DMPS (2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate, dimaval) decreases the body burden of mercury in humans exposed to mercurous chloride.

DMPS (2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate, Na salt), when used as a challenge test for mercury in workers involved in the production of a calomel skin-bleaching lotion and in direct contact with mercurous chloride, elevated urine levels of mercury. A DMPS treatment regimen was devised and initiated. Three days after the challenge test, DMPS was administered p.o. (400 mg per day) for 8 days, followed by a no-treatment period of five days. A new cycle of DMPS treatment for 7 days was initiated and followed by 5 days without treatment. A third period of treatment was begun for 6 days, followed by a 5-day no-treatment period. The urinary mercury greatly increased during those periods when DMPS was administered (1754, 314, and 173 microgram/24 h for the periods 1, 2 and 3, compared with 106, 48 and 53 microgram/24 h on the corresponding no-treatment periods). One of the workers presented signs of drug intolerance and was discharged after receiving the first cycle of treatment. DMPS treatment was effective in lowering the body burden of mercury and in decreasing the urinary mercury concentration to normal levels.

[Mobilization of lead in patients with chronic poisoning by that metal. Oral penicillamine]. / Movilización de plomo en pacientes con intoxicación crónica por el metal. Penicilamina oral.

Penicillamine was administered, per os, in patients who had been working with lead for several years, showing signs and symptoms suggesting chronic lead intoxication, so as to evaluated the test of lead chelation. A positive response allowed further treatment. Daily elimination of urinary lead, delta-aminolevulinic acid and coproporphyrin were evaluated. Weekly assays of hematic lead, protoporphyrin IX and the activity of the enzyme delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase were performed. The result show penicillamine to be an alternative to ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid in the chelatable lead mobilization test and prove that it is an excellent alternative in the treatment of chronic lead intoxication.

[Evaluation of the activity of creatine phosphokinase for the detection of carriers of Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy in families in the city of Monterrey, Mexico]. / Evaluación de la actividad de la creatinofosfocinasa (CPK) para la detección de portadoras de distrofia muscular tipo Duchenne en familias de la ciudad de Monterrey, México.

The activity of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was determined in 80 female members of 23 families with affected members of Duchenne type muscular dystrophy (DMD) and compared with the values of a control group of 100 unaffected women. The control group values exhibited a normal distribution of frequency with a mean of 21 U/L and standard deviation from the mean of 7.9 U/L. Sixty nine percent (11/16) of obligatory carriers showed CPK values higher than the mean of the control group plus two standard deviations of the mean. Thirty one percent (5/16) had false negative values. These percentages are similar to those reported in other studies. Elevated CPK activity was found in 45% (18/40) of type A possible carriers (relatives of obligatory carriers) and the group of possible carriers type B (mothers and relatives of isolated cases) 42% (10/24) exhibited high CPK values. Bayesian analysis was also used in all possible-carriers (A and B). We also report an estimation of the fertility of the DMD gene carriers and of their attitude towards family planning. It is concluded that the determination of serum CPK activity, despite its shortcomings, associated with Bayesian analysis when necessary, could be the method of choice for quick and inexpensive evaluation of the carrier status, mainly in families with members affected by DMD.