文章基本信息

标题：L-arginine Reduces Mercury Accumulation in Thymus of Mercury-exposed Mice: Role of Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity and Metallothioneins
本地全文：下载
作者：Massimo BRACCI ; Marco TOMASETTI ; Marco MALAVOLTA 等
期刊名称：Industrial Health
印刷版ISSN：0019-8366
电子版ISSN：1880-8026
出版年度：2008
卷号：46
期号：6
页码：567-574
DOI：10.2486/indhealth.46.567
出版社：National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
摘要：Mercury, an occupational and environmental contaminant, is a well-recognized health hazard. The thymus is a target for inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺); thymic function is impaired in Hg²⁺ intoxication and is partially restored by simultaneous L-arginine supplementation. The nitric oxide (NO)-nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathway and metallothioneins (MTs) were studied to investigate the role of L-arginine in thymic function restoration after mercury exposure. Mice received a higher and a lower dose of inorganic mercury, with and without L-arginine supplementation. Saline-treated mice were used as controls. Thymus weight and thymulin were measured as indices of thymic function. Mice treated with Hg²⁺ alone displayed an accumulation of metal in the thymus, reduced NOS activity, a lower plasma nitrite plus nitrate concentration and an increased MTs expression compared with control mice. L-arginine supplementation was associated with lower Hg²⁺ concentrations in the organ and partial preservation of other measures. Reduced accumulation of Hg²⁺ in mice dosed with L-arginine was probably related to greater NO production and NO-MTs interactions.
关键词：Mercury;L-arginine;Nitric oxide;Nitric oxide synthase;Metallothioneins;Thymus