EFFECT OF TWO CHELATING AGENTS ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND EXCRETION OF LEAD

¹ Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota

The effects of EDTA and BAL on the amount and concentration of lead in selected organs and tissues of rats, and in the total carcasses were studied. Variations in duration and intensity of treatment were evaluated. It was demonstrated that the mobilization of lead from some organs and tissues, notably the kidney and liver, was materially influenced by both the intensity and duration of the chelation process. Within the limits of doses used in this study, the removal of lead from brain was more dependent on the intensity than on the duration of exposure to EDTA. The mobilization of lead from muscle was greater using a low rate of infusion of EDTA than using one ten times as great. Treatment with EDTA 1 day following the administration of lead enhanced lead mobilization to a lesser degree than did treatment instituted 4 days following the administration of lead. BAL was less effective than EDTA at equimolar doses with respect to removal from specific nonosseous organs and tissues. BAL was more effective than EDTA in mobilizing lead from the body. This was accounted for by superior removal from either bone or the marrow therefrom.

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