Recovery from lead induced biochemical and immunological alterations following combined treatment with DMSA and calcium disodium EDTA in rats

Abstract

The therapeutic potential of meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and calcium disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (CaNa 2EDTA) alone or in combination in reducing levels of lead in blood and other soft organs and reversing lead induced biochemical and immunological alterations were investigated after chronic low level lead exposure. Lead exposure produced a significant adverse effect on few selected haematopoietic, nervous, testicular and immunological variables. Conventional 5-day treatment with both DMSA and CaNa 2EDTA individually was effective in inducing elimination of lead but the recovery of the altered biochemical and clinical indices was moderate. When given in combination for 5 days, (DMSA was administered orally twice daily before intraperitoneal CaNa 2EDTA administration) they were more effective in depleting body lead burden and providing recoveries in the altered biochemical parameters. Along with the rapid removal of lead from body stores after combined treatment, the immunological variables also recovered spontaneously. However, the altered CNS disorders remained practically unchanged following 5 days of chelation therapy. Lead induced testicular alterations also showed some recoveries after combined treatment. The results indicate that combined DMSA and CaNa 2EDTA treatment could be more beneficial than individual treatment with any of these agents.