THE MERCURY AS ENDOCRINE DISRUPTOR ON THE ADRENOCARCINOMA CELL LINE H295R

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is one of the oldest heavy metals, which has various effects on the endocrine system. Target of this in vitro study was to determine the effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) on the steroidogenesis in adrenocarcinoma cells isolated from the cell line H295R. We examined the dose-dependent changes of HgCl2 on the production of testosterone (T). Release of steroid hormone by adrenocarcinoma cells was determined after 48 h HgCl2 exposure (1.0; 5.0; 25; 50; 100 µmol.dm-3) using an ELISA assay. Decreased hormone production was detected in all experimental groups with the addition of HgCl2. In regards to the release of T, significant differences (P<0.01) between the control group and all experimental groups was recorded. The lowest amount of T was found after administration at doses >50 μmol.dm-3 of HgCl2. Obtained data indicate, that Hg has toxic effect on the testosterone production and its toxicity can reflect also in the others pathways of the cells.