Risk assessment of methyl mercury toxicity using fibroblast

2012 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23710044
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Environmental impact assessment/Environmental policy
• Research Institution: Tottori University
• Principal Investigator: HORAI Sawako 鳥取大学, 地域学部, 准教授 (60512689)
• Project Period (FY): 2011 – 2012
• Keywords: マングース / 初代肝細胞 / 水銀 / 細胞毒性

Research Abstract

The present study established a primary hepatocyte culture for the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus). To determine the suitable medium for growing the primary hepatic cells of this species, we compared the condition of cells cultured in three media that are frequently used for mammalian cell culture: Dulbecco's Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM), RPMI-1640, and William’s E. Of these, William’s E medium was best suited for culturing the hepatic cells of this species. Using periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and ultrastructural observations, we demonstrated the cells collected from mongoose livers were hepatocytes. To evaluate the distribution of mercury(Hg) in the liver tissue, we carried out autometallography (AMG) staining. Most of the Hg compounds were found in the central region of hepatic lobules. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum, which plays a role in xenobiotic metabolism, lipid/cholesterol metabolism, and the digestion and detoxification of lipophilic substances is grown in this area. This suggested that Hg colocalized with smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The results of the present study could be useful to identify the detoxification systems of wildlife with high Hg content in the body, and to evaluate the susceptibility of wildlife to Hg toxicity.