STUDIES ON STRUCTURE DIURETIC ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS OF MERCURY 1

Abstract

Twelve organic compounds of Hg and HgCl2 were studied with respect to diuretic properties, effects on renal function, regression of plasma concentration, tissue distribution and rate of excretion in some 50 acute experiments on anesthetized dogs. Each compound was given intravenously in doses of 1, 2 and 4 mg of Hg/kg of body weight. Six of the 13 compounds were diuretics; 7 were not. No characteristic differences in the variables measured were noted among the several compounds, to which diuretic activity might be ascribed. Rather structural configuration was deemed more significant. Within the limited series of compounds studied, diuretic activity was associated with (a) a chain of not less than 3 carbon atoms, (b) an atom of Hg attached to the terminal carbon of this chain and (c) some hydrophilic group not less than 3 carbons distant from the Hg. Probably other structures are compatible with diuretic activity; however, many are not.