Effect of edetate disodium on goldfish membrane

The effect of edetate disodium on the absorption of secobarbital sodium was examined in goldfish. An inverse relationship was observed between the concentration of edetate disodium to which fish were exposed and the time of death induced by secobarbital sodium. This inverse relationship is postulated to be due to an enhanced absorption of the ionized form of secobarbital in goldfish. There appears to be a period of time after exposure of the fish to the chelating agent in which the enhanced permeability of the membrane is absent in most studies. However, once the enhanced permeability effect is obtained, it is present 24 hr after exposure.