A cell aggregation model for the protective effect of selenium and vitamin E on methylmercury toxicity.

Histotypic aggregation of embryonic neural retinal cells was chosen as a test model to evaluate mercury toxicity. After 24 h rotational culture with methylmercury (CH3HgCl) at 4 microM, aggregation was completely inhibited. A dose-response relationship between concentrations of methylmercury and final sizes of aggregates was found. Selenium (Na2SeO3) at concentrations of 1, 3 and 5 microM provided a protective effect for methylmercury (1 microM) toxicity. Vitamin E (DL-alpha-Tocopherol acetate) at concentrations 5, 7 and 10 microM also provided protection against the same concentration of methylmercury; however, it was less effective than selenium. Histotypic embryonal retinal cell aggregation may be a useful assay system for in vitro neurotoxic studies in morphogenesis.