The effect of heavy metals (lead, manganese, mercury) on the concentration of free amino acids in the liver of rats.

The authors report their experimental data from a several years long study of the influence of Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), and Mercury (Hg) upon the free amino acid concentrations in the liver of rats. Comparing the effects of the metals investigated they established that the disorders caused by Pb and Mn become more serious with time after poisoning, while Hg shows early influence and changes. The concentration of the sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine) decreases considerably under the influence of Pb and Mn. Mercury tends to produce an increase of the cysteine content, whilst methionine, after an initial elevation, gradually decreases to values similar to those of the controls.