Dithiol Chelating Research Articles

The role of thiol-reducing agents on modulation of glutamate binding induced by heavy metals in platelets

In the present study, we investigated if thiol-reducing agents are capable of altering mercury (Hg2+), lead (Pb2+) and cadmium (Cd2+) effects on platelet glutamatergic system. Dimercaprol (BAL), a dithiol chelating agent therapeutically used for the treatment of heavy metals poisoning, was capable of protecting the [3H]-glutamate binding against the effects caused by Pb2+ and Hg2+. 2,3-Dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonic acid (DMPS), another dithiol-reducing chelating agent, was capable of protecting the effect caused by Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+. The similar effect was observed with addition of dithiothreitol (DTT) on [3H]-glutamate binding in human platelets. Dithiol-reducing agents (BAL, DMPS and DTT) alone did not alter [3H]-glutamate binding. In contrast, reduced glutathione (GSH), a monothiol-reducing agent, caused a significant inhibition on [3H]-glutamate binding at all concentrations tested. GSH did not modify heavy metal effects on [3H]-glutamate binding in platelets. The findings of the present investigation indicate that dithiol-reducing agents are capable of altering Hg2+, Pb2+ and Cd2+ effects on platelet glutamatergic system. In vitro data on chelating-metal interactions provide only an estimated guide to the treatment of heavy metal poisoning. Consequently, more studies in intoxicated patients are necessary to determine the precise use of the peripheral models and chelating agents.

Cadmium inhibits δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase from rat lung in vitro: Interaction with chelating and antioxidant agents

The effect of cadmium (Cd(2+)) on delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (delta-ALA-D) activity from rat lung in vitro was investigated. delta-ALA-D activity, a parameter for metal intoxication, has been reported as a target of Cd(2+) in different tissues. The protective effect of monotherapies with dithiol chelating (meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonic acid (DMPS)) or antioxidant agents (ascorbic acid, diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)(2), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC)) was evaluated. The effect of a combined therapy (dithiol chelatingxantioxidant agent) was also studied. Zinc chloride (ZnCl(2)) and dithiothreitol (DTT) were used to investigate the mechanisms involved in cadmium, chelating and antioxidant effects on delta-ALA-D activity. Cadmium inhibited rat lung delta-ALA-D activity at low concentrations. DTT (3mM), but not ZnCl(2) (100microM), protected the inhibition of enzyme activity caused by Cd(2+). Chelating agents were not effective in restoring the enzyme activity. DMPS and DMSA presented inhibitory effect on enzyme activity. DTT restored the inhibition caused by both chelating agents, but ZnCl(2) restored only the inhibitory effect induced by DMSA. These compounds caused a marked potentiation of delta-ALA-D inhibition induced by Cd(2+). ZnCl(2) did not restore inhibition of enzyme activity caused by Cd(2+) plus chelating agents. Conversely, DTT restored the inhibition induced by Cd(2+)/DMSA, but not by Cd(2+)/DMPS. Antioxidants were not effective in ameliorating delta-ALA-D inhibition induced by Cd(2+), whereas ascorbic acid potentiated the enzyme inhibition induced by this metal. A combined effect of Cd(2+)xDMPSx(PhSe)(2) and Cd(2+)xDMPSxNAC was observed. There was no combined effect of Cd(2+)xchelatorxantioxidants when DMSA was used. This study demonstrated that Cd(2+)inhibited delta-ALA-D activity and chelating and antioxidant agents, alone or combined, did not restore the enzyme activity. In contrast, these compounds potentiated the inhibition induced by Cd(2+) in rat lung.

Agentes quelantes sulfidrílicos: uma revisão

The increase industrial use of metais such as berilium, cadmium, copper, lead, magnesium and nickel results inevitably on a more contaminated environment. For this reason, environmental chronic poisonings with these metais have not been unusual and is a serious human health concern. Chelation therapy has been the basis for the medical treatment of metal poisoning for the past 4 decades. Chelating agents have been used clinically as antidotes for acute and chronic metal intoxications. These compounds enhance the excretion of toxic elements such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, or mercury, which are also well-known developmental toxicants. Moreover, they also decrease the metal's toxicity by preventing it from binding to cellular target molecules. However, there are many questions concerning the use of these compounds, including a wide range of overt and hidden undesirable side effects caused by these therapeutic dithiol chelating agents. The aspects pointed out above clearly indicate that more detailed experimental and clinical experiments are required to better establish the toxicological properties of BAL, DMPS and DMSA.

