Chelation in metal intoxication.

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Flora SJ, Pachauri V

Chelation in metal intoxication.

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2010 Jul;7(7):2745-88. doi: 10.3390/ijerph7072745. Epub 2010 Jun 28.

PubMed ID

20717537 [ View in PubMed

]

Abstract

Chelation therapy is the preferred medical treatment for reducing the toxic effects of metals. Chelating agents are capable of binding to toxic metal ions to form complex structures which are easily excreted from the body removing them from intracellular or extracellular spaces. 2,3-Dimercaprol has long been the mainstay of chelation therapy for lead or arsenic poisoning, however its serious side effects have led researchers to develop less toxic analogues. Hydrophilic chelators like meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid effectively promote renal metal excretion, but their ability to access intracellular metals is weak. Newer strategies to address these drawbacks like combination therapy (use of structurally different chelating agents) or co-administration of antioxidants have been reported recently. In this review we provide an update of the existing chelating agents and the various strategies available for the treatment of heavy metals and metalloid intoxications.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs

Dimercaprol

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Dimercaprol	Arsenic	Small molecule	Humans	Yes	Chelator	Details
Dimercaprol	Cadmium	Small molecule	Humans	Yes	Chelator	Details
Dimercaprol	Mercury	Small molecule	Humans	Yes	Chelator	Details

Drug Interactions

Drugs	Interaction
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