Molecular mechanisms underlying cytotoxic edema induced by methylmercury

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Selective damage of the cerebrum in the patients with Minamata disease is attributed to methylmercury induced-cerebral edema. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms of cytotoxic edema caused by methylmercury. Aldose reductase dysfunction in polyol pathway is known to causes cytotoxic edema. We founded that methylmercury induced aldose reductase expressionvia p38 MAPK and transcription factor Nrf2 activation in cultured human brain microvascular pericytes. These resultssuggest the possibility that induction of aldose reductase expression might be one of the molecular mechanism underling cytotoxic edema induced by methylmercury.