Degeneration of Tibial Nerve Induced by HgCl_2 in Rats / 环境与健康杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the adverse effect of mercury on the tibial nerves of rats. Methods Seventy SD rats (35 females, 35 males, weighed 160-200 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups. 40 rats in group 1 were used to test the acute toxicity of HgCl2, 10 rats in group 2 were given HgCl2 by gavage at 17 mg/kg(1/4 LD50) daily, in group 3 the dose was 8.5 mg/kg(1/8 LD50), 10 rats in group 4 were treated with 0.9% saline 2 ml by gavage daily, the experimental duration was (20?4) days. When the model had been developed, all the male rats were killed and the female rats in group 2 and 3 were given the chelator(DMPS) by intraperitoneal injection at 28 mg/kg for 2 periods of treatment, then were killed and the tibial nerves were examined with the electronic microscope. Results The oral LD50 of HgCl2 was 68.1 mg/kg. Seven rats in group 2 (7/10) were poisoned and two of them got pain manifestation. Six rats in group 3(6/10) were poisoned. Myelinoclasis and the changed axons were found in the tibial nerves of poisoned rats and it was more serious in the rats with pain. The chelator(DMPS) did not relieve the change. Conclusion Sub-acute poisoning of HgCl2 can induce degeneration of tibial nerves in SD rats .