Beryllium-induced toxicity and its prevention by treatment with chelating agents

The efficacy of Tiron and calcium disodium EDTA in the treatment of experim ental beryllium intoxication was investigated in rats, Beryllium nitrate wa s administered intramuscularly (50 mg kg(-1)) once only, provoking duration -dependent changes, Maximum changes were recorded after a 7-day regimen, Co nsiderable inhibition was recorded in protein and glycogen contents, as wel l as in the activity of alkaline phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase, acid p hosphatase and lipid peroxidation, These parameters were restored considera bly with chelation therapy, but comparatively Tiron offered better protecti on, These findings were further confirmed by atomic adsorption spectrophoto metry, Tiron was found to be significantly more effective than CaNa(2)EDTA in reducing the beryllium concentration in the liver, kidney and lungs, Cop yright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.