Abstract
REABSORPTION of methylmercury excreted with bile1 is one of the major factors responsible for its long biological half-life. Without preventing reabsorption there is no point in increasing the biliary excretion of this highly toxic compound. The discovery that polythiolated resins given in food can trap methylmercury in the intestine and can increase its faecal excretion2 has, however, changed the situation and prompted research to increase biliary excretion with penicillamine of BAL (ref. 3). It is known that phenobarbitone enhances bile flow4 and the biliary excretion of a variety of compounds5, so we investigated its effect on the biliary excretion of methylmercury in rats and on the faecal excretion of methylmercury in mice given polythiolated resin in their food.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
We are sorry, but there is no personal subscription option available for your country.
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Norseth, T., and Clarkson, T. W., Arch, environ. Hlth, 22, 568 (1971).
Clarkson, T. W., Small, H., and Norseth, T., Arch, environ. Hlth, 26, 673 (1973).
Norseth, T., Acta pharmac. Tox., 32, 1 (1973).
Roberts, R. J., and Plaa, G. L., Biochem. Pharmac., 16, 827 (1967).
Klaasen, C. D. J., Pharmac. exp. Ther., 175, 289 (1970).
Cirkt, M., Br. J. ind. Med., 29, 74 (1972).
Magos, L., and Clarkson, T. W., J. Ass. Off. agric. Chem., 55, 966 (1972).
Östlund, K., Acta pharmac. Tox., 27, suppl. 1 (1968).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MAGOS, L., CLARKSON, T. Effect of Phenobarbitone on the Biliary Excretion of Methylmercury in Rats and Mice. Nature New Biology 246, 123–124 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio246123a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio246123a0