2,3-Dimercaptopropanol, 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonic acid, and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid inhibit δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase from human erythrocytes in vitro

The effects of dithiol chelating agents meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonic acid (DMPS), and 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL) on δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase ( δ-ALA-D) from human erythrocytes were evaluated. Furthermore, possible protective effects of zinc chloride (ZnCl 2), dithiothreitol (DTT), and cysteine were studied. δ-ALA-D activity from human erythrocytes was inhibited by dithiol chelating agents in a concentration-dependent manner. Cysteine, at all concentrations tested, did not protect the inhibitory effect of 1 and 4 mM DMPS and DMSA, but protected 1 mM BAL inhibition. Dithiotreitol was able to protect the inhibition caused by 1 mM BAL (28%), DMPS (56%), and DMSA (40%) in a concentration-dependent manner. Zinc chloride protected and restored 1 mM BAL inhibitory effect on δ-ALA-D. Zinc chloride at 500 μM and 1 mM, respectively, protected inhibitory effects of DMPS and DMSA (1 and 4 mM), but did not reverse its effects. The preincubation of dithiol chelating agents with enzyme demonstrated that DMSA was the most potent δ-ALA-D inhibitor of human erythrocytes. These data are in agreement with δ-ALA-D activity from purified enzyme. ZnCl 2 (1 μM) added, in the reaction mixture, increased enzyme activity and DTT (100 μM) totally restored the enzyme activity for all chelating agents tested.

Synthesis and characterization of dimetallic oxorhenium(V) and dioxorhenium(VII) compounds, and a study of stoichiometric and catalytic reactions.

Chelating dithiolate ligands--e.g., mtp from 2-(mercaptomethyl)thiophenol, edt from 1,2-ethanedithiol, and pdt from 1,3-propanedithiol--stabilize high-valent oxorhenium(V) against hydrolytic and oxidative decomposition. In addition to the dithiolate chelating to a single rhenium, one sulfur forms a coordinate bond to the other rhenium. In one arrangement this gives a dimer with a nearly planar diamond core with different internal Re-S distances. The new compounds are [MeReO(edt)](2) (2) and [MeReO(pdt)](2) (3), which can be compared to the previously known [MeReO(mtp)](2) (1). Another mode of synthesis leads to [ReO](2)(mtp)(3) (5) and [ReO](2)(edt)(3) (6). They, too, have similar Re(2)S(2) cores that involve donor atoms from two of the dithiolate ligands; the third dithiolate chelates one of the rhenium atoms. Gentle hydrolysis of 1 affords [Bu(n)4][[MeReO(mtp)](2)(mu-OH)] (7) in low yield. It appears to be the first example of this structural type for rhenium. The use of dithioerythritol as a starting material allowed the synthesis of a dioxorhenium(VII) compound, [MeReO(2)](2)(dte) (8). Its importance lies in understanding the role such compounds are believed to play as intermediates in oxygen atom catalysis. Ligation of the dimers 1-3 converts them into monomeric compounds, MeReO(dithiolate)L. These reactions go essentially to completion for L = PPh(3), but reach an equilibrium for L = NC(5)H(4)R. With R = 4-Ph, the values of K/10(3) L mol(-1) for the reactions (1-3) + 2L = 2MeReO(dithiolate)L are identical within 3 sigma: 1.15(3) (1), 1.24(4) (2), and 1.03(16) (3). The rates of monomer formation follow the rate law -d ln [dimer]/dt = k(a)[L] + k(b)[L](2). These trends were found: (1) phosphines are slow to react compared to pyridines, (2) the edt dimer 2 reacts much more rapidly than 1 and 3. Dimer 1 and MeReO(mtp)PPh(3) both catalyze oxygen atom transfer: PicO + PPh(3) --> Pic + Ph(3)PO. Compound 1 is ca. 90 times more reactive, which can be attributed to its lability toward small ligands as opposed to the low rate of displacement of PPh(3) from the mononuclear catalyst. The kinetics of this reaction follows the rate law -d[PicO]/dt = k[PicO][1]/[1 + kappa[PPh(3)]], with k = 5.8 x 10(6) L mol(-1) s(-1) and kappa = 3.5 x 10(2) L mol(-1) at 23 degrees C in benzene. A mechanism has been proposed to account for these findings.

