The intracellular distribution of mercury in rat liver after a single injection of mercuric chloride

Abstract

The intracellular distribution of mercury in rat liver has been investigated at different times following a single injection of mercuric chloride. The centrifugal technique is based on marker enzyme distribution for characterizing the fractions, followed by a purification step for lysosomes and peroxisomes. The mercury content in cellular fractions has been examined and estimates are given of the mercury content in mitochondria, lysosomes, peroxisomes, and in microsomes. An accumulation of mercury is found in lysosomes with increasing time. The symptoms of mercury intoxication are compared with possible results of lysosomal injury. The possibility of studying physiological functions of lysosomes applying similar techniques is pointed out. Further the potential usefulness of the procedure is outlined for gaining additional information on the biochemical lesions in different forms of mercury intoxications.