Selenite or selenomethionine interaction with methylmercury on uptake and toxicity showing a weak selenite protection - Studies of cultured K-562 cells

Selenium and methylmercuric chloride (MMC) interactions regarding cellular uptake and selenium protection on MMC toxicity have been studied. Human K-5 62 cells were pretreated or simultaneously treated with either selenite (5 or 50 muM) or selenomethionine (10 or 50 muM) together with (3.5 or 5 muM) MMC. Cells simultaneously treated with selenite or selenomethionine and 3.5 muM MMC showed a decreased mercury concentration with increased selenium d ose especially seen in the selenite combinations. The simultaneous selenite and MMC 3.5 muM combinations showed growth curves with an increasing numbe r of viable cells with increased selenite dose. All combinations with 5 muM MMC were toxic to the cells. Interactions between selenite or selenomethio nine and MMC regarding cellular uptake of mercury and selenium were observe d and indications of selenite protection against MMC toxicity in human K-56 2 cells were noticed.