Effect of Sodium 2,3-Dimercaptopropane-1-Sulphonate (DMPS) on Chronic Daunorubicin Toxicity in Rabbits: Comparison with Dexrazoxane

A possible protective action of DMPS (a dithiol chelating agent) against chronic daunorubicin toxicity in rabbits in comparison with dexrazoxane was investigated. The rabbits were divided into five groups: control (saline, 1 ml/kg i.v.), daunorubicin (3 mg/kg i.v.), DMPS (50 mg/kg i.v.); the remaining two groups were pre-treated either with dexrazoxane (60 mg/kg i.p.) or DMPS (50 mg/kg i.v.) 30 min before administration of daunorubicin (3 mg/kg i.v.). Drugs were given once a week for 10 weeks. Routine biochemical parameters were determined in weeks 1, 5 and 11. In the 11th week, invasive haemodynamic parameters were measured, then the rabbits underwent autopsy, cardiac tissue was examined by light microscopy and scored semiquantitatively. The contents of calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and selenium were measured in the left heart ventricle. DMPS administered alone was well tolerated and did not cause any major signs of toxicity. It decreased the cardiac content of calcium, but did not affect the iron concentration. In contrast to dexrazoxane, DMPS pre-treatment did not prevent the decline in body weight in weeks 8-11 caused by daunorubicin, actually worsened mortality (26.7% vs 40.0%), did not ameliorate daunorubicin-induced nephrotic syndrome, and did not prevent the occurrence of the severe myocardial lesions. Unlike dexrazoxane, a lack of protective effect of DMPS against chronic daunorubicin toxicity in rabbits was demonstrated. The underlying cause may consist in the fact that DMPS does not efficiently chelate tissue iron and thus may not prevent the formation of oxygen free radicals.

Effect of dithiol chelating agents on [3H]MK-801 and [3H]glutamate binding to synaptic plasma membranes.

2,3-Dimercaptopropanol (BAL- British Anti-Lewesite) is a dithiol chelating agent used for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning, however, BAL can produce neurotoxic effects in a variety of situations. Based on the low therapeutic efficiency of BAL other dithiols were developed and DMSA (meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) and DMPS (2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonic acid) are becoming used for treatments of humans exposed to heavy metals. In the present investigation the effect of dithiols in the glutamatergic system was examined. The results showed that BAL inhibited [3H]MK-801 and [3H]glutamate binding in a concentration-dependent manner. At 100 microM BAL and DMSA caused a significantly inhibition of [3H]MK-801 binding to brain membranes (p < 0.05 by Duncan's multiple range test). BAL at 100 microM caused an inhibition of 40% on [3H]glutamate binding. DMPS and DMSA had no significant effect on [3H]glutamate binding. Dithiotreitol (DTT), abolished the inhibitory effect of BAL on [3H]MK-801 binding. The protection exerted by DTT suggests that BAL inhibit [3H]MK-801 binding by interacting with cysteinyl residues that are important for redox modulation of receptor responses. ZnCl2 inhibited [3H]glutamate and [3H]MK-801 binding to brain synaptic membrane; nevertheless, the inhibitory effect was slight more accentuated for [3H]MK-801 than [3H]glutamate binding (p < 0.05). The inhibition caused by 10 microM ZnCl2 on [3H]MK-801 binding was attenuated by BAL. The findings present in this study may provide the evidence that BAL affect the glutamatergic system and these effects can contributed to explain, at least in part, why BAL, in contrast to DMPS and DMSA is neurotoxic.

Investigations into the mechanism of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol neurotoxicity.

