Lesions resembling vitamin B complex deficiency and urinary loss of zinc produced by ethylenediamine tetra-acetate

Abstract

Intravenous EDTA had a cholesterolytic effect in a hypercholesterolemic nephrotic patient. Peculiar mucocutaneous lesions resembling acute avitaminosis B occurred in this patient and in another following EDTA injections. There was a sixfold increase in the renal loss of zinc during EDTA administration as well as smaller increases in urinary iron and manganese. There was no comparable effect on copper excretion or on that of nine other trace metals.