title: Therapeutic efficiency of succimer used with calcium and ascorbic acid in the treatment of mild lead-poisoning.
abstract: The aim of this study was to explore therapeutic efficiency of succimer used with calcium and ascorbic acid in the treatment of mildly lead-poisoned mice and preschool children. Mice were exposed to lead by drinking water, and then treated with saline solution, 50mg/kg body weight (b.w.) succimer, 100mg/kg b.w. succimer, or 50mg/kg b.w. succimer plus calcium and ascorbic acid by gavage. Seventy-two children aged 48-72 months were randomly assigned into combined treatment or nutritional intervention group. Lead levels in blood and bone were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Activities of aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) in blood were determined by colorimetric method. Results of animal experiment showed that succimer used alone could reduce lead levels in blood and bone and reverse activities of ALAD in blood, however, a better therapeutic efficiency in mobilizing bone lead could be achieved by succimer used with calcium and ascorbic acid. Findings from the clinical study showed that reduction of blood lead levels (BLLs) between the end and initiation of therapy in the combined treatment group was significantly greater than that in the nutritional intervention group. Percentage of children with BLLs less than 10μg/dL at the end of therapy and the eighth week after therapy in the combined treatment group was significantly higher than that in the nutritional intervention group. In conclusion, combined use of succimer with calcium and ascorbic acid seemed to be a choice in the treatment of mildly lead poisoned children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 92 Beier Road, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, Postal code: 110001, PR China. jinyp@mail.cmu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Yaping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yingjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Shaoxia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Meimei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jianhong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003124:Colorimetry; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004113:Succimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D007854:Lead; D004113:Succimer; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D001205:Ascorbic Acid