Chelation of lead during co-exposure to ethanol

Efficacy of calcium disodium EDTA, D-penicillamine (DPA), 2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), and alpha-mercapto-beta-(2-furyl) acrylic acid (MFA) to reduce the body burden of lead and restore the altered biochemical variables in lead or lead + ethanol administered rats was investigated. The investigation was aimed to suggest suitable prophylaxis of lead intoxication prevalent among workers co-exposed to lead and alcohol ingestion. Administration of lead (10 mg/kg, oral, once daily for 8 weeks) produced a significant inhibition in the activity of blood delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), elevation in the blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and urinary elimination of lead and delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Lead contents of blood, liver, kidney and brain were also significantly higher than the normal control. The above changes were more marked in animals co-exposed to lead + ethanol (20% in drinking water) compared to lead alone. All the chelators were effective in increasing the urinary lead elimination, reducing the above biochemical alterations and lead contents of tissues. The order of effectiveness being DMSA greater than Calcium disodium EDTA greater than DPA greater than MFA. However, the protection was more noticeable in animals treated with lead alone than with lead and ethanol.