Acute zinc intoxication: comparison of the antidotal efficacy of several chelating agents.

Four zinc compounds (acetate, nitrate, chloride and sulfate) were administered po or ip to rats and mice. The LD50 values were determined. Animals were observed for 14 days. The majority of deaths occurred during the first 48 hr. The clinical and physical signs appearing after intoxication included miosis, conjunctivitis, decreased food and water consumption and hemorrhages and hematomas in the tail. These changes decreased with time which would suggest a quick elimination of zinc. To determine the effect of 6 chelating agents on the toxicity of zinc, various doses of zinc acetate (66-330 mg/kg) were given ip to male mice followed by the injection of one of the chelators. DTPA, D-PA, CDTA and EDTA were the most effective. CDTA and DTPA were also the most effective in increasing the urinary excretion of zinc. DTPA appears to be the most effective agent of those tested in the prevention of acute zinc intoxication. However, CDTA may be considered as a possible alternative.