EXPERIMENTAL LEAD-INTOXICATION IN DOGS - COMPARISON OF BLOOD LEAD AND URINARY DELTA-AMINOLEVULINIC-ACID FOLLOWING INTOXICATION AND CHELATION THERAPY

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (2) , 205-213
Abstract
I.v. Pb administration to dogs produced an acute syndrome of Pb intoxication characterized by depression, vomiting, anorexia and weight loss. The effect of chelation therapy with calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate, penicillamine or both was determined by serially monitoring changes in blood Pb and urine .delta.-aminolevulinic acid. Following therapy, blood Pb values were significantly lower in chelated dogs than nontreated Pb exposed dogs on days 7 and 10. Urine .delta.-aminolevulinic acid at day 7 was significantly higher in untreated Pb exposed dogs than in other groups. There was no significant difference in blood Pb or urine .delta.-aminolevulinic acid between Pb intoxicated dogs which underwent the indicated chelation therapy protocols. There was, however, a trend for higher urinary .delta.-aminolevulinic acid excretion in those intoxicated dogs undergoing calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate therapy as opposed to those undergoing penicillamine therapy. There was no significant correlation between blood Pb and urinary .delta.-aminolevulinic acid previous to Pb exposure. However, after Pb exposure significant correlation was present at days 4, 7, 10 and 14. Certain Pb exposed dogs following chelation therapy were noted to have normal blood Pb levels but elevated urinary .delta.-aminolevulinic acid suggesting that blood Pb does not always correlate with metabolic effects of Pb in the body. Urinary .delta.-aminolevulinic acid was recommended as an additional laboratory parameter which improved assessment of Pb exposure in dogs, particularly in determining adequacy of chelation therapy.