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2306192 
Journal Article 
Abstract 
Application of radiorespirometry as a fast screening method for toxic substances: 1. Effect of methylmercury chloride 
Lee, SD; Danner, RM; Mcmillan, L; Iltis, R 
1974 
1 
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
ISSN: 0041-008X
EISSN: 1096-0333 
29 
1 
147-148 
English 
WOS:A1974T653800189 
is part of a larger document 3378179 Abstracts of papers for the Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology, Washington, D.C. March 10–14, 1974
The primary objective of this investigation is to develop new, or apply existing techniques that are capable of detecting early biochemical changes before the appearance of overt toxic signs in the process of toxicologic assessment of low concentrations of environmental pollutants. Various reports have been published on biologic effects of pollutants; yet, there is a paucity of information concerning the effects of pollutants on biochemical interactions at low, relevant concentrations of environmental pollutants using in vivo nonterminal experiments. Rats exposed to S02 showed decreased metabolic activity, as determined by suppressed CO2 output following injection of [U-14C]glucose; the degree of suppression was related to SO2 concentration between 27.7 and 200 ppm. On the other hand, 14CO2 release from rats following [1-14C]palmitate injection was enhanced. These phenomena indicated an effect similar to "Pasteur effect." Radiorespirometric investigation on metabolic effect of CH3HgCl provided an extremely sensitive measure. Intragastric administration of CH3HgCl (0.05 and 0.10 mg/kg) caused suppression in 14C02 output following an iv injection of [1-14C]glucose. This effect was cumulative when treatment was repeated 1 week later. To date the alterations reported herein are the earliest effects observed after exposure to low concentrations of CH3HgCl. These metabolic alterations were demonstrable in non-terminal in vivo experiments. Furthermore, a mathematical model has been developed from these results which enables one to predict the effect over a longer period of time by examining the 14CO2 excretion pattern over a 30- to 60-min period (initial slope). In addition, one can predict dose-response over a wide range of toxicant concentrations by simulation on analog computer and interpolation following a small number of strategic experiments. 
Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology 
Washington, D.C. 
March 10–14, 1974