Methylmercury (MeHg) is considered by the World Health Organization as one of the
chemicals of greatest public health concern. Thus, knowing the susceptibility of central
nervous system regions and the absence of evidence about the effects on the spinal cord, this study aimed to investigate proteomic and biochemical changes in the spinal cord after MeHg long-term exposure at low doses. For this, male Wistar rats were exposed to a dose of 0.04 mg/kg/day by for 60 days. After that, the proteome was identified with subsequent overrepresentation analysis (ORA). For the oxidative biochemistry, the antioxidant (ACAP, TEAC, GSH) and pro-oxidants (LPO and nitrite ions) parameters were evaluated. The proteomic analysis showed several altered proteins that participate in biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. There was an increase in total mercury (Hg) levels in the spinal cord, as well as an increase in LPO and nitrite ions and a reduction in ACAP, TEAC and GSH. Therefore, exposure to low doses of MeHg can trigger oxidative stress associated with changes in the proteomic profile.
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