Comparative effects of disulfiram and diethyldithiocarbamate on cadmium distribution in mice

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Res. Commun. Chem. Pathol. Pharmacol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5714363

Gale, G R; Smith, A B; Atkins, L M

It has been reported that disulfiram (DSF) and diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) have similar actions on cadmium (Cd) distribution in maternal and fetal organs when given to pregnant mice prior to and again immediately after iv administration of Cd. We have now examined Cd distribution in mice in which virtually all of the Cd was bound to metallothionein (MT) in an attempt to simulate more closely the condition of low level, chronic Cd exposure. When DSF was incorporated into food and ingested by mice over a 4-hr period on each of four days, hepatic and pulmonary Cd levels were reduced significantly. When given ip at 500 mg/kg, DDTC lowered hepatic, renal, splenic, and pancreatic Cd levels, but increased Cd concentrations in brain, testes, heart, and lungs. When DSF was given at 500 mg/kg ip, it lowered hepatic, splenic, testicular, and pancreatic Cd levels, but increased Cd concentrations in heart and brain. In contrast to DDTC, DSF had no effect on pulmonary or renal Cd. When given as a bolus dose po for five days at 1.0 mmole/kg, DDTC lowered renal, splenic, testicular, and pancreatic Cd levels, but increased Cd concentrations in brain and heart. There was no effect on hepatic or pulmonary Cd. When given at the same dose po, DSF did not alter the Cd concentration of any organ assessed. We suggest that studies of interactions of various xenobiotics with Cd in vivo should be done with an animal model which simulates chronic Cd exposure rather than acute Cd intoxication.

• Research Organization: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Charleston, SC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5714363
• Journal Information: Res. Commun. Chem. Pathol. Pharmacol.; (United States), Journal Name: Res. Commun. Chem. Pathol. Pharmacol.; (United States) Vol. 63:3; ISSN RCOCB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CADMIUM
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
MAMMALS
METABOLISM
METALLOPROTEINS
METALLOTHIONEIN
METALS
MICE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROTEINS
RODENTS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
VERTEBRATES
XENOBIOTICS