The efficacy of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL) in the therapy of poisoning by compounds of antimony, bismuth, chromium, mercury and nickel
Braun, HA; Lusky, LM; Calvery, HO
The therapeutic effects of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (59529) (BAL) against heavy metal poisoning were investigated in rabbits. A single dose of a mixture of bismuth (7440699) (Bi), antimony (7440360) (Sb), nickel (7440020) (Ni), chromium (7440473) (Cr), mercury (7439976) (Hg), thallium (7440280) (Tl), and selenium (7782492) (Se) was injected intramuscularly (im) into the gluteal muscles of the right leg in control animals. A similar injection was given to animals also receiving 30 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) BAL 1 hour after metal compound and doses of 15mg/kg BAL at 6, 24, and 48 hours later. Dosage mortality curves were constructed. For Sb, the administration of BAL reduced lethality by 50 percent and was effective against inorganic salts, and organic trivalent and pentavalent compounds. For Bi, the median lethal dose (LD50) was increased from 55 to 85mg/kg. The kidneys of treated animals were essentially normal, compared to those of untreated rabbits, which were severely damaged. For Cr, the fatal dose was 150 percent greater in BAL treated rabbits than in untreated animals. The tolerance of rabbits treated with BAL was more than 90 percent greater than untreated animals receiving Ni. The LD50 for Hg was 11.75mg/kg in BAL treated rabbits, compared with 7.3mg/kg in controls. Treatment with BAL was ineffective against Pb, Tl, and Se, and was additive with Pb and Se. The authors conclude that BAL is an effective antidote for acute poisoning by Sb, Bi, Cr, Ni, and Hg; the tolerance of rabbits to lethal doses increased by at least 50 percent.