Therapeutic abilities of thiol compounds in the restoration of methylmercury-inhibited cholesterol and triglycerides of the rat's central nervous system.

The present study was basically designed to gain an insight into the alterations in the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in various neuroanatomical areas of the rat under the influence of different doses and durations of methylmercury chloride (MMC), N-acetyl-DL-homocysteine thiolactone (NAHT), and glutathione (GSH) applications. The study showed insignificant alterations in the levels of both the metabolites after two days of drug and antagonist application. The rest of the animal groups exhibited a progressive inhibition of both the metabolites in all the CNS areas with increasing dose and duration of drug treatment. The antagonists, NAHT and GSH, were able to cause a recovery in both the metabolites in most of the groups, yet in no case were absolute control values achieved. It was concluded that antagonists alone are not helpful in mobilizing the mercury as well as producing a recovery in the biochemical lesions induced in the CNS.