[The tissue distribution and the effect of mercury on the hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis following the oral administration of methyl- and ethylmercurial compounds (author's transl)].

Hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis from acetate-1-14C, hepatic cholesterol level and accumulation of mercury into various tissues were examined following oral administration of methyl- or ethyl-mercury to mice (or rat) at next dosage levels, 80 ppm for 10-19 days, 50 ppm for 30 days and 100 ppm for 15 days. The results obtained were as follows. 1. Hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis was elevated at a dose of 80 ppm and decreased at a dose of 50 and 100 ppm. The change of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis showed the negative correlation with that of cholesterol level. 2. In comparison between methyl-and ethylmercury, the latter accumulated more than the former in liver and spleen, while the former accumulated more than the latter in kidney, cerebum and skeletal muscle. The administration of ethylmercury caused more decrease of body weight, increase of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis and hepatic cholesterol level than the administration of methylmercury.