VPT 421: Veterinary Toxicology (2+0)

MECHANISM OF TOXICITY

• Inorganic mercury salts cause direct tissue necrosis and renal tubular necrosis.
• Mercuric ions bind covalently with sulphur and thereby inhibit sulphydryl enzymes in microsomes and mitochondria.
• Mercurial slats may also bind to proteins as mercaptides.
• Organic alkyl mercurials interfere with metabolic activity and prevent synthesis of essential proteins, leading to cellular degeneration and necrosis. Their most important target organ is the brain.