Thimerosal-Derived Ethylmercury Is a Mitochondrial Toxin in Human Astrocytes : Possible Role of Fenton Chemistry in the Oxidation and Breakage of mtDNA
Joint Authors
Sharpe, Martyn A.
Livingston, Andrew D.
Baskin, David S.
Source
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-12, 12 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-06-28
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
12
Main Subjects
Pharmacy, Health & Medical Sciences
Medicine
Abstract EN
Thimerosal generates ethylmercury in aqueous solution and is widely used as preservative.
We have investigated the toxicology of Thimerosal in normal human astrocytes, paying particular attention to mitochondrial function and the generation of specific oxidants.
We find that ethylmercury not only inhibits mitochondrial respiration leading to a drop in the steady state membrane potential, but also concurrent with these phenomena increases the formation of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and Fenton/Haber-Weiss generated hydroxyl radical.
These oxidants increase the levels of cellular aldehyde/ketones.
Additionally, we find a five-fold increase in the levels of oxidant damaged mitochondrial DNA bases and increases in the levels of mtDNA nicks and blunt-ended breaks.
Highly damaged mitochondria are characterized by having very low membrane potentials, increased superoxide/hydrogen peroxide production, and extensively damaged mtDNA and proteins.
These mitochondria appear to have undergone a permeability transition, an observation supported by the five-fold increase in Caspase-3 activity observed after Thimerosal treatment.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Sharpe, Martyn A.& Livingston, Andrew D.& Baskin, David S.. 2012. Thimerosal-Derived Ethylmercury Is a Mitochondrial Toxin in Human Astrocytes : Possible Role of Fenton Chemistry in the Oxidation and Breakage of mtDNA. Journal of Toxicology،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-466944
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Sharpe, Martyn A.…[et al.]. Thimerosal-Derived Ethylmercury Is a Mitochondrial Toxin in Human Astrocytes : Possible Role of Fenton Chemistry in the Oxidation and Breakage of mtDNA. Journal of Toxicology No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-466944
American Medical Association (AMA)
Sharpe, Martyn A.& Livingston, Andrew D.& Baskin, David S.. Thimerosal-Derived Ethylmercury Is a Mitochondrial Toxin in Human Astrocytes : Possible Role of Fenton Chemistry in the Oxidation and Breakage of mtDNA. Journal of Toxicology. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-466944
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-466944