Role of exogenous reduced glutathione on time dependent 203Hg distribution in liver and kidney of a freshwater teleost, Anabas testudineus.

Time-dependent tissue distribution of mercury(Hg) was studied in a freshwater perch, Anabas testudineus which revealed that the liver and kidneys are the major sites of Hg retention. The role of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the clearance of Hg was also investigated to evaluate the ameliorative effect of this nucleophile. For this purpose, the perch was given GSH 15 min before or after they received 203Hg by injection. The fish were then sacrificed at 24 h and 48 h later. The results clearly indicate that exogenous GSH can significantly reduce Hg retention in both the liver and kidneys, demonstrating a direct role of this nucleophile in the amelioration of Hg-induced toxicity in the early phase of intoxication.