Restoration of methylmercury inhibited adenosine triphosphatases during vitamin and monothiol therapy.

The aim of our investigation was to examine the efficacy of monothiols and vitamins in the restoration of ion-dependent ATPases in mice intoxicated with methylmercury chloride (MMC). A daily dose of glutathione (GSH), N-acetyl-DL-homocysteine thiolactone (NAHT), vitamin B complex, or vitamin E, either alone or in combination, resulted in significant recovery of N+, K+, Mg++ ATPases. A significant recovery was noted in some therapeutic groups. As the therapeutic agents used in this study are natural physiological components present in all the animals, they are unlikely to be injurious if applied in appropriate doses. Hence, they can be safely recommended for methylmercury detoxication.