Figure 5.

Nrf2 confers protection against MeHg toxicity. (a) Total cell lysates (upper) or crude membrane fractions (lower) from primary hepatocytes from Nrf2^+/+ or Nrf2^−/− mice were subjected to western blotting with the antibodies indicated. (b) Primary hepatocytes from Nrf2^+/+ or Nrf2^−/− mice were exposed to MeHg (1, 5, 10, and 20 μM) for 24 h, and then the MTT assay was performed. Each value represents the mean ± SE of three independent experiments. (c) Nrf2^+/+ or Nrf2^−/− mice were orally administrated MeHg (1 mg/kg). After 48 h, the total mercury contents of the cerebellum, cerebrum, and liver were determined by atomic absorption mercury detection. Each value represents the mean ± SE of five independent experiments. (d) Nrf2^+/+ or Nrf2^−/− mice were orally administered MeHg (5 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) for 12 days (n = 4) and mortality was recorded. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01 for the Nrf2^−/− mice compared to the Nrf2^+/+ mice. Partially reprinted from Toyama et al. [42, 53] with the permission of Biochemical Biophysical Research Communications and Environmental Health Perspectives.