A REACTION-PRODUCT FROM MERCURIC MERCURY, SELENITE AND REDUCED GLUTATHIONE

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 38  (2) , 291-299
Abstract
Reaction of mercuric mercury and selenite in the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH) was studied. A black complex containing GSH and equimolar amounts of Hg and Se was obtained by the reaction of sodium selenite and HgCl2 in the presence of excess amounts of GSH. This complex was soluble in water, but insoluble in ethanol. Toxicity of the complex was low in comparison with HgCl2 or sodium selenite. Formation of such complex of lower toxicity in animals may play an important role in the modification of toxicity of mercuric mercury by selenite.