Should ebselen be considered for the treatment of mercury intoxication? A minireview.

ABSTRACT: Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant and can be found in inorganic (Hg⁰, Hg⁺ and Hg²⁺) and organic forms (chiefly CH₃Hg⁺ or MeHg⁺). The main route of human, mammals and bird exposure occurs via predatory fish ingestion. Occupational exposure to Hg⁰ (and Hg²⁺) can also occur; furthermore, in gold mining areas the exposure to inorganic Hg can also be high. The toxicity of electrophilic forms of Hg (E⁺Hg) is mediated by disruption of thiol (-SH)- or selenol (-SeH)-containing proteins. The therapeutic approaches to treat methylmercury (MeHg⁺), Hg⁰ and Hg²⁺ are limited. Here we discuss the potential use of ebselen as a potential therapeutic agen

SUBMITTER: Barbosa NV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10841883 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature