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 experimental animals have been established by several investigators. The protective activity of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL) and sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate (DMPS, a chelator used in the treatment of inorganic and organic mercury) on methylmercury chloride (MMC)-induced maternal and developmental toxicity in mice has been evaluated in the present 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 thereafter. Amelioration by BAL and DMPS of MMC embryo/fetotoxicity was assessed at 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg/day and at 90, 180, and 350 mg/kg/day, respectively. Treatment with BAL did not ameliorate the maternal toxicity or the developmental toxicity of MMC observed in the mouse. In contrast, DMPS at 90, 180, and 360 mg/kg/day significantly reduced the maternal lethality of MMC, whereas treatment with 180 and 360 mg DMPS/kg/day showed significant protective activity against MMC-induced embryotoxicity and teratogenicity. Based on the present findings, DMPS might be a useful chelator against the maternal and developmental toxicity induced by methylmercury.
Gomez
M
M
Laboratory of Toxicology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Rovira i Virgili University, Reus, Spain.
Sanchez
D J
DJ
Colomina
M T
MT
Domingo
J L
JL
Corbella
J
J
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D004112:Dimercaprol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D014494:Unithiol / Q000494:pharmacology*
D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D004112:Dimercaprol; D014494:Unithiol; C004925:methylmercuric chloride