Acute toxicity studies of aluminium compounds: antidotal efficacy of several chelating agents

Four aluminum compounds--nitrate, chloride, sulphate and bromide--were administered orally and intraperitoneally to rats and mice. The LD50-values (14 days) were determined. The majority of deaths occurring during the first four days. The clinical and physical signs appearing after intoxication include among other lethargy, decreased locomotor activity, piloerection, weight loss and perorbital bleeding. After 14 days no alterations in liver and renal functions were detected in the animals which received intraperitoneally the LD50-values of aluminum nitrate as a single dose. Aluminum concentrations were highest in liver and spleen. No histopathological lesions could be observed. To compare the efficacies of nine chelating agents on the toxicity of aluminum in mice, the therapeutic index and the therapeutic effectiveness of each chelating agent have been calculated. Malic, succinic, oxalic and malonic acids showed the best results with malic and succinic acids being the most effective. Deferoxamine mesylate (DFOA), sodium salicylate, L-cysteine and citric acid were not so effective as antidotes for acute aluminum toxicity. Aurin tricarboxylic acid (ATCA) should not be used due to its high toxicity.