2,3 dimercaptopropanol (BAL), is a dithiol chelating agent, used for the treatment of heavy metal intoxication; however, this compound has low therapeutic efficacy and in some situations may cause neurotoxic effects. In experimental models, administration of high doses of BAL produces seizures that culminate in animal death. However, investigations on the modulation of neurotransmitter system(s) involved in BAL-induced seizures are still lacking in the literature. In the present study, the neurotoxicity of BAL, as measured by the manifestation of seizures was examined and the modulation of glutamatergic and GABAergic receptors and ion channels potentially involved in BAL-induced seizures was investigated. The results demonstrated that BAL (18.6 mg/kg) induced seizures and all mice died within one day. GABAergic allosteric modulators (3 or 12 mg/kg diazepam and 50 mg/kg phenobarbital) blocked the appearance of seizure and reduced almost completely the death caused by BAL. Carbamazepine (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced the incidence of BAL-induced seizures, while sodium valproate and MK-801 were not effective in reducing the incidence of seizures. Valproate (300 mg/kg) and MK-801(0.5 mg/kg) prolonged the latencies for onset of seizures; however, all animals died within one day after BAL administration. High doses of ZnCl2 (135 mg/kg) blocked the appearance of seizures episodes, but no animal survived more than one day. The content of total non-protein -SH in brain of mice treated with 18.6 and 124 mg/kg BAL increased from 0.9+/-0.3 nmol/g (control animals) to 1.7+/-0.3 and 3.5+/-0.8 nmol/g, respectively. In vitro, 0.1-1 mM concentrations of BAL inhibited [3H]glutamate and [3H]MK-801 binding, but increased the binding of [3H]muscimol to brain synaptic plasma membrane. The results reported here demonstrate that GABAergic allosteric modulators (diazepam and phenobarbital) and carbamazepine, a compound that acts by prolonging the recovery of voltage-activated ion channels from inactivation, are able to abolish BAL-induced seizures, while the NMDA antagonist (MK-801) prolonged the latencies for onset of seizures suggesting that modulators of this subtype of glutamate receptor have a modest role on BAL-induced seizures. The results of the present study suggest that allosteric modulators of GABAergic system and carbamazepine, a voltage-gated Na+-channel antagonist, should be considered for the treatment of animals or patients intoxicated with BAL.

Synthesis of pentadentate mixed [formula omitted] dithiolate chelating ligands derived from heterocycles and 2-mercaptoethylamines

Condensation of 2,6-pyridinedialdehyde with 2-mercaptoethylamines or 2-alkylthioethylamines yielded 2,6-bis(substituted-2-thiazolidinyl)pyridine or 2,6-bis-((2-alkyl-thio)ethylimino)methylpyridine. The thiazolidines can be reductively opened to give 2,6-bis-((substituted-2-thioethyl)aminomethyl)pyridines. Alternatively, the latter may be synthesized by reductive amination of 2,6-pyridinedialdehyde with 2-mercaptoethylamines. Reaction of 2,5-thiophenedicarbonyl chloride with 2-mercaptoethylamines led to N,N′-bis(substituted-2-thioethyl)-2,5-thiophenedicarboxamides. 2,6-Bis-((substituted-2-thioethyl)aminomethyl)pyridines and N,N′-bis(substituted-2-thioethyl)-2,5-thiophenedicarboxamides are novel pentadentate mixed NS dithiolate chelating reagents which can form ferric complexes of biomimetic importance.

Mechanisms of action of 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate and the transport, disposition, and toxicity of inorganic mercury in isolated perfused segments of rabbit proximal tubules.

Mechanisms by which the dithiol chelating agent 2, 3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate (DMPS) significantly alters the renal tubular transport, accumulation, and toxicity of inorganic mercury were studied in isolated perfused pars recta (S2) segments of proximal tubules of rabbits. Addition of 200 microM DMPS to the bath provided complete protection from the toxic effects of 20 microM inorganic mercury in the lumen. The protection was linked to decreased uptake and accumulation of mercury. Additional data indicated that, when DMPS and inorganic mercury were coperfused through the lumen, very little inorganic mercury was taken up from the lumen. We also obtained data indicating that DMPS is transported by the organic anion transport system and that this transport is linked to the therapeutic effects of DMPS. Interestingly, very little inorganic mercury was taken up and no cellular pathological changes were detected when inorganic mercury and DMPS were added to the bath. We also tested the hypothesis that DMPS can extract cellular mercury while being transported from the bath into the luminal compartment. Our findings showed that, when DMPS was applied to the basolateral membranes of S2 segments after they had been exposed to mercuric conjugates of glutathione of the laminal membrane, the tubular content of mercury was greatly reduced and the rates of disappearance of mercury from the lumen changed from positive values to markedly negative values. We conclude that inorganic mercury is extracted from proximal tubular cells by a transport process involving the movement of DMPS from the bathing compartment to the luminal compartment.

