Extracorporeal excretion of the mercury from organs by sulfur-bridged complex.

The extracorporeal excretion of mercury from the organs by [Mo3S4(Hnta)3]2- (referred to as the NTA complex) solution was investigated using mice exposed to metallic mercury vapor. A decrease in mercury levels was seen in the organs of mice that were administered NTA complex solution when compared to organs in mice receiving L-cysteine or water. Moreover, in mice that were administered NTA complex solution, mercury level in the kidneys decreased at the third and fifth days following mercury exposure. These results suggest that NTA complex solution has the effect of releasing mercury in the living-body as seen when mercury levels are compared with those in the organs of mice that were administered L-cysteine or water.