Chelation of cadmium with BAL and DTPA in rats

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Abstract
Cd is unique among nonessential metals in several of its toxicological effects because of its long biological half life, slow excretion and delayed action on the kidneys. Although Cd poisoning in humans is uncommon, there are reports of chronic Cd poisoning in workmen and also in others in certain polluted areas. At present, there are no suitable methods either to measure the body burden of Cd or to treat Cd poisoning. The therapeutic effects of various chelating agents including 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL) and its soluble glycosides have been studied without much success in acute Cd intoxication. Those studies were done before anything was known of the specific binding of Cd to metallothionein, an intracellular low MW protein. The potential role of this protein in the detoxification and toxicity of metals has been reviewed recently. The induced synthesis of metallothionein has a marked effect on the pharmacokinetics of Cd and other divalent metals. It is important to consider the intracellular binding of Cd with metallothionein in developing a suitable chelation therapy for chronic exposure to Cd. The in vivo chelation of Cd with BAL or BAL and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) from rats exposed to Cd is reported here.