Myocardial elements content and cardiac function after repeated i.v. administration of DMPS in rabbits.

1. A dithiol chelating agent--2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulphonate (DMPS)--may be administered in acute or chronic intoxication with certain heavy metals (e.g. cadmium, cobalt, lead) that may cause cardiotoxicity. 2. DMPS can act as a depleter of physiologically important elements (e.g. potassium, magnesium, calcium) in various tissues including cardiac one. The possibility of subsequent alteration in cardiac function cannot be excluded. 3. Changes in the myocardial concentration of the above mentioned elements at the end of the experiment and cardiac function were studied during repeated i.v. administration of DMPS as single doses of 50 mg/kg/ week for 10 weeks in rabbits. Biochemical, haematological and histological examinations were also performed. 4. Most of the measured parameters were not affected by the repeated administration of DMPS. A significant decrease in magnesium and a near significant decrease in calcium in cardiac muscle was not accompanied by functional or morphological changes. It is still suggested, however, that care should be taken in using DMPS for treating patients with cardiotoxicity as a result of poisoning with heavy metals.

Effects of Repeated Administration of Dithiol Chelating Agent - Sodium 2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanesulphonate (DMPS) - On Biochemical and Haematological Parameters in Rabbits

The effects of weekly intravenously administered a dithiol chelating agent-sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane-sulphonate (DMPS)-in a single dose of 50 mg/kg/week for 10 weeks on biochemical and haematological parameters were studied in rabbits. DMPS was well tolerated, an increase in body weight was similar in the DMPS-treated and control animals. DMPS caused significant decrease in plasma calcium and vitamin E concentrations at the end of the experiment. No significant differences in haematological parameters between the DMPS and control groups were observed. A significant decrease in magnesium content in myocardial tissue was observed in the DMPS-treated rabbits. The above-mentioned biochemical changes should be taken into account in studies of possible chelating and radical scavenging effects of DMPS in various pathological conditions.

Evaluation of dithiol chelating agents as potential adjuvants for anti-IL-2 receptor lead or bismuth alpha radioimmunotherapy

The dithiol chelating agents 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) were evaluated for use as potential adjuvants to reduce or prevent radiotoxicity in anti-interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) Lead-212 or Bismuth-212 alpha-radioimmunotherapy. DMPS was less toxic than DMSA to tumor cell lines in culture. No adverse effects on the ability of an anti-IL-2R monoclonal antibody (MAb) to bind to its specific antigen were detected using DMPS or DMSA at concentrations up to 600 ug/mL in 10% or 100% mouse serum. After a 5-day oral administration of chelating agent, neither acute nor chronic toxicities on blood hematology, blood chemistry or organ weights were observed for treated mice. DMPS and DMSA were effective in accelerating whole body clearance of the γ-emitting tracer Bismuth-206. Both chelates significantly reduced femur uptake of tracer when compared to nontreated control mice. However, only DMPS prevented early (2 h postinjection) renal accumulation. These studies support the use of DMPS as a potential adjuvant chelation therapy in Lead-212 or Bismuth-212 radioimmunotherapy protocols.

Synthesis of dithiolate gold(III) complexes by dithiolate transfer reactions. X-ray structure of [Au(C 6F 5)(S 2C 6H 4)(PPh 3)

The reaction of ethanolic solutions of Na 2(SS) {SS &.dbnd; 1,2-S 2C 6H 4 or 3,4-S 2C 6H 3(CH 3)} with [Sn(CH 3) 2Cl 2] or (PPN) 2[ZnCl 4] gives [Sn(CH 3) 2(SS)] and (PPN) 2[Zn(SS) 2], respectively. The tin derivative with 1,3-dithiol-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate (dmit), [Sn(CH 3) 2(dmit)], is obtained by reaction of [Sn(CH 3) 2Cl 2] with (NEt 4) 2[Zn(dmit) 2]. The tin and zinc complexes further react with the gold(III) derivatives cis-[Au(C 6F 5)Cl 2L] giving rise to dithiolate gold(III) complexes [Au(C 6F 5)(SS)L]. The structure of [Au(C 6F 5)(S 2C 6H 4)(PPh 3)] has been established by an X-ray diffraction study, and shows a square-planar coordination of the gold with the dithiolate chelating.

