Effect of some arsenic antagonists on the toxicity, distribution and excretion of arsenite and arsenate in rats.

1. Arsenite and arsenate poisoned rats were treated with either BAL (2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol), penicillamine (PA) (beta-beta dimethyl cystein) or selenium (Se) (as sodium selenite). 2. The minimal dose of each antagonist that treated arsenic-induced lethality (causing 100% survival) was the same for both arsenite and arsenate. 3. Arsenic mobilization from the tissues (blood, kidney, liver, lungs, spleen, muscles, brain, heart) and its excretion in urine and feces were higher in arsenite-intoxicated animals than in arsenate-intoxicated ones. 4. The effect of each antagonist, when injected alone, on the urinary and fecal excretion of endogenous metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Ca and Mg) was also examined. 5. The results indicated marked differences in the relative ability of BAL, PA and Se to increase the excretion of the metals.