Summary
A histochemical method modified for ultrastructural studies of mercury induced changes is described. Rat neurons from areas known to be influenced by mercury are used as examples. The histochemical reaction, suggested to be caused by polymercury sulphide complexes, is localized to “dense bodies” where it is visible 14 days after initiation of peroral mercury treatment (20 mg HgCl2/l drinking water).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cafruny, E.J., Farah, A., Di Stefano, H.S.: Effects of the mercurial diuretic mersalyl on protein-bound sulfhydryl groups in the cytoplasm of rat kidney cells. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 115, 390–401 (1955)
Cember, H., Gallagher, P., Faulkner, A.: Distribution of mercury among blood fractions and serum proteins. Amer. industr. Hyg. Ass. J. 29, 233–237 (1968)
Clarkson, T.W.: The pharmacology of mercury compounds. Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. 12, 375–406 (1972)
Danscher, G., Zimmer, J.: An improved Timm sulphide silver method for light and electron microscopic localization of heavy metals in biological tissues. Histochemistry 55, 27–40 (1978)
Dreser, H.: Zur Pharmakologie des Quecksilbers. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. exp. Pathol. Pharmakol. 32, 456–466 (1893)
Jacobs, J.M., Carmichael, N., Cavanagh, J.B.: Ultrastructural changes in the dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia of rats poisoned with methyl mercury. Neuropathol. appl. Neurobiol. 1, 1–19 (1975a)
Jacobs, J.M., Cavanagh, J.B., Carmichael, N.: The effect of chronic dosing with mercuric cloride on dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia of rats. Neuropathol. appl. Neurobiol. 3, 321–337 (1975b)
Jacobs, J.M., Carmichael, N., Cavanagh, J.B.: Ultrastructural changes in the nervous system of rabbits poisoned with methyl mercury. Toxicol. appl. Pharmacol. 39, 249–261 (1977)
Jakubowski, M., Piotrowski, J., Trojanowska, B.: Binding of mercury in the rat: Studies using 203HgCl2 and gel filtration. Toxicol. appl. Pharmacol. 16, 743–753 (1970)
Kraft, M.: Der Verbleib des Quecksilbersulfids in Organismus. Inaug.-Diss. Göttingen 1965.
Madsen, K.M., Hansen, J.C., Maunsbach, A.B.: Demonstration of mercury and iron in kidney lysosomes. In: Proceedings of the 9. Congress of The Nordic Society of Cell Biology F. Bierring (ed.), pp. 129–136, Odense, Denmark: Odense University Press 1976
Madsen, K., Christensen, E.I.: Effects of mercury on lysosomal protein digestion in the kidney proximal tubule. Lab. Invest. 38, 165–174 (1978)
Norseth, T.: The intracellular distribution of mercury in rat liver after methoxyethylmercury intoxication. Biochem. Pharmacol. 16, 1645–1654 (1967)
Norseth, T.: The intracellular distribution of mercury in rat liver after a single injection of mercuric chloride. Biochem. Pharmacol. 17, 581–593 (1968)
Sternlieb, I., Goldfischer, S.: Heavy metals and lysosomes. In: Lysosomes and Biology and Pathology. J.T. Dingle and R.T. Dean (eds.), vol. 5, pp. 185–200. Amsterdam: North-Holland 1976
Timm, F.: Der histochemische Nachweis der Sublimatvergiftung. Beitr gerichtl. Med. 21, 195–197 (1962)
Timm, F., Naundorf, Ch., Kraft, M.: Zur Histochemie und Genese der chronischen Quecksilbervergiftung. Arch. Gewerbepathol. Gewerbehyg. 22, 236–245 (1966)
Webb, J.L.: Mercurials. In: Enzyme and Metabolic Inhibitiors, J.L. Webb (ed.), vol. 2, pp. 729–985. New York: Academic Press 1966
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Danscher, G., Schrøder, H.D. Histochemical demonstration of mercury induced changes in rat neurons. Histochemistry 60, 1–7 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00495724
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00495724