Metal binding by pharmaceuticals. Part 1. Copper(II) and zinc(II) interactions following ethambutol administration

Formation constants for copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of dextro-2,2'-(ethylenediimino)-di-1-butanol (ethambutol) and its metabolic oxidation product, 2,2'-(ethylenediimino)-dibutyric acid (EDBA) have been measured potentiometrically at 37 degrees C, I = 0.15 mol dm-3 [NaCl]. The constants are used in computer models to assess the extent of the formation of these complexes in vivo. These simulations indicate that whereas ethambutol forms metal complexes only to a limited extent in vivo, EDBA competes effectively under physiological conditions for copper(II) and zinc(II). This study suggests that zinc(II) binding by EDBA may account for a number of side effects of ethambutol treatment.