Changes in the levels of low molecular weight metabolites in the mouse cerebellum following treatment with methylmercury.

Metabolomic analysis was performed using the cerebellum of methylmercury-treated mice to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying methylmercury-induced cerebellar dysfunction. Methylmercury administration led to significant increases in the levels of 11 low molecular weight metabolites and significant reductions in the levels of 29 others, including several metabolites produced by amino acid and purine metabolism. Non-significant decreases in metabolites involved in the TCA cycle and in glutathione metabolism were also observed.