Interaction of alkylmercuric compounds with sodium selenite. II. Metabolism of methylmercuric chloride administered alone and in combination with sodium selenite in rats.

Repeated doses of sodium selenite (Se) were administered to rats receiving repeated (IV or PO) doses of 0.25 or 2.5 mg Hg/kg methylmercuric chloride (Me2(203)Hg). Se (0.5 mg/kg) was observed to alter the distribution of Me203Hg among tissues as well as among subcellular fractions of kidneys and liver. An excess of selenium resulted in a twofold decrease in the mercury content of kidneys and a similar increase in the mercury content of brain.