The effect of 2,3-dimercaptopropionic acid on distribution and excretion of 115mCd and 203Hg in rats.

: The effect of 2,3-dimercaptopropionic acid (DMPA) on the excretion and distribution of 115mCd and 203Hg was studied in rats. After a single intravenous injection of 115mCdCl2 (at the dose of 500 micrograms of Cd2+.kg-1 b.wt.) no effect of DMPA on the distribution and excretion of 115mCd was observed. DMPA administration increased biliary and urinary excretion and decreased the content of 115mCd in liver and kidney in rats injected two subcutaneous doses of 115mCdCl2 (each dose 2500 micrograms of Cd2+.kg-1 b.wt.) at 48-hour intervals, five days before DMPA administration. DMPA administration 3 and 6 hours after a single intravenous injection of 203HgCl2 (at the dose of 600 micrograms of Hg2+.kg-1 b.wt.) increased significantly the urinary excretion of 203Hg and decreased 203Hg content in the liver and kidney. Distribution of 203Hg between the high- and low-molecular weight bile fractions (bile fractions 1 and 2) was influenced by DMPA more than in the case of 115mCd. This effect was more pronounced in in vitro than in in vivo experiments.