title: The influence of chelating agents on the distribution and biotransformation of methylmercuric chloride in rats.
abstract: Male albino rats were injected i.p. with [203Hg]methylmercuric chloride (MMC) and later at different time intervals they received N-acetylpenicillamine, 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate or dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). The animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last chelant treatment and the content of 203Hg was determined in 10 organs. In liver and kidneys, [203Hg]MMC and 203Hg++ were measured separately. DMSA was most effective in removing the mercurial from all organs, except the kidneys, where 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate was better. N-acetylpenicillamine showed only marginal effectiveness. Separate determinations of [203Hg]MMC and 203Hg++ in liver and kidneys showed that DMSA removed more of the organic and 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate more of the inorganic Hg. DMSA injected i.p. or given p.o. removed almost equal amounts of MMC, indicating virtually 100% absorption of the chelating agent from the gastrointestinal tract.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation / Q000187:drug effects; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D004113:Succimer / Q000494:pharmacology; D014018:Tissue Distribution / Q000187:drug effects; D014494:Unithiol / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D014494:Unithiol; C010005:N-acetylpenicillamine; D004113:Succimer; D010396:Penicillamine; C004925:methylmercuric chloride