Diethyldithiocarbamate increases distribution of cadmium to brain but prevents cadmium-induced neurotoxicity.
Dithiocarbamates exhibit potent metal-binding properties which have been exploited in a variety of applications, one of which is chelation therapy for heavy metal toxicity. Such therapy, however, promotes the accumulation of metals in the brain, a side effect which may result in neurotoxicity. To examine this possibility we used morphological and biochemical indices to assess the effects of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) on cadmium-induced neurotoxicity in the newborn rat. Co-administration of DDC prevented the neurotoxic effects of cadmium while causing a persistent increase in the distribution of cadmium to brain.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002105:Cadmium Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects; D004050:Ditiocarb / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D013859:Thiocarbamates / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013859:Thiocarbamates; D002104:Cadmium; D004050:Ditiocarb