Intestinal transport of methylmercury and inorganic mercury in various models of Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cells

Food is the main pathway of exposure to mercury for most of the population. In food, mercury is generally present as inorganic mercury [Hg(II)] or methylmercury [MeHg]. Both chemical forms have some degree of toxicity, especially MeHg, which is considered a powerful neurotoxicant during development and is classified as a possible human carcinogen. Since the main exposure pathway is oral, gastrointestinal absorption is a decisive step in the process by which mercury reaches the systemic circulation. However, there are few studies that characterize this absorption process.