Acute effects of mercuric chloride on intracellular GSH levels and mercury distribution in the fish Oreochromis aureus

As GSH is ubiquitous in living organisms it is of interest to establish a relationship between mercury intoxication and intracellular GSH levels in fish; especially as fish living in rivers and coastal areas are often exposed to mercury as an aquatic pollutant. The role of GSH in fish trace metal toxicity has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this investigation is to establish any changes in organ GSH and mercury levels in Oreochromis aureus following just 2 h exposure to mercuric chloride (HgCl sub(2)).