Modifying effects of inactivated bovine serum on the acute toxicity of methylmercuric chloride in cells cultured in vitro.

Dynamics of the killing of Ehrlich's murine ascites tumor cells by methylmercuric chloride, MMC, were investigated. Thresholds in the killing action of MMC were observed in the MMC treatment concentration, but not in the MMC treatment time. Inactivated bovine serum protected the E-cells from killing by MMC in vitro. The apparent MMC toxicity was reduced as the serum concentration increased, but remaining partially at high concentrations. Thus the serum increases the threshold for MMC toxicity. It was confirmed that the mode of action, observed as the kinetics of the acute lethality by suspicious substances, could be examined promptly on the mammalian cell level by the present experimental system.