Effect of subchronic administration of ethanol and methylmercury in combination on the tissue distribution of mercury in rats.

The effect of oral administration for 14 weeks of 8 g.kg-1.day-1 ethanol and 0.5 mg.kg-1.day-1 methylmercuric chloride in combination to rats fed isocaloric diets has been investigated. Ethanol, in contrast to published studies, failed to influence the tissue distribution of methylmercury and its inorganic mercury metabolite in brain and kidney, and did not inhibit the increase in kidney weight induced by methylmercury. Ethanol and methylmercury, in combination and individually, reduced the renal but not the hepatic activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase, but did not affect the renal and biliary concentration of reduced glutathione. Further study is required to determine the circumstances under which ethanol can influence the tissue distribution of methylmercury and its inorganic mercury metabolite.