Differential effects of methylmercury, thiols, and vitamins on galactosidases of nervous and non-nervous tissues

Mice were given daily doses of methylmercuric chloride at a dose rate of 1mg/kg body weight for one week. Some animals were then treated for one week with one of the antagonists, N-acetyl-DL-homocysteine thiolactone or glutathione (GSH). Other groups received vitamin therapy for one week. The vitamins included vitamin B complex, vitamin B sub(12), vitamin E, and vitamin C. Some mice were given a daily regimen of one of the antagonists with a dose of one of the vitamins 30 min later. After sacrifice alpha - and beta -galactosidases were determined in brain, spinal cord, kidney, liver, and testis. Inhibition of both enzymes was evident in central nervous system tissue (CNS) and testis of Hg-treated animals. Treatment with vitamins reversed this effect in CNS tissue. Vitamin E was most effective in the brain, while both types of B-vitamin treatments were effective for spinal cord injury. Antagonist treatment also showed CNS tissue recovery from Hg poisoning. GSH brought about non-CNS tissue recovery as well. Results from combined treatment with both antagonists and vitamins were mixed.