EFFECTS OF MESO-2,3-DIMERCAPTOSUCCINIC ACID OR 2,3-DIMERCAPTOPROPANE 1-SULFONATE ON BERYLLIUM-INDUCED BIOCHEMICAL-ALTERATIONS AND METAL CONCENTRATION IN MALE-RATS

The effects of two chelating agents, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and 2,3-dimercaptopropane 1-sulfonate (DMPS) on the mobilization, distribution, hepatic and hematopoietic toxicity of beryllium were compared in male rats exposed to beryllium. Animals were exposed to beryllium nitrate (0.5 mg/kg, orally, daily 5 days/week) for 21 days. Twenty-four hours after the last dose they were injected with a chelating agent (DMSA or DMPS) (25 or 50 mg/kg, twice daily for 5 days). The administration of DMSA and DMPS at a dose of 50 mg/kg marginally elevated the fecal excretion of beryllium. DMPS was effective in depleting beryllium from the liver, spleen and kidneys. However, DMPS (50 mg/kg) results in the redistribution of beryllium to blood. Beryllium-induced inhibition of hepatic alkaline phosphatase and hepatic adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) were restored considerably with the chelating agents. Also, hepatic and renal histopathological lesions were less marked in rats treated with DMPS (50 mg/kg) compared with those treated with beryllium per se and DMSA. These effects were more prominent at the 50-mg/kg dose of chelating agents than at 25 mg/kg. These results suggest that treatment with DMPS has some beneficial effects in experimental beryllium intoxication.