Influence of trace metals on serum total sialic acids and perchloric acid--soluble proteins and sialic acids in mice.

Male Swiss mice were exposed to a single LD50 (75%; i.p.) of mercury, zinc, lead and manganese to determine their influence on serum sialic acid and protein levels after a refractory period of 48 h. They significantly elevated, in different proportions, the serum levels of total and perchloric acid (PCA)-soluble sialic acids (biological marker) and PCA-soluble proteins, thus indicating their toxicity.