Otomatsu Hoshino

Distribution of inorganic, aryl, and alkyl mercury compounds in rats

Abstract Mercuric chloride (MC), phenylmercuric chloride (PMC), ethylmercuric chloride (EMC), S-ethylmercuric cysteine (EMCys), and n -butylmercuric chloride (BMC) labeled with 203 Hg were subcutaneously administered to rats, and the distribution and excretion of mercury were determined. In general, alkylmercury compounds (EMC, EMCys, and BMC) were excreted more slowly and were retained in higher concentration for a longer time in the body than MC and PMC. Several alkylmercury compounds revealed different metabolic behavior which depended on the carbon-chain length of the alkyl group. Distribution of mercury in the brain was found to depend on the structure of the mercury compounds. The relation between the neurotoxicity and the structure of the mercury compounds was discussed.

Microanalysis of Ether in Biological Materials

Micro-analysis of ethyl ether in forensic chemistry was investigated. Gas-liquid chromatography was employed for detection of ethyl ether from biological fluids. As pre-treatment, ethyl ether was extacted with n-propyl- or butyl-acetate. Cyclohexane was conveniently used as an internal standard. It was found that the method was available for quantitative analysis of ethyl ether in biological fluids. Micro diffusion method and Widmarks method were also investigated for quantitative determination of ethyl ether, and it was found that both, especially the later, gave good results. Several forensic applications of these methods were also discribed.