[Effect of chronic mercuric chloride poisoning on the levels of connective tissue metabolites in the urine and blood of rats].

Mercury chloride was administered into rats (1 mg/kg) in drinking water daily for 12 weeks. Revealed was an increase in the content of oxyproline and glycosaminglycanes in urine, as well as increased concentration of these compounds in blood serum. Glycosamine growth was accompanied by decreased contents of keratin sulphates and higher concentrations of heparin and heparin sulphates. The results indicated to the influence of mercury on the connective tissue metabolism.