EFFECTS OF DIETHYLDITHIOCARBAMATE ON ORGAN DISTRIBUTION AND EXCRETION OF CADMIUM

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 12  (6) , 463-470
Abstract
Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) [an antidote for heavy metal poisoning] was evaluated for its efficacy in promoting organ mobilization and excretion of metallothionein-bound Cd using mice which received a single injection of CdCl2.cntdot.2.5 H2O, 0.03 mg per mouse, along with 109CdCl2 3-6 wk earlier. After 7 or 13 i.p. injections of DDTC, 500 mg/kg, over a 2 or 4 wk interval, DDTC was highly effective in mobilizing Cd from kidney (Ki) and spleen (Sp), but less effective in removing it from liver (Li). Treatment with DDTC moderately enhanced Cd levels in lung (Lu), heart (He) and testes (Te), and increased brain (Br) levels to over 500% of control values. Relative accumulation of Cd in organs of control mice were in the order Li > Ki > Sp > Lu > He > Te > Br. The extreme values were Li = 57% and Br = 0.07% of the Cd administered. Even though a major portion of Cd mobilized was from the kidneys, excretion was apparently exclusively by the fecal route.