US EPA

5101452 

Journal Article 

Low doses of methylmercury intoxication solely or associated to ethanol binge drinking induce psychiatric-like disorders in adolescent female rats 

Belém-Filho, IJA; Ribera, PC; Nascimento, AL; Gomes, ARQ; Lima, RR; Crespo-Lopez, ME; Monteiro, MC; Fontes-Júnior, EA; Lima, MO; Maia, CSF 

2018 

Yes 

Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology
ISSN: 1382-6689
EISSN: 1872-7077 

Elsevier B.V. 

60 

184-194 

English 

29734102 

10.1016/j.etap.2018.04.021 

WOS:000437817800024 

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85046794230&doi=10.1016%2fj.etap.2018.04.021&partnerID=40&md5=3134b6228b700de8cd8530687085cba7
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Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental contaminant that provokes damage to developing brain. Simultaneously, the consumption of ethanol among adolescents has increased. Evidence concerning the effects of MeHg low doses per se or associated with ethanol during adolescence are scarce. Thus, we investigate behavioral disorders resulted from exposure to MeHg low doses and co-intoxicated with ethanol in adolescent rats. Wistar rats received chronic exposure to low doses of MeHg (40 μg/kg/day for 5 weeks) and/or ethanol binge drinking (3 g/kg/day at 3 days per week for 5 weeks). Animals were submitted to behavioral assays to assess emotionality and cognitive function. Total mercury content was evaluated in the brain and hair. Oxidative parameters were analyzed in blood samples. MeHg at low doses or associated to ethanol binge drinking produced psychiatric-like disorders and cognitive impairment. Peripherally, MeHg altered oxidative parameters when associated to ethanol. Ethanol administration reduced brain mercury deposit. We proposed that ethanol reduces the necessity of mercury tissue levels to display psychiatric-like disorders/cognitive impairment. 

Adolescence; Behavior; Ethanol; Methylmercury; Rat