Determination and metabolism of dithiol chelating agents: the zinc chelate of the dimethyl ester of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid increase biliary excretion of cadmium and platinum.

meso-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid is an orally active chelating agent useful for the treatment of lead intoxication. Since it is believed to be extracellular in its distribution, analogs have been synthesized in a search for one that will enter the cell and successfully complete for firmly bound intracellular toxic heavy metals such as cadmium and platinum. The biological properties of the zinc chelate of DiMeDMSA, ([Zn(DiMeDMSA)2]2- with tetramethylammonium or sodium as the counterion, have been investigated in the rat. In short-term (hourly) experiments, [Zn(DiMeDMSA)2]2- increased the biliary excretion of cadmium and platinum. In experiments of longer duration (days), severe renal toxicity was noted even in the absence of any exogenously administered cadmium chloride or cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II). The zinc content of the kidneys of rats receiving Na2[Zn(DiMeDMSA)2]2- was found to be about 10-fold greater than rats receiving saline or meso-dimethyldimercaptosuccinic acid. Although it appears that the source of the zinc is the injected [Zn(DiMeDMSA)2]2-, at this time it is unknown as to whether the toxicity is due to the Zn chelate molecule, per se, or Zn derived from the molecule after its degradative biotransformation.

Stability Constants for Dimercaptosuccinic Acid with Bismuth(III), Zinc(II), and Lead(II)

Abstract Stability constants for the complexation of zinc(II), lead(II), and bismuth(III) by the vicinal dithiolate chelating agent meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) have been determined by a combination of potentiometric titration and spectrophotometric competition at 25°C and 0.1 M ionic strength. The spectrophotometric studies use the shifts in the ultraviolet bands of the thiol groups to quantitate metal binding to DMSA in the presence of competitive aminocarboxylic acids. Bismuth(III) forms a bis(DMSA) chelate with an exceptionally high stability constant of 1043,87. This complex undergoes a series of protonations over the pH range 10 to 2, but there appears to be no measurable dissociation of ligand over this pH range. The zinc-DMSA system is dominated by a Zn2(DMSA)2 dimer, which has a protonation constant of 106 and dissociates completely at lower pH. No more than 20% of total zinc exists as a monomeric complex at any pH. Lead forms a 1:1 complex with a stability constant of 1017,4. Insoluble pr...

N-(2,3-Dimercaptopropyl)phthalamidic acid (DMPA) increases polonium-210 excretion

Polonium-210 is one of the most hazardous radionuclides. As recently as 1988, there have been concerns regarding accidental exposures of humans to it. Yet, there have been no studies on the effectiveness of the newer dithiol chelating agents in increasing the excretion of this radioactive heavy metal. In order to accomplish this, a safe and effective method for determining the radioactivity of polonium-210, an alpha emitter, in the feces was developed. The excretion of polonium-210 was studied by giving male Sprague-Dawley rats 210Po (3.33 x 10(7) cpm/kg, intraperitoneal); 1 h later they were given either 5% sodium bicarbonate, N-(2,3-dimercaptopropyl)phthalamidic acid (DMPA) or meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) (0.20 mmol/kg, subcutaneous). Treatment was repeated daily for 12 days. DMPA and DMSA increased the urinary excretion of 210Po, as compared to control animals, 8-fold and 5-fold, respectively. DMPA increased the fecal excretion of 210Po compared to the other treatments and also decreased the level of 210Po in the spleen, a radiosensitive organ. DMPA (0.20 mmol/kg, intravenous) increased biliary levels of 210Po 5-fold compared to controls. The results indicate that DMPA has greater specificity in chelating and increasing the excretion of 210Po than DMSA.

