Therapeutic potential of monoisoamyl and monomethyl esters of meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid in gallium arsenide intoxicated rats.

The dose dependent effects of monoisoamyl and monomethyl esters of meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) (0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mmol kg(-1), intraperitoneally (i.p.) once daily for 5 days) to offset the characteristic biochemical, immunological, oxidative stress consequences and DNA damage (based on DNA fragmentation and comet assay) following sub-chronic administration of gallium arsenide and the mobilization of gallium and arsenic were examined. The effects of these chelators alone in normal animals too were examined on above-mentioned variables. Male Wistar rats were exposed to 10 mg kg(-1), GaAs, orally once daily for 12 weeks and were administered DMSA or two of its monoesters (monoisoamyl or monomethyl) for 5 consecutive days. DMSA was used as a positive control. DMSA and its derivatives, when given alone, generally have no adverse effects on various parameters. After 5 days of chelation therapy in GaAs pre-exposed rats, MiADMSA was most effective in the reduction of inhibited blood delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity and zinc protoporphyrin level while, all three chelators effectively reduced urinary ALA excretion, compared to GaAs alone exposed rats. MiADMSA was also effective, particularly at a dose of 0.3 mmol kg(-1), in enhancing the inhibited hepatic transaminase activities. Parameters indicative of oxidative stress responded less favorably to the chelation therapy, however, three chelators significantly restored the altered immunological variables. MiADMSA was relatively more effective than the other two chelators. GaAs produced significant DNA damage in the liver and kidneys and the chelation treatment had moderate but significant influence in reducing DNA damage. All three chelators significantly reduced arsenic concentration and, however, MiADMSA was more effective than the other two chelators in depleting arsenic concentration from blood and other soft tissues. A dose of 0.3 mmol kg(-1) was found to be relatively better than the other two doses examined. Gallium contents of blood and soft tissues remained uninfluenced by the chelation therapy. Significant loss of copper after MiADMSA administration, however, is of concern and requires further exploration. Additionally, further studies are required for the choice of appropriate dose, duration of treatment and possible toxic/side effects. Keeping in view the promising role of MiADMSA in the treatment of GaAs poisoning, these data will be needed for the registration of this chelating agent as licensed drug for the treatment of gallium arsenide intoxication.

Combined administration of oxalic acid, succimer and its analogue for the reversal of gallium arsenide-induced oxidative stress in rats.

Gallium arsenide (GaAs), a group III-VA intermetallic semiconductor, possesses superior electronic and optical properties and has a wide application in the electronics industry. Exposure to GaAs in the semiconductor industry is a potential occupational hazard because cleaning and slicing GaAs ingots to yield the desired wafer could generate GaAs particles. The ability of GaAs to induce oxidative stress has not yet been reported. The present study reports the role of oxidative stress in GaAs-induced haematological and liver disorders and its possible reversal overturn by administration of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and one of its analogue, monoisoamyl DMSA (MiADMSA), either individually or in combination with oxalic acid. While DMSA and MiADMSA are potential arsenic chelators, oxalic acid is reported to be an effective gallium chelator. Male rats were exposed to 10 mg/kg GaAs orally, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. GaAs exposure was then stopped and rats were given a 0.5 mmol/kg dose of succimers (DMSA or MiADMSA), oxalic acid or a combination of the two, intraperitoneally once daily for 5 consecutive days. We found a significant fall in blood delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity and blood glutathione (GSH) level, and an increased urinary excretion of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and an increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in erythrocytes of rats exposed to GaAs. Hepatic GSH levels decreased, whereas there was an increase in GSSG and MDA levels. The results suggest a role of oxidative stress in GaAs-induced haematological and hepatic damage. Administration of DMSA and MiADMSA produced effective recovery in most of the above variables. However, a greater effectiveness of the chelation treatment (i.e. removal of both gallium and arsenic from body organs) could be achieved by combined administration of succimer (DMSA) with oxalic acid since, after MiADMSA administration, a marked loss of essential metals (copper and zinc) is of concern.