Subchronic treatment with mercuric chloride suppresses immune response, elicits behavioral deficits and increases brain serotonin and dopamine metabolism in rats

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2008 Jan;21(1):7-11.

Abstract

In view of the neurotoxic effects of mercuric chloride the following study was designed to explore its effects on brain serotonin and dopamine metabolism. Mercuric chloride injected at a dose of 1 mg/ml/kg increased locomotor activity, decreased latency to move, corner sittings and food intake. A decrease of 33% of immune response was observed in mercuric chloride treated rats as evident from anti nuclear antibody (ANA) positive test. Neurochemical analysis revealed that mercuric chloride administration increased brain tryptophan concentrations 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid, while 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and Dopamine (DA) were decreased. The results also showed an increase in brain 5-HT and DA turnover rate in mercuric chloride injected rats. These increases in 5-HT and DA metabolism suggest that mercuric chloride may tend to contribute to anorexia and hyperactivity induced in drug administered rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / analysis*
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Female
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / analysis
  • Mercuric Chloride / administration & dosage
  • Mercuric Chloride / toxicity*
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Tryptophan / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Serotonin
  • Mercuric Chloride
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • Tryptophan
  • Dopamine