Effect of cadmium chelating agents on organ cadmium and trace element levels in mice†

Abstract

In experiments performed on male mice (CD-1, Charles River), the mobilizing effects of repeated administration of the carbodithioate analogue BLDTC [N-benzyl-4-O-(β-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-glucamine- N-carbodithioate] and CaDTPA (calcium trisodium pentetate) on cadmium deposits in the liver, kidneys, brain and testes were compared. The antidotes were injected alternately every 48 h over a period of 16 d (8 doses in total) following a previous loading with 20 doses of CdCl₂·2.5 H₂O (single doses of 3 mg kg^–1 i.p.). The experiments confirmed BLDTC to be one of the most effective cadmium mobilizing agents. The administration of CaDTPA, which is known as a useful antidote in acute cadmium intoxication, increased the mobilizing effect of BLDTC. Cadmium elevated the concentration of zinc in all organs examined and the level of copper in the liver, kidneys and testes. This accumulation of trace elements was only partially corrected by the chelators. The antidotes administered alone exert only a negligible effect on the trace element levels in the organs.