Influence of chelating agents on the toxicity and distribution of beryllium in rats

The effect of two new chelating agents-Tiron (4,5-dihydroxy-1,3-benzene disulphonic acid disodium salt) and succinic acid--on the mobilization of beryllium was studied. Animals were exposed to beryllium nitrate (1 mg kg(-1) i.p.) daily for 21 days. Administration of beryllium nitrate showed a marked decrease in haemoglobin percentage, blood sugar, serum alkaline phosphatase and serum protein and a significant increase in the activity of transaminases. Tissue protein and glycogen contents and the activity of alkaline phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase showed significantly decreased values, but beryllium nitrate provoked a considerable increase in the activity of acid phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase in the vital and reproductive organs. Significant improvement in the haematological and biochemical parameters was observed with Tiron but no therapeutic effect was seen with succinic acid. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) also showed a decreased level of beryllium concentration in the liver and kidney after Tiron therapy.