Sources of methylmercury (MeHg) in adult Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis, PBT) from the western North Ocean (WPO) were examined using mercury stable isotopes. Significant increases δ202Hg and Δ199Hg values with PBT size age, along those potential prey, indicate a shift source MeHg accumulated by as they age. Among adults WPO, this likely involves greater accumulation epipelagic prey Ku...

A connection between accumulation of methylmercury (MeHg) in wild fish populations and atmospheric mercury deposition has not been made. Large databases for both MeHg in fish and atmospheric mercury deposition have been assimilated from monitoring efforts spanning the contiguous United States. Here, we compare results of these data sets and show that state-wide average concentrations of MeHg in...

Seafood consumption is the primary route of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure for most populations. Inherent uncertainties in dietary survey data point to the need for an empirical tool to confirm exposure sources. We therefore explore the utility of Hg stable isotope ratios in human hair as a new method for discerning MeHg exposure sources. We characterized Hg isotope fractionation between humans ...

Methylmercury (MeHg) disrupts the function of native, high voltage-activated neuronal Ca(2+) channels in several types of cells. However, the effects of MeHg on isolated Ca(2+) channel phenotypes have not been examined. The aim of the present study was to examine the action of MeHg on recombinant, neuronal L-type voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channels. Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) were tra...

Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure during pregnancy is a concern because of its potential health risks to the fetus. Wheat bran (bran), which outer layer wheat kernel, used as functional substance in food for specified uses Japan. In present study, we examined effect on accumulation and excretion Hg mice evaluate use reducing risk MeHg. Female BALB/cByJ were administered MeHg chloride (4 mg Hg/kg, p...

Toxicity of methylmercury (MeHg) to wildlife and humans results from its binding cysteine residues proteins, forming MeHg-cysteinate (MeHgCys) complexes that hinder biological functions. MeHgCys can be detoxified in vivo, yet how this occurs is unknown. We report are transformed into selenocysteinate [Hg(Sec)4] multiple animals two phyla (a waterbird, freshwater fish, earthworms) sampled differ...

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a sulfhydryl-containing compound that produces a dramatic acceleration of urinary methylmercury (MeHg) excretion in poisoned mice, but the molecular mechanism for this effect is poorly defined. MeHg readily binds to NAC to form the MeHg-NAC complex, and recent studies indicate that this complex is an excellent substrate for the basolateral organic anion transporter (Oa...

The frequencies of micronuclei (MN) and morphological nuclear abnormalities (NA) in erythrocytes in the peripheral blood of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), treated with 2 mg.L(-1) methylmercury (MeHg), were analyzed. Two groups (nine specimens in each) were exposed to MeHg for different periods (group A - 24 h; group B - 120 h). A third group served as negative control (group C, untreated; n =...

Exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) from fish and marine mammal consumption continues to present a public health concern. To date, developmental neurotoxicity is the most sensitive health outcome, forming the basis for health-risk assessments and the derivation of biomonitoring guidance values. This article summarizes existing Health Canada MeHg blood guidance values for general population and exp...

The environmental neurotoxicant methylmercury (MeHg) causes profound disruption of cerebellar function. Previous studies have shown that acute exposure to MeHg impairs synaptic transmission in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. However, the effects of MeHg on cerebellar synaptic function have never been examined. In the present study, effects of acute exposure to MeHg on synaptic ...