EVALUATION OF THE PROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF 2,3-DIMERCAPTOPROPANOL AND SODIUM 2,3-DIMERCAPTOPROPANE-1-SULFONATE ON METHYLMERCURY-INDUCED DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY IN MICE

The embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of methylmercury in experiment al animals have been established by several investigators. The protect ive activity of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL) and sodium 2,3-dimercapto propane-1-sulfonate (DMPS, a chelator used in the treatment of inorgan ic and organic mercury) on methylmercury chloride (MMC)-induced matern al and developmental toxicity in mice has been evaluated in the presen t study. BAL and DMPS were administered subcutaneously or by gavage to pregnant mice immediately after a single oral administration of 30 mg MMC/kg given on day 10 of gestation and at 24, 48, and 72 h thereafte r. Amelioration by BAL and DMPS of MMC embryo/fetotoxicity was assesse d at 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg/day and at 90, 180, and 350 mg/kg/day, respe ctively. Treatment with BAL did not ameliorate the maternal toxicity o r the developmental toxicity of MMC observed in the mouse. In contrast , DMPS at 90, 180, and 360 mg/kg/day significantly reduced the materna l lethality of MMC, whereas treatment with 180 and 360 mg DMPS/kg/day showed significant protective activity against MMC-induced embryotoxic ity and teratogenicity. Based on the present findings, DMPS might be a useful chelator against the maternal and developmental toxicity induc ed by methylmercury.