Author: Nakao H, Ueha-Ishibashi T, Umebayashi C, Oyama Y.
Source: Natural Science Research. Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, the University of Tokushima
Year: 2003
Comment:
Abstract / Excerpt:
“There is a concern on the part of community that adverse health consequences by thimerosal, one of mercurial preservatives, may occur among infants during immunization schedule although it is generally believed that the safety of thimerosal use for humans has been established. Therefore, the effect of thimerosal on K562 human leukemia cells was compared with that of methylmercury. Incubation of K562 cells with thimerosal at micromolar concentrations for 72 hr inhibited the growth and increased the population of shrunken cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Significant changes in growth and population were seen in the case of 3 .MU.M thimerosal. The population of hypodiploidal cells was also greatly increased by 3 .MU.M thimerosal, suggesting that the thimerosal-induced apoptosis of K562 cells. The complete inhibition of growth was observed in the cells incubated with 10 .MU.M thimerosal. The potency of thimerosal to affect K562 cells was similar to that of methylmercury. Therefore, the attention may be paid on the use of thimerosal as a preservative in vaccines for infants.”
Citation:
Nakao H, Ueha-Ishibashi T, Umebayashi C, Oyama Y. Actions of thimerosal on growth and viability of K562 human leukemia cells: Comparison with those of methylmercury. Natural Science Research. Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, the University of Tokushima. 2003; 17: 43-52.