Determination and metabolism of dithiol chelating agents: Vli. Biliary excretion of dithiols and their interactions with cadmium and metallothionein

N-(2,3-Dimercaptopropyl) phthalamidic acid (DMPA), meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), and 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) are dithiol chelating agents with antidotal activity for lead, mercury, arsenic, and other heavy metals. The biliary excretion of these compounds was studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. After iv administration of DMPA, 72% of the injected dose was recovered in the bile. Half of the recovered DMPA was in the unaltered form (parent compound) and the other half was in the altered form (parent compound recovered after chemical reduction by DTT). An altered, presumably disulfide, form of DMPS was found in the bile. Neither unaltered nor altered DMSA was detected in the bile. DMPA (0.10 mmol/kg), given to rats 3 days after exposure to Cd, elicited within 30 min a 20-fold increase in biliary Cd excretion. The increase of biliary Cd by DMPA was dose-related and not due to an increase of bile flow rate. DMSA and DMPS did not significantly affect the biliary excretion of Cd. Incubation of DMPA or DMSA with Cd-saturated metallothionein (MT) resulted in the removal of Cd from MT. DMPA was more active than DMSA in this respect. The evidence strongly supports the mechanism that the increase of biliary cadmium following DMPA administration is the result of DMPA entering cells and mobilizing and removing the cadmium from MT. The removal of cadmium from metallothionein by dithiol chelating agents provides another dimension to their mechanisms of action and may provide an important new tool for the study of cadmium as well as metallothionein.

Determination and Metabolism of Dithiol Chelating Agents. VII. Biliary Excretion of Dithiols and Their Interactions with Cadmium and Metallothionein

Determination and Metabolism of Dithiol Chelating Agents. VII. Biliary Excretion of Dithiols and Their Interactions with Cadmium and Metallothionein. ZHENG, W., MAIORINO, R. M., BRENDEL, K., AND APOSHIAN, H. V. (1990). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 14, 598–607. N-(2,3-Di-mercaptopropyl) phthalamidic acid (DMPA), meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), and 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) are dithiol chelating agents with antidotal activity for lead, mercury, arsenic, and other heavy metals. The biliary excretion of these compounds was studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. After iv administration of DM PA, 72% of the injected dose was recovered in the bile. Half of the recovered DMPA was in the unaltered form (parent compound) and the other half was in the altered form (parent compound recovered after chemical reduction by DTT). An altered, presumably disulfide, form of DMPS was found in the bile. Neither unaltered nor altered DMSA was detected in the bile. DMPA (0.10 mmol/kg), given to rats 3 days after exposure to Cd, elicited within 30 min a 20-fold increase in biliary Cd excretion. The increase of biliary Cd by DMPA was dose-related and not due to an increase of bile flow rate. DMSA and DMPS did not significantly affect the biliary excretion of Cd. Incubation of DMPA or DMSA with Cd-saturated metallothionein (MT) resulted in the removal of Cd from MT. DMPA was more active than DMSA in this respect. The evidence strongly supports the mechanism that the increase of biliary cadmium following DMPA administration is the result of DMPA entering cells and mobilizing and removing the cadmium from MT. The removal of cadmium from metallothionein by dithiol chelating agents provides another dimension to their mechanisms of action and may provide an important new tool for the study of cadmium as well as metallothionein.

Newer Developments in Arsenic Toxicity

There have been a number of new and exciting advances in the understanding of arsenic toxicity. Organic trivalent arsenicals have been the drug of choice in the treatment of African trypanosomes, the cause of sleeping sickness. In the past, various mechanisms have been proposed for their mode of action in the treatment of this parasitic disease. It now appears that these arsenicals form an adduct with N1,-N8(glutathionyl)spermidine which inhibits trypanothione disulfide reductase. This enzyme in conjunction with a nonenzymatic reaction is responsible for the maintenance of the required intracellular levels of GSH and perhaps other thiols in African trypanosomes. The primary targets of As3+ in mammalian systems are pyruvate dehydrogenase, thiolase, and glutathione reductase. Even though it appears that pyruvate dehydrogenase is the most sensitive target, the net result of these inhibitions is a decreased gluconeogenesis that should be taken into account when treating arsenic poisoning. Although these advances have been made in the understanding of arsenic toxicity, virtually no progress has been made in understanding the biochemical mechanism of action of arsine, probably the deadliest of all arsenic compounds. This lack of progress is disappointing as well as worrisome since arsine is one of the important starting materials in the newer high tech industries. There have been, however, advances made in the treatment of arsenic toxicity. Meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and 2,3-dimercaptopropane-l-sulfonic acid are orally effective, dithiol chelating agents useful for treating arsenic poisoning. DMSA is an orphan drug for which a New Drug Application has been filed.