Mobilization of renal and hepatic cadmium by dithiocarbamates in rats

Sodium N-benzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (BGD), sodium N-p-hydroxymethylbenzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (HBGD), sodium N-p-carboxybenzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (CBGD), and sodium N-p-methoxybenzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (MeOBGD) were evaluated for their efficacy in the distribution and excretion of cadmium in rats exposed to cadmium. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with 109CdCl2 (1 mg Cd/kg and 74 kBq of 109Cd/one animal) and 30 min or 24 h later, they were injected with chelating agents (400 mumol/kg). At both 30 min and 24 h after treatment with cadmium, these chelating agents all significantly enhanced the biliary excretion of cadmium. At 24 h after cadmium injection, BGD and MeOBGD were the most effective on the biliary excretion of the metal. These chelating agents were effective in mobilizing cadmium from the liver at 30 min after cadmium treatment. At 24 h after cadmium treatment, BGD and MeOBGD significantly depressed cadmium content in the liver. In another experiment, rats were injected intraperitoneally with 109CdCl2 and 3 d later, they were injected with BGD, HBGD, or MeOBGD every other day for 2 weeks. The fecal excretion of cadmium was significantly increased by these chelating agents and MeOBGD was the most effective. The hepatic and renal cadmium contents were significantly decreased after BGD, HBGD or MeOBGD injection. The injection of MeOBGD to rats pretreated with cadmium was more effective than that of BGD, HBGD, or CBGD in removing cadmium from the liver. HBGD injection was more effective in decreasing the cadmium content in the kidney. The treatment with these chelating agents did not cause the redistribution of cadmium to brain, testes, and heart.