Sjs. Flora et al., THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF MESO 2,3-DIMERCAPTOSUCCINIC ACID OR 2,3-DIMERCAPTOPROPANE 1-SULFONATE IN CHRONIC ARSENIC INTOXICATION IN RATS, BioMetals, 8(2), 1995, pp. 111-116
The therapeutic efficacy of two thiol chelators, meso 2,3-dimercaptosu
ccinic acid (DMSA) or 2,3-dimercaptopropane sulfonate (DMPS) in treati
ng chronic arsenic intoxication was investigated in male rats, Both th
e chelators were effective in promoting urinary arsenic excretion and
restoring arsenic induced inhibition of blood delta-aminolevulinic aci
d dehydratase activity and hepatic glutathione level, Elevation of uri
nary delta-aminolevulinic acid excretion and arsenic concentration in
blood, liver and kidneys were reduced significantly by both the chelat
ors. Histopathological lesions induced by arsenic were also effectivel
y reduced by the above chelators, DMSA being more effective than DMBS,
The results suggest DMSA and DMPS to be effective antidotes for treat
ing chronic arsenic toxicity in experimental animals.