Treatment of experimental acute uranium poisoning by chelating agents

Sixteen chelating agents were examined to determine their relative efficacy as antidotes in acute uranyl acetate intoxication in mice after subcutaneous administration. Chelators were administered intraperitoneally to male Swiss mice at a dose equal to one-fourth of their respective LD50 and the therapeutic effectiveness was calculated. Eight compounds resulted in a significant enhancement of the survival rate: Tiron, gallic acid, DTPA, p-aminosalicylic acid, sodium citrate, EDTA, 5-aminosalicylic acid and EGTA. Therapeutic indices (TI) were then determined for these chelating agents. Tiron (TI: 158), gallic acid (TI: 116) and DTPA (TI: 44.9) were the most effective antidotes. In subsequent experiments, uranyl acetate dihydrate was administered subcutaneously (10 mg/kg) in a 24 hr excretion and distribution study. The previous eight chelators were given intraperitoneally ten min. after the uranium administration. 5-Aminosalicylic acid and tiron were consistently the most effective in increasing the urinary and faecal excretion of uranium respectively. A decrease of the uranium concentration in kidneys and bone was also noted with tiron. Tiron appears to be the most effective agent of those tested in the prevention of acute uranium intoxication.