Acceleration of Mercury Excretion in Human by Administration of Thiamin Tetrahydrofurfuryl Disulfide (TTFD)

Abstract

Using human mustache, the excretion of intracorporeal methylmercury by the administration of thiamin tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD) was investigated. The usual dosage of TTFD administered orally significantly increased the mercury level in the mustache seven to ten days later, but another thiamin derivative, S-benzoylthiamin monophosphate (BTMP) did not show such effects. From their chemical structural difference it was strongly suggested that the mechanism of the mercury excretion was based on the side chain structure of TTFD, furfurylmercaptan.