a dose and time dependent manner. This effect might be considered as a possilbe cause of hyperlipidemia in those who are intoxified with this element.
As lipids have important role in cell metabolism, we decided to study the effects of mercury on blood parameters which are related to lipid metabolism as well as its effect on hepatocyte triglycerides.
Methods. Each group of 5 rats were treated with daily IP injections of either 10 mg/kg (Body Weight) for 5 and 10 days or 5 mg/kg B.W. for 30 and 60 days, before determination of serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and lipoprotein fractions.
Results. The results obtained are as follows. Daily intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg B.W of mercury for 5 and 10 days elevated serum triglycerides by (10.9, 19.3) LDLc (16.5, 22.5) VLDLc (10.9, ,19.3) and hepatocytes containing triglycerides (105.1, 136.3) percent respectively. HDLc was decreased by (13.4, 17.3) percent. Daily intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg body weight of mercury for 30 and 60 days elevated serum triglycerides by (34.7, 47.4). LDLc (28.9, 33.3), VLDLc (34.7, 47.4) and hepatocytes containing triglycerides (177.3, 213.4) percent respectively. HDLc was lowered by (22.9, 27.7) percent.
Discussion. The results showed that mercury could affect lipid metabloism in a dose and time dependent manner. This effect might be considered as a possilbe cause of hyperlipidemia in those who are intoxified with this element.
Keywords
Mercury, Triglyceride, Cholesterol, Lipoprotein