Mercury chloride (HgCl2) has a potent nephrotoxic effect. Most of Hg2+ existing in plasma following HgCl2 exposure forms a complex with sulfhydryl-containing ligands such as albumin and glutathione (GSH). The Hg2+-GSH complex is filtered in the glomeruli of the kidney and degraded into Hg2+-cysteine in the proximal tubules by the combined action of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and dipeptidase present in the epithelial cells. The degradation product is then incorporated and accumulated into the proximal tubule epithelial cells. The accumulated Hg2+ in the epithelial cells finally causes acute tubular necrosis (ATN) by its cytotoxic effect. At present, it is believed that tubular obstruction resulting from ATN triggers the onset of HgCl2-induced acute renal failure (ARF).
A progressive fall in glomerulur filtration rate (GFR) contributes to the progression of HgCl2-induced ARF. The fall in GFR may be caused by an increment in afferent arteriole resistance (RA) and a decrement in the ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf) due to mesangial cell contraction. These changes in RA and Kf may be attributed to the increased action of the vasoconstrictors, angiotensin II and endothelin-1 and to the decreased action of the vasodilator, nitric oxide observed at the glomerulus level of HgCl2-induced ARF. Accordingly, the imbalance between these vasoactive substances appears to play an important role in the progression of HgCl2-induced ARF due to reducing GFR. Further studies, however, remain to elucidate the mechanisms involved.