Effect of methyl mercury on prostaglandin synthesis in rabbit kidney medulla slices.

Effects of methylmercuric chloride (MMC) in the absence and presence of ascorbic acid on the synthesis of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha, and the lipid peroxidation of rabbit kidney medulla slices were studied. MMC showed dose-dependent inhibition of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha formation. The lipid peroxidation was not stimulated by MMC alone. Ascorbic acid plus MMC were able to stimulate the lipid peroxidation markedly, but the lipid peroxidation induced by ascorbic acid plus MMC had no influence on prostaglandin E2 production decreased by MMC alone. These results suggest that MMC inhibits prostaglandin formation by affecting the activity of prostaglandin cyclooxygenase, but that lipid peroxidation is not directly responsible for this inhibitory effect of MMC.