Molecular mechanisms of functional disorder induced by mercury

Cell can undergo a signal response which is broadly classified as death and/or survival signal when insulted by toxicants. Each organ has its own critical limit, regulated by the preprogrammed signaling system. Metal exposure in our daily life occurs through natural sources like food or water. The liver is an essential detoxification organ that forms an important barrier between the gastrointestinal blood, which contains large amounts of toxins and antigens, and the body. Mercury is a ubiquitous hepatotoxicant that affects all the organisms deleteriously. Mercury is an element that occurs naturally in the environment, usually in combination with other elements as mercury compounds or salts. Mercury is present in toothpaste, mascara, lipstick, sindoor, painting materials which pose a risk of toxicity to humans at chronic low concentration of the metal. Considering the dearth of information on the nature of cytotoxicity of low concentration of mercury, the present study has revealed here the cytotoxic responses in rat hepatocytes at low level of exposure.